Can you guess how old the practice of plastic surgery is? Is it 50 years? Is it maybe 100 years? OK, maybe if we stretch what we define as surgery, maybe it’s 200 years old.

Well, guess again.

According to an article at brainz.org, the practice of plastic surgery is more than 4,000 years old! Here’s a bit from the article:

The early beginnings of plastic surgery started more than 4,000 years ago and it usually came in the form of correcting injuries in the facial area. In Ancient India, skin grafts were used for various reconstructive procedures done to the face. In fact, a method of rhinoplasty that involved getting skin from the forehead or cheek was kept secret for hundreds of years in India. In fact, plastic surgery was more accepted in the East at the time. The whole concept of reconstructive surgery was slow to be accepted in Europe. But medical progress di happen in ancient Rome in terms of advancements in plastic surgery. For example, Aulus Cornelius Celsus (probably one of the earliest plastic surgeons) wrote the tome De Medicina. The book describes the different surgical methods for reconstructing the lips, nose and ears – parts of the face that are usually injured during wars and battles.

The Renaissance brought with it an increased interest in plastic surgery in Europe. One of the methods discussed during this time were treatments for gynecomastia, which is seen as a precursor to the eventual development of breast reduction surgical methods.

» Read the full article

Thought that would be a fun one to share.

Of course, if you live in the Colorado Springs and you’re considering plastic surgery, of course you get advanced, modern-day plastic surgery procedures from Dr. Greg Liebscher. Procedures include facelifts, breast lifts, breast implants, liposuction, and more. Call to schedule a free, in-person consultation with Dr. Liebscher. Consultations for certain conditions and procedures may be covered by insurance.

» More about: Dr. Greg Liebscher, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon

When it comes to trying to improve your appearance, it can be tempting to try to save money and time by doing it yourself by buying and applying products sold at a store or online. Well, according to a recent article by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, you should be warned of health risks of do-it-yourself treatments. Here’s a bit from the article:

CBS Pittsburgh reports that plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists are seeing an increase in individuals who have had to endure pain and long-term skin damage due to some at-home treatments.

 

“We’ve had patients come in the day before their daughter’s wedding and done an at-home chemical peel and come in with second degree burns,” a Pennsylvania-based cosmetic dermatologist told the news provider.

 

Experts say that although prescription-strength acids used for chemical peels can be found online and obtained without a prescription, consumers should avoid them.

 

“If you stumble upon a website selling prescription-strength retinoid, that should be a red flag and [you should] seek professional help first … because there are certain reactions that can happen and certain products you don’t want to mix together with those,” the dermatologist told CBS Pittsburgh.

 

Caution also needs to be used when trying a do-it-yourself laser hair removal, as misuse can cause burning, redness and scarring. In-office treatments are also likely to be much more successful.

 

» Read the full article: “Doctors warn against do-it-yourself treatments”

Save yourself a trip to the emergency room. Don’t do something you’re going to regret for a long time. Get the medical opinion from a trusted and board-certified physician before you attempt any do-it-yourself cosmetic treatment.

If you live in the Colorado Springs area, you’re highly encouraged to reach out to a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Greg Leibscher, who can discuss your treatment options and explain important safety considerations with you.

» More about: Dr. Greb Liebscher, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon

According to a blog post from the The American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery blog, more people are electing to have plastic surgery procedures at later ages. Of course, the success and safety of plastic surgery at later ages depends upon the individual’s overall health.

Here’s a bit from the article:

Americans are living longer than ever. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average life expectancy for Americans is now 78.5 years. And with this increased rate comes new questions concerning lifestyle, fitness and beauty.

“The most noteworthy aspect about all this is not just that people are living longer but living better,” Dr. Gary Kennedy, director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center, told the New York Times. “At the same time, people are living a longer active lifespan. Seniors are healthier, more active and economically better off than they ever have been.”

The fact that people are living longer may mean more seniors are opting for plastic surgery procedures in order to maintain a youthful appearance. Doctors say that there isn’t a magic number on how old is too old for various cosmetic procedures. Some people choose to improve their appearance in their 70s and 80s, according to KESQ-TV News. However, patients who wish to undergo surgical procedures in which general anesthesia is necessary must get medical clearance first.

Read the full article here: “No Age Limit for Plastic Surgery?”

If you’re older and are considering plastic surgery living in Colorado Springs, be sure to consult with a board-certified Colorado Springs plastic surgeon. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of your procedure in great detail. In most cases, consultations are provided free of charge.

Dr. Greg Liebscher, of Colorado Springs, is a board-certified and Mayo Clinic-trained plastic surgeon. You can contact Dr. Liebscher’s office to schedule a complimentary and private in-person consultation. Procedures may include facelift, breast augmentation, liposuction, forehead lift, eyelid lift, and more.

» More about: Dr. Greg Liebscher, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon

According to an American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery article, it’s important to know that you might eventually need more care if you’ve had breast implants surgery.

