When an individual has damaged facial bones that need to be replaced by transplant, there can be limitations when they cannot be customized to the specific need and function. This means that people might not be able to regain full use of certain functions following surgery, inhibiting their ability to talk, eat, drink or even swallow even when reconstructive procedures have greatly improved their well-being.

Now to improve just how well certain bone facial reconstruction surgeries allow patients to regain function, there is research being conducted into the use of technologies previously reserved for architecture. Down the road, plastic surgeons may be able to use this topology optimization to design 3D structures (i.e. the facial components to be reconstructed) and ensure that even the tiniest aspects are considered in the design. This technology will take into consideration  blood flow, soft tissue support needed for functions like chewing, and the construction of the sinus passages to ensure that the facial reconstruction gives each patient a fully operable face that works exactly with their anatomy.

Currently, plastic surgeons rely upon tissue and bone fragments taken from other parts of a patient’s body to rebuild compromised facial structures, and while it can make a huge difference in terms of their appearance and facial function, this takes things further continuing the evolution of the plastic surgery field to further change the lives of patients who likely once thought they’d be living with disfigurement or decreased facial function for the rest of their lives.

It might sound like science fiction, but it’s the way medicine is heading. With this happening today, we can only begin to imagine what might be possible further into the future.

The decision to complete a full face transplant, rather than attempting reconstructive surgery is not one that is taken lightly by any plastic surgeon. There are many risks involved from a physical and psychological perspective for the patient which have to be taken into consideration, and as it’s a relatively new procedure in terms of its success in the United States, not everyone can be eligible to receive it.

This latest patient is a 25 year old Dallas man who has had his face seriously damaged due to an electrical accident. He has undergone a series of assessments to determine that reconstructive surgery would be of no benefit to him, so plastic surgeons know that the only option to repair his face would be to allow him to undergo a complete transplant.

So, what’s holding back the decision to make him a candidate? The fact that the prospective patient, Dallas Weins is blind. While he seems to have passed the physical and psychological assessments that determine his eligibility, there is still question if a blind man should be receiving such a life altering treatment. The clinic considering this procedure in Boston does not seem to think this should be a factor, but the Cleveland Clinic (the only other clinic that has successfully completed a facial transplant) would automatically discount him.

Obviously the thought is that his appearance cannot have an impact on his life and self-esteem since he cannot see his appearance himself, or see the reactions of others to his appearance. It’s definitely a subject that’s strongly up for debate and we’d like to know what you think.

Plastic surgeons are encouraged to ensure that patients are choosing to pursue cosmetic surgeries for the right reasons. Clearly, an plastic surgeon willing to perfom surgery to help someone win back a boyfriend by looking like a specific celebrity would have questionable ethics. The fact that these surgeons in Shanghai volunteered to do this surgery for free, deserves even more scrutiny.

Fortunately, with urging from the celebrity herself, Jessica Alba, this woman was talked out of following through with the procedures. A great gesture, though one that should have initially come from local plastic surgeons themselves. According to reports, Alba told 21 year old Xiaoqing “I think you should never have to change yourself like that. If somebody loves you, they’ll love you no matter what.”

The woman has since said that Alba’s message played a major role in her decision to put a stop to the cosmetic procedures. But should it really have come to celebrity outreach to question this prospective patient’s motivations?

Image Via: Flickr

This week, Megan Fox is the one who is being speculated about as people feel they’re looking at a very different person in her new movie Jonah Hex compared to her appearance in the Transformers franchise movies.

Whether or not Megan Fox has had cosmetic surgery isn’t really relevant, the real question is why do people care so much? Celebrities, for many of us represent the ideal, or in the very least, we look at them like we would a soap opera. We analyze celebrity plastic surgery both to consider if it’s something we would do ourselves, and if so what the results may be. We also criticize them for taking things too far and look at them like looking into a fish bowl.

For celebrities like Megan Fox, who has clearly not have a negative experience with cosmetic procedures, we want to know the truth to make informed decisions. Plastic surgery is still something that’s not talked about when it’s done, so the general public rarely has a chance to see what results are like on ordinary people!

If more people begin admitting to plastic surgery, celebrities or not, there wouldn’t be so much curiosity or speculation; individuals could see the results and consider their own future with plastic surgery from learning from other’s experiences.

1. Pain - naturally, there will be some level of pain following any surgery, but extreme pain that persists long after the healing period can occur and patients need to be checked by their plastic surgeon. Pain can indicate infection, a leak, the presence of scar tissue or another issue.

