Preventing Complications in Aesthetic Surgery

One of the most interesting comments I heard at the 9th International Congress of the Oriental Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Bangkok came from Dr. Thomas Biggs, Editor-in-Chief of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal. He said that many of the surgical complications occur during the first week following an international congress in plastic surgery. There was an uproar of laughter from the audience following that comment, because there was indeed a grain of truth in that comment by Dr. Biggs.

Many of the presentations in any international conference deal with new techniques in surgery. Sometimes there is too much emphasis on the techniques, and not much attention is given to the indications for the technique and proper patient selection. Sometimes an overeager presentor may skip or overlook certain details. Sometimes generalizations are made, which may not be necessarily true.

The unwary surgeon in the audience who will then apply the new technique may then be faced with complications he/she is not prepared to deal with. There is a learning curve with any new surgical technique. It is encumbent on the surgeon to practice good surgical judgement. Oftentimes, one of the most reassuring experiences in any meeting is the confirmation of the validity and effectivity of old, tried and tested techniques.

Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Philippines
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and having cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines

New Technique for Breast Lift

In one of my earlier blogs, I wrote about the Aptos facelift innovation by the Russian plastic surgeon, Dr. Marlen Sulamanidze. At the 9th International Congress of the Oriental Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sulamanidze demonstrated the breast lift using the Aptos technique.

During the live surgery demonstration at the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Dr. Sulamanidze showed us how sagging breasts can be lifted using the Aptos suture suspension technique. Four Aptos 2-0 polypropylene sutures are placed 2 cm deep in the breast tissue and are threaded around the clavicle bone in order to mechanically lift sagging breasts.

The advantage of this technique is that it avoids the vertical or T-shaped scars below the nipple-areola complex in conventional breast lift or mastopexy operations. This is a major benefit for patients who are afraid of getting scars around their breasts.

More about the Aptos Thread Lift

Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Philippines
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and having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines

Cosmetic Surgery Conference in Thailand

I recently attended the 9th International Congress of the Oriental Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery held from December 6 to 10, in Bangkok, Thailand. This congress was attended mainly by plastic surgeons from the different countries in Asia: Philippines, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and of course, Thailand. There were formal presentations or lectures during the first 3 days at the Shangri-la Hotel ballrooms, followed by live surgery demonstrations at the Siriraj Hospital the next two days.

The two main guest speakers from the U.S.A. were Dr. Thomas Biggs and Dr. Mutaz Habal, who both gave excellent plenary lectures.

The trend that I noted throughout the conference was the emphasis on surgical procedures that could get the maximum cosmetic results with the minimum of risks. This I will expound on later, after I finish catching up with the pile of work that has accumulated in my absence.

Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Philippines
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and having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines

When to undergo cosmetic surgery?

When is the right time to undergo cosmetic surgery?

Many magazine articles nowadays encourage young patients to undergo cosmetic surgery at an earlier age. It used to be the case that patients started having facial rejuvenation surgery at the age of 4o years. However I now see patients who have such surgery in their mid-twenties and thirties. These articles claim that cosmetic surgery done at a younger age will have longer lasting results, and that major surgery at a later age will be prevented if little "nips and tucks" are done while the patient is younger.

There are many factors to consider in the timing of cosmetic surgery. Physical indications are the most obvious. However the presence of wrinkled sagging skin by itself is not sufficient for one to have cosmetic surgery. Emotional factors are important to consider. If the person is not bothered by the wrinkles and the eyebags, I see no reason to encourage them to have cosmetic surgery. I respect the decision of people to grow old gracefully. I do not have any business telling them that they should have rejuvenation surgery.

The support of one's spouse or family is also an important consideration. The results of cosmetic surgery may be "perfect," but if the spouse or family does not support the patient in his/her decision to undergo the surgery, the patient will not feel fully satisfied.

It is thus important to have a lengthy pre-operative consultation in order to determine whether or not a patient will benefit from cosmetic surgery. If a patient's expectations are unrealistic, I discourage the patient from proceeding with cosmetic surgery. For example, wives,who undergo cosmetic surgery so that their philandering husbands will leave their mistresses, will feel unsatisfied even if the surgical results are "perfect" if their husbands continue on with their philandering.

Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Philippines
Information about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeon
and having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines