Hello, fabulous Beauty Chat readers! Along with being an editor/contributor to this wonderful site, I am also an editor and writer for iEnhance.com (another website in our network). Many of those who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery often look to personal accounts when researching their procedures, which is why we would love to hear from you. We are constantly looking for inspiring stories from real people just like you who have had an enhancement procedure – cosmetic plastic surgery, skin care treatment, or cosmetic dentistry procedure. Here are a couple of examples of some recent stories: Jana’s Story and Elease’s Story.

If you would like to share your experience with a procedure you underwent, please feel free to contact me!

The warm weather is here, bikinis have been on the racks for a few weeks now, and tanning salons are getting booked. Summer is approaching and we’re ready to rock the beach! Or at least almost ready to rock…we just need to lose those last five to 10 pounds. But we’ve all got so much going on that it’s become nearly impossible to hit the gym on a regular basis.

What are we to do? Aside from undergoing a cosmetic procedure – liposuction or tummy tuck surgery – there are many diets that we could try, including the “Five Bite Diet” that Dre and Jana are currently doing, but there are also other ways to lose the weight: diet pills. Or as some companies like to call them “dietary supplements.”

I’ll admit that in an attempt to drop a few pounds the easy way I did try a couple of different brands some years back. However, I failed to do as the bottle stated, which was to eat a sensible diet, exercise, and take the pills as supplements.

Many diets pills claim to help us lose weight quickly and easily, but they don’t bother to reveal all the negative side effects that they also bring along. Saying that we should consult with a physician prior to taking them is hardly enough warning that they may not be safe for us to use.

These supplements can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, anxiety or nervousness, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even death if not monitored correctly. Are the risks worth the possibility of losing a few pounds?

Living in Southern California requires a beach ready bod and I’m determined to get into shape. Instead of trying to cheat with diet pills, I’ve started eating healthier and I’m working on incorporating more activities…soon. In the last month, I’ve already dropped eight pounds!

What do you do to get in shape for the beach? I’d love to get some fun ideas!

Photo Credit: Sheep Chronicles

(Angelina Jolie ~ before and after)

I think it’s pretty much safe to say yes, celebrities still heavily influence the growth and popularity of plastic surgery trends. In addition, Reality TV such as Dr. 90210 has played a major role in the public seeing firsthand the “reality” behind plastic surgery; and for many people, this has inspired them to go forward and undergo some sort of improvement.

(Paris Hilton ~ before and after)

(Paula Adbul ~ before and after)

Also editor of PlasticSurgery.com and iEnhance.com, I have spoken to several plastic surgeons throughout the country about their patients and the initial consultation sitting. Yes, interviewing doctors regarding various topics, from saline vs. silicone gel breast implants to butt enhancement surgery, has been part of busy job here. And during my phone interviews, I’ve learned just how common it is for a man or woman (more often it seems to be the female patients) to bring in pictures of the celebrity they wish to emulate – somehow. Whether it is Angelina Jolie’s lips, Jennifer Lopez’ butt, or Hale Berry’s breasts – these cosmetic and plastic surgeons have heard it all. Naturally, that gets me thinking about the trends and statistics in plastic surgery – both non-surgical and surgical procedures. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), here are some 2007 stats:

The most popular surgical procedures among men in 2007 were:

• Liposuction
• Eyelid surgery
• Nose surgery
• Breast reduction (to treat enlarged male breasts)
• Hair transplantation

The most popular surgical procedures among women in 2007 were:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Eyelid surgery
• Abdominoplasty
• Breast reduction

(Fergie ~ before and after)

(Rihanna ~ before and after)

Oh, and did I mention that Americans spent just under $13.2 BILLION on cosmetic plastic surgery alone last year? While critics may deem Americans superficial, those of us who work very closely to this field tend to share the similar point of view, which is rooted in the philosophy behind Beauty Chat: “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak On It!”

