Teens Against Plastic Surgery

For many years, young minds have been greatly influenced by their favorite Hollywood stars – from their clothing and hair, to the products they sell or buy. Recently, with the sudden increase in publicly admitting that one has had some type of cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, teens are voicing their thoughts on the matter, and most are against cosmetic enhancements.

In a recent article written by a high school senior in Florida, the idea of altering one’s face or body is not something that teens see as a positive example. Many of today’s young stars claim that they want their fans to feel confident and secure with themselves, yet they contradict this by undergoing one or more cosmetic procedures. According the article, some actress may even risk their careers when having surgery, such as Jennifer Grey from such movies as “Dirty Dancing” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Had she not undergone nose surgery, Grey may have led a more successful career, whereas now she has virtually disappeared from Hollywood. Although some actresses have minimal enhancement in order to maintain a refreshed appearance, some have gone overboard with their surgeries. In the eyes of their fans, all things must be done in moderation and at an appropriate age – and those in their teens and 20s are much too young.

If you are interested in a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, you may wish to contact Leonard M. Hochstein, M.D. of the Aventura/Miami area. He is a specialist in facelift surgery, breast augmentation, and tummy tuck surgery.

Plastic Surgery on the Rise

The economic status throughout the country has caused many individuals to cut back on certain luxuries; however, the rate of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures being performed continues to rise. In a recent survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), procedures such as eyelid surgery, tummy tuck surgery, and rhinoplasty have seen a significant increase in the last five years.

Along with doctors in the AACS, other surgeons have also seen an influx in patients. Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), Robert D. Wilcox, M.D. of Plano, Texas has maintained a steady flow of patients as the financial woes have taken their toll. Due to the variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures offered at his practice, including Fraxel lasers for skin rejuvenation and Botox ® injections. Dr. Wilcox performs face, breasts, and body- enhancing procedures to help patients achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. By combining a surgical procedure with a non-invasive treatment, patients have the ability to fulfill their desired goal in one setting.

If you are in the Dallas/Plano areas, you may wish to contact Dr. Wilcox to learn more regarding these procedures, such as facial fillers and rhinoplasty in Dallas . He can provide you with detailed information on your options. When under Dr. Wilcox’s care, you may anticipate satisfying and natural-looking results.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Abroad?

While there are risks involved with medical tourism, plastic surgery is often seen as a luxury to those who have the financials means of paying for it. For some, going to other countries where it may appear cheaper is increasingly becoming a worldwide trend; recently, an Australian teen was said to be heading to Malaysia in order to undergo body rejuvenating procedures. In Beverly Hills, Stuart A. Linder, M.D., F.A.C.S. often sees patients from afar. Along with individuals from across the country, those from out of the country have also inquired about plastic surgery procedures at Dr. Linder’s office.

A specialist in breast and body enhancing procedures, the practice of Dr. Linder is often visited by patients from such countries as Canada, Australia, Spain, and Norway. His qualifications and experience have led to several successful outcomes. Some of his most commonly requested procedures include breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, liposuction, and tummy tuck surgery. In fact, many women who have experienced multiple pregnancies often undergo a combination of these surgeries in order to attain optimal results. When meeting with Dr. Linder, you can discuss your problem areas and learn of your body contouring options.

If you are interested in undergoing a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure with internationally known Dr. Linder, you may visit his website to schedule an appointment. You may also view before and after photos of those who have previously undergone body enhancing procedures in Beverly Hills.

Robot Surgery: Like Playing a Video Game!

Gamers, check it out!

You have the manual dexterity necessary to become a top surgeon! Using a robot, no less.

Says a top surgeon: “Using the da Vinci surgical robot is almost like paying a video game, like Play Station 3.” So declares Michael Hibner, M.D., director of gynecological surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Read more.



A game hip surgeon working a surgical robot.
(Arizona Republic photo)

Breast Augmentation

So hey, why continue in your present job when you can game all day? And help people, too. (Of course, you have to graduate from medical school but, hey, that’s only eight years or so.)

One surgeon already tried using a robot for breast augmentation but she says she could not get the results she wanted. More.

Human Fat for Biofuel?

Many websites and newspapers reported a scheme wherein a Norwegian businessman living in Miami concocted a scheme to collect 3000 gallons of U.S. liposuction fat and turn it into 2600 gallons of bio-diesel.

Imagine the possibilities! Vehicles of a whole nation powered by cheeseburgers, gooey chocolate deserts and gallons of ice cream. All while sharply reducing foreign oil imports and flabby waist lines at home!


Will this take your car 40 miles?

And cremation? Forget about it! Just write in your will you want to become auto or truck fuel and spend, if not eternity, at least oh, maybe 40 to 50 miles burning with a little diesel fuel or some liquid corn! Maybe our bios from now on will list how many miles per gallon we’re worth. I can imagine future obituaries: “Man Mountain Dean was a big, big man. At six-foot-five and 300 pounds, he could send a Toyota 4 Wheel Drive Truck on a 2000-mile journey. And that was after death!”

