More and more plastic surgeons are reporting that they’re seeing patients who come into their offices with unrealistic expectations. This is due in large part to social media and the instant ability it gives people to easily edit and manipulate their photos.

For example, the social media giant Snap Chat has sophisticated tools that enable people to apply filters to a picture of their face. They can give themselves plump lips, remove blemishes, and even change the way their eyes look.

These social media companies make the filters available for entertainment purposes, but many people are starting to use them as a model of what they want to look like.

They will come into the office of a plastic surgeon and instead of showing them what they want to be fixed in the mirror, they will show off several highly edited photos on their social media accounts.

The problem with people using their highly edited social media pictures is that the result they’re looking for is not possible in many cases. The social media companies made these filters for entertainment purposes only.

It’s impossible for people to have big cartoonish eyes or large puffy lips that go above and beyond what injectables can deliver.

We’re going to look at the trend of people wanting to get plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments to help them look more like the filters they see on their photos on social media.

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

An article was published in the JAMA Plastic Surgery online website that claims more and more people are suffering from a condition known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). They say it’s fueled in significant part by the social media companies enabling filtering of photos that can create unrealistic pictures of people.

BDD is a mental condition in which a person is obsessed and focused on an imagined physical defect that other people cannot see. The filters on these social media sites allow people to take their pictures and edit them beyond what’s possible with plastic surgery and cosmetic injectables. BDD can lead to self-harming and other potentially dangerous situations for those who suffer from it.

What’s Behind the Rise of BDD?

We wrote an article about social media and the perception of plastic surgery a few months ago. In it, we explored how the social media sites are causing some people mental anguish and issues because they don’t look like their favorite celebrity.

The main reason for the increase in BDD cases is due to social media and people who have severe body image issues. When they are given filters and the instantaneous ability to change the look of their face or bodies, it can cause them to obsess and worry over their current looks.

They don’t quite understand that plastic surgery and injectables can only help out so much. It’s physically impossible to have plastic surgery to make your eyes or other body parts look like a cartoon character.

Unrealistic Expectations

Some surgeons from Johns Hopkins are reporting at least one person per week is coming up to them and asking to give them unrealistic results, such as:

• Flawless skin
• Refined nose
• Narrowed jawlines
• Oversized lips and eyes

These people are usually between the ages of 17 and 22 and are unable to distinguish fantasy from reality. The same study found that around 13% of prospective cosmetic surgery patients suffer from BDD.

A New Trend or Business as Usual?

While this may seem like an alarming new trend, it’s not new to most plastic surgeons. Before the advent of the internet and social media, people used to bring in heavily airbrushed photos of celebrities they see in the glamor magazines at the supermarket checkout stand.

The challenge then, as it is now, is that if you don’t share some physical similarities between you and the celebrity, it’s going to be impossible for a plastic surgeon to give you an exact look you want.

Social Media is Here to Stay

Social media is going to be around for a long time. The filters and abilities to edit photos can come in handy, provided that people have realistic expectations about what plastic surgery can and can’t fix. However, they shouldn’t be used as an indication of what’s physically possible with invasive or non-invasive surgical procedures. Only a qualified plastic surgeon can make that call.

As time goes by, it stands to reason that the filters on Snap Chat and other social media giants will get better and better and people will continue to stream into the offices of plastic surgeons with unrealistic expectations.

Plastic Surgeon in Dallas

If you are interested in learning more about what plastic surgery and injectables can and can’t do, or if you would like a consultation to see if the look you’re after is possible, give us a call at (214) 965-9885 or contact us via our website.

If you wanted to see a doctor just ten short years ago, it was a real hassle. First, you’d have to make an appointment and hope they could see you in two to three weeks. Then on the day of your appointment, you’d have to fight traffic to get to the office where you would wait in a packed waiting room filled with coughing and sneezing people.

A doctor’s visit in those days was (and in many cases still is) a half-day affair.

Thanks to modern technology, doctor appointments are now being handled online. All you need is a high-speed internet connection, your laptop, and a webcam. The doctor will meet you online at a specified date and time where he will give you your consultation.

