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
Information about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeon
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
Information about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeon
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

On Cosmetic Surgery Travel/Vacation Packages

I have spent this morning surfing the internet regarding cosmetic surgery travel packages being offered in various countries like Thailand and South Africa.

I believe that the time is ripe for the Philippines to be a major destination for medical tourism. We have many qualified and well-trained doctors who have acquired their postgraduate or fellowship training from well-known institutions in the U.S.A. and have been mentored by leading plastic surgeons.

In my practice, an increasing number of my patients are based abroad. Many of them are immigrants to the United States who come back to the Philippines for a vacation to visit their relatives here. An increasing number of patients are overseas contract workers based in Europe (notably from Italy and Switzerland), the Middle East, Japan, and HongKong. They decided to include cosmetic surgery as part of their vacation because of their trust in our surgical expertise, combined with the fact that costs here are remarkably lower compared to other countries like the U.S. , U.K., Singapore, Australia, and South Africa.

The affordable cost of cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines has also attracted an increasing number of patients of other nationalities. They come to the Philippines to avail of the excellent medical and surgical services that we can offer them. They have also pleasantly discovered the warm hospitality of the Filipinos and the beauty of this tropical paradise of 7,100 islands.

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

Aptos Lift: An Alternative to the Face and Neck Lift

Barbed Sutures, Ultrasonic Body Contouring, Wrinkle Fillers Give Patients More Innovative, Non-Surgical Options (October 14, 2004) — Patients without time for a facelift or intimidated by surgery now have more minimally invasive options that produce effective results. Barbed sutures, ultrasonic body contouring and soft tissue fillers, three emerging trends in the plastic surgery industry, offer patients faster results without the downtime of surgery. > full story from http://www.sciencedaily.com

In the Philippines, cosmetic surgeons are just beginning to use barbed sutures as an alternative to facelift surgery. The attraction this offers to patients is that it does not involve extensive surgery with its attendant risks, hospitalization, nor long periods of recovery from the swelling and bruising that invariably accompanies facelift surgery. The Philippine Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons has taken the lead in informing all practicing plastic surgeons and residents about this new technique. There will be a seminar at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Greenhills, San Juan, Philippines about the use of barbed sutures, more commonly known as "Aptos threads," on Wednesday, November 3, 2004.

More about the Aptos Thread Lift

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

The Cosmetic Surgery in the Philippines

Cosmetic surgery is very affordable in the Philippines and there is an increasing number of Filipinos each year who decide to undergo various cosmetic surgery procedures. The greater acceptance and growth of cosmetic surgery among the general public has encouraged more doctors to enter this field. In the Philippines however, any licensed medical doctor can perform any kind of cosmetic surgery without legal impediment. Any doctor can label himself or herself as a "cosmetic surgeon".

Patients considering cosmetic surgery should know that choosing the right surgeon is the single most important decision they will make. Be sure to have all the facts you need in order to make an informed judgement. The training and experience of your cosmetic surgeon is the most important factor in the success of your surgery.

More on The Cosmetic Surgery Scene in the Philippines

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