Varicose Veins Featured Article

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are extremely common but there are still many people out there who are not aware of what they are and how they develop. Varicose veins are basically enlarged twisted veins that make a person’s leg look like a road map. They are gnarled veins that have blood pooling in them, most often a result of damage to the valves.

For many people a varicose veins condition is a mild and often temporary condition but for others they can become serious and even be so debilitating that they cause the person to have to stop doing normal, day to day activities that they once enjoyed and found normal.

What are the Symptoms?

As with any other condition there are certain symptoms that one may experience as a result of the onset of varicose veins. This includes an achy or heavy feeling in the legs or other area of the body, itching around one or more veins, and skin ulcers near the affected area.

As soon as you notice any of these signs you will want to get in to see your doctor as soon as possible. They will need to make a proper diagnosis and assessment before you will be able to go ahead with any treatment.

Also keep in mind that there is another condition, known as spider veins, which is quite similar to varicose veins but also very different. At this appointment your doctor will be able to differentiate between the two and let you know exactly what condition you are dealing with.

Treatment

Of course one of the most important steps of all when it comes to a varicose veins condition is treatment. There are a few different options here, and as a patient you will need to work with your doctor and come to a decision on which is going to be the best for you.

Keep in mind that just because one treatment works well for one person this does not mean that it is going to work at all for you. There may have to be a bit of trial and error involved here, to find out what works for you and what doesn’t.

This condition can be incredibly hard to deal with but it is important that you have patience, and what with all the effective treatment options available today, you will be able to find one that works for you and get back to looking and feeling like your regular old self again in no time.

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July 12, 2009

Finding A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

The best way to feel completely at ease in the care of your surgeon is to do a thorough investigation into his or her background before you make a commitment. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is an organization that has a list of board certified surgeons in your area. Be aware that any doctor can claim to be board certified or skilled in a particular area. It is your responsibility to uncover the truth as to whether he or she truly is a board certified plastic surgeon.

A surgeon must meet stringent requirements in order to become a board certified plastic surgeon through the ASPS. The baseline education requirements include graduation from an accredited medical school and completion of five or more years of additional residency. Inside those five years of residency, he or she must have a minimum of three years of general surgery experience in an accredited program, as well as two years of plastic surgery experience in a residency program. On top of those requirements, he or she must be actively practicing cosmetic plastic surgery for two years and successfully pass comprehensive oral and written exams.

The ASPS is the only board dedicated to overseeing regulations in the field and so doctors who hold this certification are the only ones allowed to perform any type of plastic surgery procedure or treatment. The ASPS is a helpful tool for those seeking cosmetic plastic surgery because they can rest assured that the doctor they have chosen underwent extensive residency, training and work experience. Make sure you choose a doctor that is board certified in the area that you want improved. For instance, you would want to get liposuction from a doctor who is board certified in plastic surgery instead of a facial plastic surgeon since that surgeon doesn’t specialize in the procedure you want.

To find out if your physician is board certified, a patient can visit the ASPS Web site at www.plasticsurgery.org to verify a specific medical specialty. This gives you the chance to learn if a certain doctor you are interested in has completed the required training and is working toward certification.

When making the decision to have cosmetic surgery, the most important factor in the process is to choose a board certified plastic surgeon. Other considerations should also be measured. Personal qualities such as sincerity, communication skills and patience should be kept in mind. Just because a doctor is board certified does not mean that he or she will be compatible with your needs. A background check is the first step in the exciting journey of aesthetic plastic surgery.

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April 6, 2009

Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery - What is the Difference

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there is a discernible difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery even though the majority of folks consider them as being the same thing.  Plastic or reconstructive surgery is carried out on abnormal structures of the body, which are commonly caused by developmental issues such as trauma, birth defects, injuries, infections or tumors. Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery is performed to remold or restore regular parts of the body in order to improve self confidence and appearance.

Surprisingly, there are just as many men opting for this type of elective surgery, as there are women. Neck liposuction is amongst the more popular procedures for men, which involves getting rid of areas of fat and sculpturing the neck to improve appearance. Quite often, additional facial surgery like a facelift and chin liposuction will be carried out concurrently. The reasons given by men, who elect for this form of surgery, range from seeing it as an investment in them selves to being work related.

Many people feel that we live in a beauty, youth fixated culture and that this form of surgical procedure is almost a necessity in order to be successful in both career and relationships. However, while plastic surgery maybe a viable option for some, it might not be the choice of everyone. We all have a self image, a sense of how we believe we look to others. It has been shown that folks who are happy with their self image are more than likely to be self confident, as well as more successful in both work and social situations. Those who are not satisfied tend to be uneasy, inhibited and less adept at holding their own in social situations.

As is the case with any specialized or general surgery, you will need time to recover after the operation. That time varies from one person to the next and largely relies upon the type of procedure performed. In addition to allowing time for physical recuperation, there are also different emotional issues to consider. Many doctors say that the psychological aspects of liposuction together with the emotional recuperation is usually something the patient has not considered and as such, they try to make a point to discuss this issue ahead of all surgeries.

Even though Aristotle once said that Beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction, that may not be the reality.  Obviously, there are numerous different reasons why someone may choose to have plastic surgery. Unfortunately, some of their expectations might be a little unrealistic. There are limits to what can be done by a plastic surgeon during a surgical procedure. It is important to remember there are many variables that must be considered, such as skin texture, age and even overall health. If somebody is convinced that a face-lift will confer stunning good looks on them, then they may need to be reminded that their surgeon is working with skin, not clay. Although not the solution to lifes problems, it can improve a persons appearance and confidence, but only if their frame of mind is positive before the operation.

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