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A small study from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil states there may be an increase in visceral fat after having liposuction. These findings are similar to a study done by the University of Colorado School of Medicine about the return of fat after liposuction. What is visceral fat? Visceral fat is the fat around the abdominal organs and heart. This type of fat increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

So, should liposuction be an obsolete procedure? Read More...

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Plastic surgeons treat a wide variety of conditions. Often known more for its cosmetic aspect, the reconstructive aspect of plastic surgery is often overlooked.

On May 1, 2012, 24-year-old Aimee Copeland fell from a zip-line into the Little Tallapoosa River in Georgia. She suffered a gash to the leg which required closure with 22 staples. Unfortunately, a very dangerous from of bacteria infected her wound causing necrotizing fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a basically a plastic surgeon's nightmare. It is also commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria or gangrene. In this type of infection, bacteria very quickly invade the deep tissues and causes tissue death. This dead tissue has to be removed as quickly as possible if a person is to have a chance at surviving. Treatment consists of frequent removal of the infected tissue until the infection is contained. As in the case of Aimee who has lost her left leg up to the hip and some abdominal tissue, necrotizing fasciitis can often result in people losing arms, legs, and even genitalia. This is where the plastic surgeon comes in - removing the devitalized tissue as well as reconstructing the areas after the tissue is debrided. This is the side of plastic surgery that is not glamorous, but fully rewarding.

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She's been called an "oompa loompa," "toast of the town," "tanorexic," "fried to a crisp," "tanning mom," "deeply bronzed," and "half-baked." Patricia Krentcil and her tanning bed addiction has been all over the media. "I've been tanning my whole life, going to the beach, tanning salons and so forth," she commented. On one of her frequent visits to the tanning salon, she allegedly took her fiver-year-old daughter into a booth with her which caused a slight burn.

How frequently Ms. Krentcil wishes to tan is her business. And whether or not she took her child with her into a tanning booth is still in question. The issue that is everyone's business and that is not in question is that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

Forget about the unsightly, skin leathering effect of too much sun. However, if vanity will keep my readers and patients out of the sun, I'll promote that angle. The real concern about tanning, yes, this includes tanning beds, not just natural sunlight, is cancer. It is never too early to protect yourself from the damaging rays of the sun. All skin shades, not just fair-skinned individuals, should wear sunscreen when heading out. Skin cancer does not discriminate.

Hopefully some good can come out of Ms. Krentcil's affinity for tanning. Whether you protect your skin to avoid looking ridiculous, sun damage, premature aging, and/or wrinkles or you protect your skin to decrease your cancer risk, just protect your skin from the sun!!!

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Some people think that every woman would obviously go for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy for breast cancer. Believe it or not, at the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium it was reported that less than 1 in 4 women with health insurance choose to have breast reconstruction. The reasons for this is not fully understood.

The diagnosis of breast cancer itself can be quite overwhelming. For some women, it is a relief that breast reconstruction for an option. For others, it is yet another decision that has to be made in connection with an undesirable situation.

There are many different options reconstructing a breast. A breast implant can be used in some situations. In other situations, tissue from the back or from the abdomen can be used to construct a new breast.

I've heard vanity cited by some women as a reason for not pursuing breast reconstruction. It is not "vain" to want to restore what was originally in place. It is also okay to not want to have breast reconstruction. Whichever route a woman chooses, she should be well-informed.