Television series about medical practice are the rave these days. Everybody seems interested in the lives and works of doctors and medical practitioners. Nip/Tuck is a Television series set in a South Florida Plastic Surgery Center.

The series Nip/Tuck based on Plastic Surgeons Sean McNamara and Christian Troy is said to have influenced the increase of the number of plastic surgery procedures in the US.

The presentation of the field of medicine and interaction between patients and doctors may be influenced by real-life real life occurrences or be totally fictional but it is undeniable that these series have captured the interest of many from across the globe.

To read about a medical professional’s views on the depiction of plastic surgery by nip/tuck, visit:

http://www.nipandtuc.com/under-the-knife.cfm.

A certain Dr. Stevens of the Marina Plastic Surgery reviews each episode of the series and clarifies which are scientifically feasible as based on his years of practice in the Plastic Surgery industry.

Blepharoplasty is a type of plastic surgery that concerns the eyelids. It can be both for practical purposes such as, if the person has droopy eyelids (something natural), and he/she is having problems with seeing (i.e. peripheral vision if the droop starts at the tip of the eyes), then that person can undergo blepharoplasty to lessen adversities. However, some also go for this type of surgery for cosmetic purposes. If he/she would like to have chinky eyes, then the surgeon could reshape the eyes to look chinky.

For Asians however, there is a different procedure. Since most Asians do not have a crease on their upper eyelid, some doctors can make an artificial crease, depending on the request of the patient.

Photo taken from http://www.greatcosmeticsurgery.com

4 key steps in the mechanism of action of Botox:

1. Toxin is bound to specific receptors on the presynaptic cell surface. This is mediated by the half of the heavy chain of the C-terminal (approx 30 minutes).

2. Internalization. This is an endocystic process that is energy-dependent receptor-mediated. The nerve cell’s plasma membrane invaginates around the toxin-receptor complex to form a vesicle inside the nerve terminal that contains toxin.

3. Translocation. The disulfide bond is cleaved, after internalization, releasing the 50-kDa light chain of the toxin molecule across the endocytic vesicle’s endosomal membrane into the the nerve terminal’s cytoplasm.

4. Blocking. The 50-kDa light chain of serotypes A and E inhibit acetylcholine release by cleaving a cytoplasmic protein (SNAP-25) required for the docking of acetylcholine vesicles on the inner side of the nerve terminal plasma membrane. Botulinum toxin type D is specific for VAMP/synaptobrevin. Botulinum toxin types B and F also affect the VAMP/synaptobrevin protein. These actions impede the release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft.

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed to improve the appearance of a person’s nose. A study conducted by Glasgold group about rhinoplasty showed that there is positive psychological change following cosmetic rhinoplasty. The results indicated that moderate improvements in self esteem and social relationships are greatly enhanced for all patients. Significant changes where reflected among the younger age group, indicating that in the stage of emotional and social maturation, an established positive physical self image is necessary. On the other hand, the changes which reflected in a lesser degree among the older age group still suggest that the role of physical appearance is important throughout life. Sufficed to say, majority of the patients are satisfied on the results.

Plastic surgeons are criticising the Department of Health over plans to allow some private clinics to use lasers for cosmetic purposes without having to register first with the Healthcare Commission. Laser therapy is used on lines, wrinkles, scars and damaged skin to smooth its appearance.

At present, there are 850 private sector and voluntary clinics registered with the Healthcare Commission that provide purely cosmetic laser.

The procedure involving sex change remains to be one of the most controversial not to mention most debated issue up to date not only by moralists against liberals but also medical practitioners. Before a patient could undergo a sex change, the law requires him or her to submit him or herself under therapy. This is where the shrink evaluates if the person’s condition is indeed fit enough to undergo such a drastic change. This is done to prevent any regret on the part of the patient, after all the last thing he or she needs is to realize he or she wants to recover her or his former sexuality back, which when operated on is next to impossible to get back.

Most teens view plastic surgery as an easy path to fitting in, contrary to adults who see it as a way to stand out. In this case it is important that both asses the real reason they are undergoing the procedure. Most doctors won’t agree to perform surgery without being convinced that the patient is decided with the procedure and is mature enough to grasp the consequences of going under the knife. It is recommended that the patient sees a therapist first to determine if he or she is psychologically fit enough to go on a permanent body reconstruction and if he or she is actually doing the operation for the right reasons.

Plastic surgery is often associated with vanity but for some people, it really is a serious case of reconstruction. The most famous type of plastic or cosmetic surgery is done to remedy cleft chins. Operation smile aims to uplift children’s self esteem by giving them a chance to relieve themselves of their deformity through operation. Dermabrassion and laser procedures are also done to help minimize the appearances of birthmarks and scars derived from accidents. Operation smile believes that even though character trumps physical attributes anytime, it doesn’t hurt to be free from major deformities. In a visual world wherein we cannot be helped but be judged with our looks, it pays to look good, or at the very least, normal.