While virtual doctor consultations may sound like something straight out of Star Trek, they have their drawbacks. We’re going to look at the pros and cons of virtual consultations and give you enough information to make an informed decision.

What Benefits Are There to Virtual Consultations?

The main benefit of these online consultations is convenience. This especially goes for plastic surgeons whose services are sought out by people all over the country. Dr. Adams has built a reputation over the years as being THE go-to surgeon for many plastic surgery procedures. Many patients don’t want to take a chance on other surgeons because the success of their procedure is very important to them.

Convenience

When it comes to plastic surgery, not all board-certified surgeons are the same. Many plastic surgery procedures, such as rhinoplasty, are all about aesthetics and require not only a trained hand, but an eye for beauty and asymmetry.

Best chances of success and patient happiness come from doctors who have an artistic hand and eye for beauty. Many people from different states will travel long distances to get their procedure performed by Dr. Adams.

The issue with traveling is that it can cost upwards of several hundred to a few thousand dollars once you factor in airfare, hotel, food, car rental, and misc. expenses. This is where a virtual consultation is beneficial. The patient can log online and speak directly to Dr. Adams in real time where he will listen to your concerns and give his recommendations.

Post-operative Care

Many procedures performed by Dr. Adams will require follow-up doctor visits a few weeks to a few months after they have been completed. Some people may find that taking time out of their busy day to drive in traffic to his office may be inconvenient.

The same goes for patients who flew into Dallas to get work done. Dr. Adams can consult virtually, thereby eliminating the need for you to come into his office. This will save you both time and money.

Second Opinion

If you would like a second opinion on work you have gotten done or would like to do, a virtual consultation with Dr. Adams would also be very beneficial. It will give you peace of mind knowing that a 2nd surgeon agrees or disagrees with the initial consultation that you received from your first doctor.

Downsides to Virtual Consultation

Despite the many conveniences that virtual surgeon consultations offer, there are a few downsides:

Technology

Your virtual consultation is only as good as the quality of your webcam, internet connection, and computer. If you have an older computer with a low-res webcam and have a slow internet connection, the surgeon is going to have a hard time seeing you and your body. This could lead to inaccurate assessments if the image quality is blurry or pixelated.

2D instead of 3D

When a surgeon sees you in real life, he’s looking at you in three dimensions. When he sees you on a computer screen, you and your body appear in two dimensions. The assessment he gives you online is only as good as the image that appears on his computer screen. When he sees you in person, he may update the assessment based on new information that the video consultation did not show.

Depersonalized Experience

While Dr. Adams makes every effort to give his virtual consultation patients an honest and personalized experience, the act of chatting via online video can be a bit “clinical” and depersonalized. Sitting down with Dr. Adams for a consultation in his office is much more personalized than talking to him via webcam.

It’s always best for a surgeon or doctor to see their patients in real life. Until such a time when “virtual reality” becomes a household norm, patients and prospective patients will always get more value from an in-person consultation. However, online consultations do have their benefits in certain situations as described above.

Dr. Adams Virtual Consultation

If you’d like to learn more about a virtual consultation with Dr. Adams or would like to schedule one, give us a call at (214) 965-9885. Dr. Adams is a world-renowned plastic surgeon and the host of the popular plastic surgery channel “No Spin Live,” where he and his colleagues discuss various plastic surgery trends and hot topic issues.

Let’s face it. Guys want to look great too. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, men made up 13% of all invasive cosmetic procedures in 2017. That may pale in comparison to women going under-the-knife, but men are finally coming out of the woodwork admitting their desires to take their bodies to the next level.

And why not? As both invasive and non-invasive cosmetic surgeries become more mainstream for women, shouldn’t it for guys as well? Thanks to the rise of social media and reality television allowing for a more intimate peek into the lives of others, we’re learning that good looks, and the confidence that goes with them, often don’t come naturally.

It’s also showing us that cosmetic surgeries are no longer just for the rich and famous. As we learn more about the procedures now available, from simple botox injections to complex facelifts, people are discovering that looking great is possible for all income levels and lifestyles.

Why Are More Men Getting Cosmetic Surgery?