Anybody ever see the 1970-ish Charles Heston movie Soylent Green? You could call this liposuction plan Soylent Gas.

Read More about the scheme to collect human fat for fuel.

Only trouble is, there are about a gazillion rules and regulations relating to what can be done with medical waste. Sending it to recycling centers with used French fry oil are noticeably absent.

Besides, the hospital says they never heard of the guy, hardly do any liposuction work and serve a low-income area where people tend not to get fat because they don’t eat all that often.

Falling for the bogus story was the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, U.P.I. and the Pittsburg Post-Gazette, among many other web sites.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it will probably be in your morning newspaper!

What’s your favorite bogus story? (We list ours below.)

[] New Plastic Surgery Freeway in Beverly Hills.


Convenient off ramps at Tummy Tuck Place,
Liposuction Drive and other popular motoring
destinations in and around Beverly Hills.


[] Plastic Surgery Shapes Patients Ears like Elves’ for Better Hearing.


Pointed ears, collect the sound of music better.

[] “Miracle” Plastic Surgery Tape beats Real Surgery


Your humble blogger undergoing the rigors of
plastic surgery by tape.

Do Movies Influence Plastic Surgery?

If you’ve followed our blog, you already know some movies have used plastic surgery as a plot gimmick. (See
the posts on the films Time and 200 Pounds of Beauty.)

But do the movies influence the plastic surgeries that people want?

300 Pounds of Pecs?

One of 2006’s favorite movies was “300,” about the last stand of 300 Spartan soldiers in 480 B.C. when those few Greeks held off an invading army of invading Persians, got killed in the process but saved all of Greece.

Virtually all the actors playing Greeks had massively developed chest muscles (pectoralis major). Hey, just call them “pecs” like serious weight lifters do. But to the Persians, it must have looked like they had to fight through a wall of buff chests.



In a case where life may be imitating art, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported the number of pec implants increased 99 percent, jumping from a mere 209 in 2005. (There were no reports at all of pec implants in 2004.) Read more about the Pectoral Augmentation surgery.

A pec implant is something you really, really must want. According to a San Francisco Chronicle article, pec implants alone cost $1600 a pair. The surgery to implant them runs from $7000 to $9000. Read more.


(Pec implant before and after photos, courtesy of Sam Gershaum, M.D.)

So -- movies not withstanding -- why would a guy pony up that much for a buff, square chest? Tired of having sand kicked in his face? Always the last guy picked for touch football pickup games? Need to hold off a Persian army, maybe?

Actually, a personal trainer says the appeal is projecting power, strength, health and virility. Others in the know say some other psychological benefits are providing a really nice place for the weary heads of significant others to rest upon.

And isn’t that a sweet gesture with Valentine’s Day approaching?

Any readers out there ever had a pec implant? What’s it like?

Read more about the costs of plastic surgery.

Top 10 Extreme Plastic Surgeries

1. Belly Button Surgery

Some people with “innies” want “outies” and vice-versa. Technically, the operation is known as an umbilicoplasty. Read more.

2. Toe-Besity Surgery



Got tubbie toes? Stubby toes? Slim them! More.

3. Eyebrow Transplants

There’s no woe like skimpy or no eyebrow woe! More.

4. Foot Facelift



A toe may be too long or short; maybe it’s the dreaded “high heel foot” condition or corns, bunions or hammertoes. Solution? Anything but sensible shoes. Puh-lease! Better: a toe tuck and foot facelift to look good in sandals.

5. Ear on the Forearm

You don’t see a lot of this but one “performance” artist
implanted a more-or-less real human ear on his forearm. Something to do
with seeing what he is hearing? I don’t get it either but, hey,
today’s avant garde is tomorrow’s ho-hum. More.


This is not Photoshopped. The ear
was grown from human cells in a
Petri dish in a university lab.

6. Rib Removal

I always thought this was taken care of in the Garden of Eden. Anyhow, some women who want an hourglass shaped figure have two or three ribs removed. But the patient also must have a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) for the whole concept to come together. More.


A patient shows her new waist just after her surgery, left,
and after things have healed better.


7. The Human Barbie

Sarah Burge, 46, an English woman, has had 26 plastic surgeries over the last 20 years, trying to make herself look like Barbie. It’s actually quite a lonely life because there is no Ken in sight. Any volunteers, guys? It has only cost Sarah $351,775 to get a certain Barbie look. So far, that is. More.

8. Plastic Surgery for Kangaroos.



Feznick, a popular Hollywood movie star, (well, in roles that call for a kangaroo,
anyhow,) was bit by one of his neighbors where a lot of acting animals live. Hey,
this is California, you know! Because his close-ups would be ruined, he had
plastic surgery on his snout. More

9. Michael Jackson

Need we say more? Some plastic surgeons figure 10 to 15 surgeries on that nose. More

10.Jocelyn Wildenstein

Ha! You didn’t think we could top Michael Jackson, huh? Jocelyn’s bill for plastic surgery -- no wait, make that bad plastic surgery -- is said to be over 3 million dollars, thanks to a multi-million dollar inheritance. More.


Jocelyn, aka “The Cat Woman”