(Matt Dillon ~ before and after)

(Bruce Jenner ~ before and after)

It’s all a matter of taste, preference, and influence. That’s why I thought it would be fun to post some before and after plastic surgery photos of celebrities.

Now, I’ve got a question for you, which of your favorite stars has the most natural-looking plastic surgery results? I have my fave (Gwen Stefani), but I want to know yours too!

Photo Credit: We found them all on Google images

In today’s world, children are becoming more and more informed of “grown-up” things at a much earlier age. For example, my 6-year-old niece asked me if I had a cell phone because she wanted to add my number to her contact list. I don’t think I even had a cell phone until I was in college!

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw an article on a new children’s book about plastic surgery. My Beautiful Mommy (Big Tent Books) by Dr. Michael Salzhauer, a Florida plastic surgeon, is an illustrated book aimed at children ages 4 to 7. I remember reading “The Cat in the Hat” and “The Goldstein Bears” when I was six – not books on what my mom was going to change on her body.

It seems that with the growing popularity of plastic surgery, and especially celebrity plastic surgery, has become less of a secret for many people. “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Patricia Heaton proudly announced her “Mommy Makeover” a few years back. Interestingly enough, My Beautiful Mommy is about a mother undergoing this very makeover.

In this book, a young girl accompanies her mother to the surgeon’s office to learn more about what’s going to change with Mommy. As we read on, we find out that Mommy is getting a tummy tuck, a nose job, and breast  augmentation. However, the final results of her breast enlargement surgery isn’t exactly mentioned in the text. This is because Dr. Salzhauer doesn’t think the “Mommy wants bigger boobs because…” is appropriate reasoning to give to a child. (As compared to a mother explaining to her child that she wants to get rid of extra fat on her stomach or the unsightly bump on her nose, the author thinks that discussing the personal reasons for wanting a “bigger boobs” could be more damaging to a young girl.) There are before and after photos of Mommy’s transformation, however, but I wonder if the child would even pick up on the change if it’s not discussed?

Some may see this book as a way to tell children, “You’re not pretty enough. Change your face and body, then you’ll be beautiful.” However, Dr. Salzhauer insists that it is only a means to explain to children what’s going on with Mommy when she gets certain plastic surgery procedures versus encouraging children to consider plastic surgery themselves.

Many women over 40 seek the assistance of a plastic surgeon to regain the slimmer, firmer body they had before having children. As they undergo these procedures, they will also have to face how their young children will perceive their experience. Dr. Salzhauer wrote this book for mothers to read with their children before their own surgeries. He says that he wrote this book in order for children to not be afraid when Mommy goes to the doctor, as many children think that one only goes to the doctor when they’re sick. If Mommy has a way to explain what will happen before, during and after the surgery, the child can be at ease that she isn’t sick; Mommy will just look different afterwards.

What are your thoughts on the launch of this book?

While skimming over the news on MSN.com recently, I came across an interesting article (which they got from the Science Channel) titled “Top 10 Useless Body Parts.” Immediately, I was intrigued. I can certainly think of a few anatomical pests that I would rather live without!

According to this article, many parts that were once vital to our survival are now just unnecessary, and even troublesome. Here is the list of “useless body parts”:

10. Plica semilunaris (a third eyelid)
9. Body hair
8. Sinuses
7. Adenoids
6. Tonsils
5. Coccyx
4. Arrector pili (a muscle that makes our hair stand on end and gives us goose bumps)
3. Wisdom teeth
2. Appendix
1. Male nipples

Our bodies can be our best friends or our worst enemies. We all have at least one feature that we aren’t too fond of. In fact, many of us have several! But luckily, with medical advancements we have the power to change what we dislike.

Plastic surgery is a hot topic around the world, growing steadily every day. According to WebMD, 11.8 million surgical cosmetic procedures were performed in 2007, the top five being (in order): liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck surgery, and breast reduction.