For years, there has been a cultural stigma attached to males undergoing plastic surgery more so than females. Caring significantly about outer appearances has traditionally been considered a feminine trait. Many men feared they would come off as less masculine if they fretted about fine lines or looked to a surgeon to help them lose that pooch.

Thankfully, as times change, so do former faux-pas. More men are speaking out about their decision to go under-the-knife and are becoming more comfortable with their desire to enhance their appearance.

Still, one gripe among men interested in plastic surgery is how female oriented the industry is. They are simply turned off by the plethora of pink walls, soft music, or before and after pictures only featuring women. Even if the stigma is lessening, it still definitely exists.

To counteract this stigma, more cosmetic surgeons are jumping on the bandwagon by specifically advertising to guys. Some practices even now cater exclusively to men. Instead of pastel-colored walls and smooth jazz, these offices look more like cigar lounges or sports bars. Gone is also the fear of having to explain your desired procedure to a female receptionist, or the cute woman sitting next to you in the waiting room.

The Most Common Cosmetic Surgeries for Men

So, now that more men are undergoing plastic surgery, which procedures are they choosing? For the most part, many of the same ones that women do—aside from the obvious exceptions. Currently, the five common cosmetic procedures for men are:

• Botox—or “brotox” if you will—has absolutely taken over the market since its introduction. Since 2010, there has been a 27% jump in men choosing to get these injectable fillers. Minimally invasive with no downtime, it’s by far the most requested cosmetic procedure in the country with 1,548,236 injections performed in 2017 alone.
• Liposuction is the most common invasive cosmetic surgery for men in the U.S. with 31,021 procedures performed in 2017. As we age, sometimes even the best diet and exercise regimes can’t get rid of some of that stubborn fat. Or hey, maybe it’s just time to treat yourself and get that beach body back.
• Eyelid Surgery, technically called a blepharoplasty, is the second most common invasive procedure for men after liposuction. This delicate operation can take years off patients by eliminating excess drooping skin around the eyes. Goodbye crow’s feet and baggy eyes!
• Male Breast Reduction for the treatment of gynecomastia or excessive breast tissue is a very popular male-specific cosmetic procedure. Many men simply feel emasculated by having larger breasts. This surgery is a wonderful option for men wanting to take control of their life and regain their confidence.
• Tummy Tuck—Because sometimes a little lipo simply won’t cut it. If you notice yourself solemn staring at your FUPA (front upper pelvic area) every morning wishing for your formally flat stomach, this might be the right procedure for you. Over 8,500 men underwent a tummy tuck in 2017 proving that not only ladies dream of that perfectly flat belly.

What Men Should Look For When Choosing a Plastic Surgeon?

First off, make sure you inquire with potential surgeons about their experience working with men. Also ask to view before and after pictures of previous male patients undergoing the same treatment you’re interested in. Techniques needed to create incredible results can vary greatly between genders.

For example, an ideal rhinoplasty for a woman is vastly different than a man’s. A surgeon may be a genius when it comes to making a perfect female button nose, but can they translate their skills when it comes to creating your ideal masculine nose?

In addition, experience is everything when it comes to choosing the right plastic surgeon. Find a surgeon that has many years of experience performing the specific procedure you want. Also ensure they are fully certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Your surgeon should also be open to answer any and all questions thoroughly and transparently.

There’s no shame in embracing those Dad Bod curves, but there’s also no shame in wanting to look incredible—no matter your age or gender. If you’re ready for your outside to match how you feel inside, trust William P. Adams Jr. MD. With over 20 years practicing cosmetic surgery, Dr. Adams is committed to making his patients look and feel better than ever. Contact us online or call 214-965-9885 to schedule a consultation or get more information.

In the past few months, several news stories have reported an increase in popularity of a plastic surgery procedure designed to fix the shape or position of the belly button. An umbilicoplasty is a stand-alone cosmetic surgery option that can transform an “innie” belly button into an “outtie” or reposition it due to asymmetrical concerns on the part of the patient.

Over the past decade or so, social media and the prevalence of high-definition camera phones have caused more and more people to become self-aware of their bodies. This phenomenon is most prevalent in the summertime when people shed their winter clothes for bathing suits which expose more skin. As such, it’s understandable how more and more people are opting for plastic surgery – but is there really a new trend in belly button surgeries?