2. Numbness - numbness in the breasts around incision points can occur if there are nerves severed during the procedure.

3. Scars - most plastic surgeons will promise limited to almost no scarring from breast surgery, but if doctors make incisions incorrectly it is possible that there will be more visible scars that do not heal.

4. Infection - there are various potential causes for the risk of infection, and some do result from doctor error during surgery, so finding a cleanly facility with a trustworthy doctor is key.

3D technology is expected to be integrated into the plastic surgery industry in two major ways, both designed to help patients make wise choices about whether or not specific surgical procedures will be right for them. One technology comes from Axis, a technology provider that has created a body scanner that allows patients to see an accurate portrayal of what they’ll look like after a specific surgical procedure.

The other new technology that is expected to surface has an even greater focus on education. Patients who wonder what it will be like to go under the knife, will be given the option to see fairly accurate accounts of their procedure in 3D format. These tutorials will focus on both the positives and the negatives of the procedures in order to help people make smart choices for themselves.

Plastic surgery, for the right reasons, can have endless benefits. But, careful thought should always be put into any decision before going under the knife, and these 3D technologies will help ensure that patients who choose to do so will be pleased with the outcome and have no regrets about the decisions!

Image via: Flickr Creative Commons

1. Ask for a plastic surgeon’s credentials - any reputable plastic surgeon should be happy to provide their educational and professional history along with the appropriate certification records. You can also check with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to confirm a doctor’s history.

2. Know what plastic surgeons require for certification - if you’re asking a plastic surgeron about their history, you should know what they require to be certified. Most plastic surgeons should have attended medical school with 5 years of residency afterwards. Most often, the combination of experience during residency is 3 years of general surgery and 2 years of plastic surgery experience.

3. Ask around - sometimes the best critics are those that have had procedures done themselves. When checking out a plastic surgeon, ask around and get honest opinions from others.

Via: Discovery Health

1. Is there a difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery? plastic surgeons may specialize in one of these areas or both, but all plastic surgeons have the appropriate training to complete cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery is focused upon improving a physical deformity following an accident or illness. Cosmetic surgery is entirely elective by those who want to enhance certain physical traits.

2. Who should get plastic surgery? The best plastic surgery patients are those who are choosing to make physical changes for themselves, not for anyone else. They are also those who have done extensive research about the procedure they’re considering and understand the realistic expectations that they should have.

3. How long does it take to recuperate from plastic surgery? Recovery times vary per procedure. Most plastic surgeons will tell any patient that it takes up to three weeks to recover from most procedures and as little as four days for minor plastic surgery. After a couple of days, patients should be able to care for their basic needs independently, although help may be required to care for children.

Via: MSN Health, Image Via: Flickr Creative Commons

Casting directors have recently spoken to the media about the challenges in hiring some of today’s young actresses who are going to plastic surgery extremes to fit the mould of what they believe to be the ideal Hollywood starlet. The reality is, this is an approach that’s proving to backfire. For roles in movies and on TV, personal character and appearance is important but casting directors are finding that this is disappearing. Many actresses are auditioning for roles with the same “perfect” nose, oversize breasts, and pin-thin waists and they’re being turned down for gigs.

This is giving plastic surgery a bit of a bad reputation. Yes, there is such thing as taking plastic surgery to the extreme; and in many cases, it’s done for the wrong reason. Young women aren’t looking to enhance their own assets; instead they want to become the picture of perfection that they have in their minds. Plastic surgery shouldn’t be used to invent an entirely new image. Women should desire to resemble who they are with a few positive changes whatever their motivations, if that is their desire.

For this reason, the best plastic surgeons around the world should be encouraging their patients to make physical changes that will best suit their bodies and personal features; not how to most closely resemble a barbie doll (or Heidi Montag). Too much plastic surgery can be a career ender, so as with anything, there need to be limits!

Plastic surgery addiction can exist, and as has been speculated about Heidi Montag, it can result from body dysmorphic disorder when an individual doesn’t see their appearance for what it is and remains perpetually unsatisfied with the way they look.

In Montag’s case, having just recovered from her series of surgeries doesn’t mean she’s done. Already, she’s planning her next breast augmentation to make them a larger size. Since the final look of many cosmetic surgery procedures comes out over time, it should be too soon to make a decision which further fuels the belief of plastic sugery addiction.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve appearance, but it needs to be for the right reasons. Patients who are having surgery just for the sake of it, need to take a step back and really consider what they want and wait between having more work done. Those who suffer from body dysmorphic disorders should have counselling in order to overcome their issues with their body before going through more surgeries. Without addressing the root cause of plastic surgery addiction, they’ll never be satisfied with the outcome.

Via: ABC News, Self Improvement Guide .

Image via: Flickr Creative Commons