NEWS — OCTOBER 20, 2003 - OCTOBER 26, 2003
COSMETIC SURGERY SERVICES & MEDICAL SPAS
In The United States:
Cosmetic Changes Are Being Celebrated... with "coming out" parties, as procedures become part of mainstream American culture. As reported in the October 22nd issue of The New York Times, patients showcased their improved appearances by walking down a runway at one recent event. Physicians who want to exhibit their skills may recommend cosmetic surgery parties to their patients, which can lead to referrals. Others use patients in advertising campaigns.
While all of this may seem to be about vanity, at least one psychologists suggests that society has become more accepting of ways individuals can choose to change their bodies. Those individuals are mostly women. Estimates offered by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS; Arlington Heights IL) note that women accounted for 85% of the patients who underwent cosmetic procedures in 2002.
High Satisfaction Rates Associated With Cosmetic Surgery... are apparently temporary, according to research conducted at Stanford University Medical Center (Stanford CA). The findings of a 27-patient study were published this week. In response to queries made during a 30-month period of time after laser resurfacing was performed, patients remained satisfied overall.
The percent of patients who felt the procedure met their expectations tended to decrease with time. Specifically, while 85% gave favorable responses after three months, only 54% did so after 30 months. This small study could be the first to address after-procedure patient perceptions. From a physician's perspective, the limitations of cosmetic surgery are an important factor to discuss with patients beforehand to counteract unrealistic expectations. For example, laser resurfacing is highly effective to improve facial appearance by reducing acne scarring, sun-damage, and wrinkles. Some patients, however, may think it is a preventive measure, which it isn't.
Because laser resurfacing involves removing the top layer of skin, patients are sedated during the procedure, and recovery can take two weeks. Pre-procedure assessments indicated that 37% of patients were worried about the outcome. During the procedure, 74% reported pain and discomfort. After the resurfacing had taken place, 96% experienced discomfort which subsided six to 12 days later. Despite reporting lower levels of satisfaction that were reported after 30 months, 71% of study participants indicated they would consider undergoing the procedure again. As with the satisfaction rate, this represents a general decline, especially when compared with the 89% favorable response rate reported at the three-month time point.
The Opening of a New Cosmetic Dentistry and Surgery Center ... known as the Advanced Aesthetics Institute (West Palm Beach FL) is scheduled for November 22nd. With oversight from medical professionals at Johns Hopkins (Baltimore MD), successful operation of the Institute could lead to an expanded business model involving construction of 30 more centers from 2004 through 2009. Cosmo & Co. (West Palm Beach FL), an extremely successful salon that's been in operation for 15 years, will be part of the Advanced Aesthetics Institute.
In related news reported by the Palm Beach Post (www.palmbeachpost.com), Anushka Spa & Sanctuary (Palm Beach Gardens FL), is opening a new center that combines beauty with medical services. The medical facility within the emporium will offer breast augmentation, cosmetic dentistry, and liposculpture, as part of a full line of procedures.
A Botox Course Was Presented at the Annual Scientific Assembly... of the American Academy of Family Physicians in New Orleans last week. Success stories and patient demand may influence some family physicians to consider offering Botox treatments. As the only licensed agent available in the United States for softening facial lines and wrinkles, Botox may be easily added to a practice, if the physician has extensive procedural experience. As noted above, patients are good candidates for cosmetic surgery need to be evaluated to ensure there are realistic expectations and an absence of psychopathology.
Internationally:
Prime Time Television Broadcasts of Cosmetic Makeovers... aren't limited to the United States. As reported by the Canadian press (www.canada.com) in early October, Japanese men and women who participate in the Beauty Coliseum (sic) show receive services that are provided by a panel of experts and a cosmetic surgeon. Changes in facial features are especially popular among Japanese woman, who often have procedures performed on their eyes and noses. Wrinkle reduction is also in demand, as the social stigma once associated with the process has become less of an issue. One source suggests that cosmetic surgery procedures have increased by 50% over 1994 levels and generated an estimated $25.0 million in 2002. The price of a quick procedure to create double eyelids can cost only $400.00. One of the best known cosmetic surgery chains in Japan even publishes a glossy catalog featuring the different procedures and results. Interestingly, however, concerns still exist for some individuals, who choose to make magazine testimonials using assumed names.
By Publicizing Claims Of Job Discrimination... a woman from western China received free cosmetic surgery procedures performed by two hospitals. The first operations focused on her nose and eyes. This month, the second set of procedures focused on her forehead and teeth. This woman contends that her "ugly facial features" contributed to the fact that she hadn't been accepted for any job she sought since 1994. She hopes to "live normally" now.
Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Conferences:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons: With emphasis on "furthering the art and science of plastic surgery", the ASPS/PSEF/ASMS Annual Scientific Meeting has been renamed "Plastic Surgery 2003". The meeting begins next week (October 25th - 29th) in San Diego, California. For more information, visit: www.plasticsurgery.org.
The Medical Spa Conference & Expo: This conference is taking place in Indian Wells, California, from November 2nd - 5th. With coverage of a range of medical spa topics (consumer usage, hydrotherapy, functional assessment, human growth hormone, sports medicine, etc.), the conference is being presented by the Medical Spa Professional Alliance and Medical Media Communication. For more information, visit: www.medspaconference.com.