Why Do We Have a Belly Button?

A belly button is a scar that results from the cutting of the umbilical cord which connects the baby to the mother. The size and shape of the belly button are highly dependent on genetic factors but can also be dependent upon exactly how the doctor cuts the umbilical cord. The resulting scar will determine if a person has an innie or an outtie belly button.

As people get older, the belly button can change due to a wide variety of factors such as pregnancy, weight gain/loss, or even injuries. The vast majority of people who get umbilicoplasty procedures are women. This is mostly because the look and size of their belly buttons were changed due to a pregnancy.

Why Get an Umbilicoplasty?

Social media and the perception of one’s own body isn’t the only reason a person might want to get an umbilicoplasty. Sometimes pregnancy will cause a belly button to become herniated and change the size, shape, or position.

Massive weight loss can also cause changes in the appearance. The vast majority of people who opt for this surgery do so for aesthetic reasons solely. There is no medical purpose other than one’s perception of their body.

The other reasons for getting an umbilicoplasty can include:

• Turning “outtie” into an “innie”
• Rejuvenation of the abdomen
• Replacing belly button that was lost due to prior injury or surgery
• Reduce the size of the belly button
• Scar removal (previous operations or piercings)
• Excess skin elimination

Are People Really Getting This Procedure?

Yes and no. Despite what the news media is reporting, many plastic surgeons aren’t reporting a massive rush of patients looking to change the size and shape of their belly button unless it was deformed from pregnancy or prior injury.

The vast majority of people who opt for an umbilicoplasty are coming in for other procedures such as tummy tucks and tightening of the excess skin on the stomach. They wind up getting the belly button procedure done at the same time. There’s a limit on what plastic surgery can do to fix a perceived asymmetrical belly button.

Is It Worth It?

This procedure is worth it to a point – there are many instances where the plastic surgeon can confidently change the size, shape, or position of the belly button. However, under certain circumstances, the chances of a good outcome can prove to be a bit more challenging.

Some people will want an umbilicoplasty because they feel that their belly button is not perfectly symmetrical with the rest of their body. It might be “off” by 1mm. In cases like this, it’s downright hard, if not impossible for the surgeon to achieve 100% symmetry. A good surgeon will let the patient know that the human body is not designed to be perfectly symmetrical. It’s the little imperfections that make people unique and beautiful.

If every single human had a perfectly symmetrical body, it wouldn’t look right to the human eye. The small imperfections of the human body combine as a whole to make us look human. Otherwise, we would look like life-like robots that you see in science fiction movies.

Downtime?

If the umbilicoplasty is performed by itself, a patient may return to work or school the next day. However, if it’s performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck or umbilical hernia repair, then there may be 1-2 weeks of recovery time needed.

Results will become apparent as soon as the surgical area starts to heal and the scars fade – usually in a few months after the procedure date. The final results are evident by the 1-year anniversary of the surgery.

Risks of Umbilicoplasty?

As with any elective surgery, there can be risks associated with getting an umbilicoplasty. Delayed wound healing, excessive scarring, and infection can all occur. Another risk is potential dissatisfaction with the overall aesthetics. Under or over-correction may occur, or the surgeon might have a very challenging time getting the exact placement you’re looking for. Speak with your surgeon about any concerns you might have.

Plastic Surgery in Dallas

If you’re considering getting a tummy tuck or other work performed on your abdominal area, give Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885 or schedule an appointment. Dr. Adams is a nationally-renowned plastic surgeon who can help transform the look and feel of your body.

Every year, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Aesthetic Society of American Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) come out with a report that details the most popular plastic surgery trends for the year.

The results for 2018 indicate that non-invasive procedures such as Botox and Fillers are climbing exponentially in popularity. That doesn’t mean that plastic surgery is down – in fact more and more people are opting to go under the knife because the downtime for surgery is much less than it used to be.

As the years go by, technology for both invasive and non-invasive cosmetic procedures will only get better – resulting in more and more people opting to get a procedure done due to better results and less downtime.