And whether you are seeking a procedure to make you appear more youthful, such as facelift surgery or Botox ® injections, you have the option to do so.

Changing our body is something that can enhance our appearance and elevate our self-esteem. However, if you are interested in undergoing a procedure, make sure you have realistic expectations. Plastic surgery is a means of improvement, not perfection.

Have any of you undergone a cosmetic enhancement, or wanted to?

This week on Dr. 90210:

While the single life was the topic of choice for Dr. David Matlock last week, during episode 8 we see one of our Beverly Hills plastic surgeons eager to further his commitment to his girlfriend.

Although Dr. Will Kirby is friends with some of the most eligible bachelors in Los Angeles, he is dedicated to strengthening his relationship with his girlfriend. By asking her to move in with him, he hopes that they can become even closer. Is marriage in the near future for Dr. Kirby?

As usual, patients’ personal plastic surgery experiences are showcased on this week’s show. Dr. Kirby helps his mother look her best, a woman – whose daughter is usually the patient – visits Dr. Dean Manus for her own plastic surgery procedure, and a man seeks normalcy from Dr. Gary Alter and his medical abilities.

Topics this week range from facelift surgery to tummy tucks. Read my summary on iEnhance.com, and catch up on what you may have missed out on!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 Season Archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

This week on Dr. 90210:

From “muffin tops” to sweaty pits, a new set of enhancements are featured on this installment of Dr. 90210. The patients may poke fun at their imperfections, but these are serious conditions that require the help of specialized doctors.

Dr. Robert Rey helps a patient enlarge her breasts to a more desirable size with one of his most requested procedures, breast augmentation, Dr. Linda Li (who we see for the first time this season) removes excess fat and tightens the abdominal muscles of her client with tummy tuck surgery, and Dr. Will Kirby stops his friend’s excessive sweating with Botox ® injections.

Although this week may feature more common procedures than last, they are anything but mundane!

What about Dr. Rey and his father? Did Hayley stick to her promise?

Read my full recap of Dr. 90210’s fifth episode on iEnhance.com!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 season archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

Pregnancy is an interesting time for most women – myself included.  Coworkers have been watching me go through all kinds of changes, from hormone surges to walking around scratching my ever-expanding belly (with a mini tummy tuck or full tummy tuck surgery being an option after I’ve finished giving birth). There is not much I can do to help with the hormones and the random tears that often sneak out.  I have, however, been trying every product I can find to reduce the itching, and with any luck, keep the stretch marks at bay.

I am eight months pregnant, and I have a cupboard full of different lotions containing vitamin E oil and cocoa butter.  Most have done nothing for me.  It seems that either I had to keep applying the product in only a short amount of time, or it looked like I had butter on my skin. Instead of being absorbed by my skin, sometimes they would just stain my shirt!  Belly Balm by Belly Basics is different.

Receiving Belly Balm from a friend, I excitedly applied it to my tummy, breasts, and bum the first chance I got. I was pleasantly surprised by the non-greasy, moisturizing feel.  The smell of Belly Balm was pleasing as well; soft and calming, and not way overpowering. It contains cocoa, shea and mango butter. These ingredients are supposed to help relieve the itches and help prevent stretch marks.

I have been using the Belly Balm pregnancy cream for a few months now, and I am very pleased with the results.  I apply it in the morning and in the evening, and honestly, it seems to be really helping. I haven’t strolled around the office scratching in awhile!

As for my first signs of stretch marks, well these horrible red lines seem to just run in the family.  I don’t think the fair skin helps either. Even with the use of Belly Balm, I truly feel nothing can stop them from showing up.

I have nine weeks left, and I am sadly running out of the wonderful pregnancy cream that has truly saved me from insane scratches day in and day out. Nooooo! (I’ll have to order more from www.bellybasics.com) I suggest that every mom-to-be with the itches try Belly Balm to get rid of some discomfort.  

~ Jacquie

Product Image Credit: www.bellybasics.com