Here’s a bit from the article:

A well-informed consumer will have the best results

Whether you’re wearing a tank top, bathing suit or cocktail dress, there’s no better accompaniment than well-shaped breasts. Though an “A” bra cup size will not qualify you for disability insurance, those that go forth with a flat chest sometimes feel like they’re operating with a handicap. To prove this point, since 1962, between five and ten million unendowed, poorly endowed or otherwise dissatisfied women, worldwide, including an estimated 1.5 to 2.5 million in the United States, have undergonebreast implant surgery.

But, it’s not like you can get breast implants and walk off into the sunset. Just like your BMW, roof or pacemaker, breast implantshave no lifetime guarantee and are likely to need maintenance or replacement. Breast implants recently made headlines in Europe when it was discovered that silicone implants manufactured by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) had an abnormally high rupture rate. According to Reuters, December 27, 2011, “That risk, though typically low, is present in all implants.”

In Britain and the United States, breast enlargement is the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure and there’s nothing to suggest that will change. With the recent PIP health scare, there will probably be increased efforts to make sure that consumers are well informed.  The British Implant Information Society says on its website, “Breast implants do not last a lifetime; they will need replacing at some point in the future.”

» Go to: Read the full article

About Dr. Greg Liebscher, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Greg Liebscher is a Mayo Clinic-trained and board-certified Colorado Springs plastic surgeon. Plastic and reconstructive procedures include breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, eyelid lift, forehead lift.

» More about: Breast Augmentation

» More about: Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon – Greg Liebscher, MD, FACS

Many people might think about earlobe surgery as a means to enhance one’s appearance. Here’s a bit from an article on the subject:

December 28, 2011

Doctors say earlobe surgery can take years off your appearance

Many people who want to achieve a more youthful appearance focus on their faces and necks with surgeries such as facelifts and non-surgical procedures such as fat injections and Botox injections. However, some are also choosing to have their ear lobes repaired.

“It is no secret that more women are having what could be called a ‘lobe job’.” BeautyInTheBag.com’s Wendy Lewis recently told The Daily Mail newspaper. “Gravity takes its toll on earlobes – they droop like chins and breasts do, and can make you look older.Years of wearing heavy earrings also cause the lobe to get stretched out of shape. An earlobe reduction is a simple [operation] that reshapes the earlobe to a better proportion.”

» Full article: Doctors say earlobe surgery can take years off your appearance.

- -

Greg Liebscher, MD, FACS, is a Mayo Clinic-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon in Colorado Springs, CO.

» More about: Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Greg Liebscher

If you could look more like a celebrity, who would it be? According the to American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, it’s quite common for people to emulate the looks of celebrities with plastic surgery. Here’s a bit of the article:

Most sought-after celebrity looks

Many people choose to undergo plastic surgery to enhance their appearance. However, doctors say that a lot of patients come into their offices with a certain celebrity feature they want to achieve through their surgery.

A group of British plastic surgeons recently identified the celebrities that most people want to look like with the help of cosmetic surgeries.

“Patients continue to look to Hollywood to determine their standard of beauty, but they are realistic in their desires to look more energetic and youthful, as well as completely natural,” one doctor told HarleyMedical.co.uk.

Among patients who want body-transforming surgeries such as liposuction, body contouring and tummy tucks, the most sought-after celebrity looks include actress Jennifer Aniston and supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

When it comes to nose jobs, doctors say many patients want theirs to resemble Natalie Portman’s or Emma Stone’s.

Those who want non-surgical procedures to appear more youthful through the use of microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser treatments and Botox injections say celebrities such as Amy Adams, Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow look great.

Read the rest of the article here: Most sought-after celebrity looks

- -

ABOUT GREGORY J. LIEBSCHER, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Greg Liebscher is a Mayo Clinic-trained and board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Plastic and reconstructive procedures include breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, eyelid lift, forehead lift.

» More about: Gregory J. Liebscher, MD, FACS – Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon

If you’re considering plastic surgery and you are a smoker, please read this article from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery:

http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/undergoing-plastic-surgery-surgeon-smoking-habit-1035871

Here’s a bit from the article:

Smoking and plastic surgery are like oil and water, especially if you undergo breast lift,tummy tuck or facelift. Most shocking news is that a smoker who undergoes a breast lift may lose her nipples.

According to a Detroit plastic surgeon, as told to CNN on December 5, 2011, “The nicotine in cigarettes and the carbon monoxide contained in cigarette smoke can diminish blood flow to various parts of the body. These toxins act as a virtual tourniquet. If the blood flow to a particular body part becomes greatly reduced or halted, the body part dies.”

He is speaking from experience. While undergoing a breast lift, he saw a smoker’s nipples turn purple. He understood that purple is the precursor to black and black is the precursor to “falling off.” Think frostbite.

- -

Gregory J. Liebscher, MD, FACS, is a Mayo Clinic-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

» More about: Gregory J. Liebscher, MD, FACS, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon

Welcome to the new springsplasticsurgery.com.

We’ve freshened the site up a bit and added a few new features to include a news blog.

If you have any comments or suggestions to improve this site, please contact us or leave a comment below.

Thanks.

- -

Greg Liebscher