Here are the Top Cosmetic Surgery Trends for 2018:

Non-Surgical Trends (minimally invasive)

Non-invasive procedures such as lip augmentation, Botox, and fillers have exploded in popularity. The American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released a report in March of 2018 that listed the statistics for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. In 2017 there were over 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed and that number is continuing to climb.

New technologies such as CoolSculpting offer a way to remove arm fat without getting surgery. The medical evidence that these technologies work well is starting to pile up and that’s causing more and more people to want to get them.

The Top 5 Non-Invasive Procedures are:

• Botox (Type A) – Used for both removing wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Botox is also showing great promise for people who suffer from certain dental issues. TMJ and gummy smiles can be corrected by the use of Botox.
• Soft tissue fillers – Soft tissue fillers are also known as “dermal fillers.” They can be used to plump up thin lips, soften facial wrinkles, improve the appearance of scars, and enhance shallow contours. Fillers are often used in conjunction with Botox to remove facial lines and wrinkles.
• Chemical peel – Long gone are the days of the painful chemical peel. New advances in technology make this procedure relatively pain-free. Chemical peels can transform the look and feel of your face.
• Laser hair removal – Laser hair removal is a non-invasive procedure that will continue to remain popular amongst both men and women. In today’s society, body hair is considered “icky” and a few laser hair removal appointments can get rid of it completely.
• Microdermabrasion – An abrasive instrument is used to gently remove dead, old skin and remove the thicker, outer layer of skin that has sun or age damage.

The amount of people getting non-invasive procedures is only expected to rise as the years go by. Non-invasive prolongs the need for many people to have to undergo the knife in order to achieve the cosmetic results that they desire.

Surgical Trends (invasive)

Surgical trends have actually increased for 2018 – despite the record amounts of people seeking non-invasive treatments. This is due in part to recent advances in surgical procedures which allow for a much shorter (and less painful) recovery time.

It can also be attributed in part to those who are initially seeking minimally-invasive procedures – only to realize these procedures can only do so much – and they will have to undergo surgery to fully achieve the look they want.

Sometimes a celebrity will also get a surgical procedure done and post before-and-after results on their social media. This in turn increases the popularity and demand of the procedure as everyone wants to look like their favorite celebrity.

Here are the Top Surgical Trends for 2018:

Vaginal rejuvenation – The stigma about vaginal rejuvenation is almost completely gone. More and more women are opting for this procedure. It can be done as a non-invasive procedure such as ThermaVa, which uses radiofrequency energy to help restore the vagina to a younger “pre-baby” stage. It can also be done as a surgical procedure such as a labiaplasty.

Breast implants – Breast implants are always going to be popular and at the top of this list. In 2017 alone, there were over 300,000 breast implant procedures performed in America. This is up 3 percent from 2016. The increase in popularity can be attributed in part to patients have less recovery time due to new surgical technologies and techniques.

Tummy Tucks – Tummy tucks are another plastic surgery staple. In 2017 there were almost 130,000 tummy tucks performed. There are many people who are unable to get rid of that last bit of belly fat – no matter how hard and long they work out. Tummy tucks offer a viable solution to this problem.

Liposuction – Liposuction is up 5 percent from 2016 as well. This could be due in part to the growing popularity of Brazilian Butt Lifts which require liposuction in order for the procedure to be successful. Many overweight people also tend to get liposuction as a way to give themselves a head start to getting that tight body they’ve always dreamed of.

Where Are the Trends Headed for 2019?

While it’s most likely that the trends will remain the same for many years to come, it’s entirely possible that new technology or a celebrity fad will cause a new procedure to increase in popularity. Kim Kardashian recently made the Vampire Facelift an overnight sensation when she posted pictures of her getting the procedure to her social media account.

Non-surgical trends will also continue to grow in popularity as well. There will be new Botox-like products on the market that offer greater results that what’s able to be achieved currently.

Cosmetic Surgery in Dallas

If you’ve been putting off getting that cosmetic procedure you’ve always wanted, now is a great time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Adams. The technology for both invasive and non-invasive procedures has improved dramatically and the overall recovery time for most procedures has decreased from just a few short years ago.