2009 Top 9 Cosmetic Surgery Predictions

In 2009 these top 9 cosmetic surgery predictions will be cheaper and easier ways to change your look.

Here are my Top 9 Plastic Surgery Predictions for 2009:

#9. More and more popular is the cosmetic surgery vacation. Due to the economy, people will be able to save money by combining vacations and cosmetic surgery procedures. One warning, traveling to Mexico, Brazil or even India in an attempt to save money may not be preformed by Certified Plastic Surgeons. Some will come back with their botched results seeking a U.S. surgeons to treat. However, the lucky ones will come back looking both rested and younger.

#8. Some Beverly Hills radiologists will use fat from animals and liposuction fat to power their vehicles. This maybe an extreme example, but work on Biofuels will continue with liposuction fat on the periphery of this trend.

#7. The FDA will approve Sculptra as a liquid facelift for the general population with the realization that facial volume loss is part of the aging process, Sculptra treatments may take center stage in the fight against facial gauntness. Right now Sculptra is currently only FDA-approved for treatment of HIV-associated facial wasting, but has been used in Europe for many years under the name Newfill. It is currently the only injectable filler that can produce generalized volume replacement in the face without excessive cost.

#6. 2009 will also bring new extreme, bizarre, and unusual plastic surgeries. 2008 brought us such plastic surgery oddities as cosmetic leg lengthening, the G Shot, the Boob Jab, and the Acupuncture Facelift. I expect more of the same in 2009. Crazy! Would you have a tummy tuck performed at the same time as your C-section?

#5. Now I did write about the Gummy Bear Implants in my Breast Augmentation post. In November 2006 the FDA lifted the ban on silicone gel implants. Since then plastic surgeons and patients in the know have been waiting for FDA approval of the form-stable, “gummy bear” breast implants, the only silicone breast implants that did not receive approval two years ago. These firm, textured, tear-drop shaped implants are made to retain their shape and not conform to the shape of surrounding tissues. The Gummy Bear Implants are available at some plastic surgery offices, those that are a part of the FDA clinical trial. The FDA requires a large-scale clinical study be conducted in the United States before giving these implants final approval. Call local plastic surgeons in your area or search online for participating plastic surgeons.

#4: Nonsurgical Liposuction is one of the hottest procedures done today, but with many times disappointing results. Reducing fat by injections, external lasers, external ultrasound, and even by freezing the fat. None of these techniques have actually been proven to safely work. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is currently conducting an FDA-approved study on Lipodissolve, with the initial results due in the near future. While the only proven way to safely and effectively remove fat is via liposuction, 2009 may bring considerable advances to some nonsurgical procedures.

#3: Like Marini Lash Eyelash Conditioner the eyelash enhancing medication Latisse has been recommended for FDA approval for the eyelash stimulating medication from Allergan, the makers of Botox.

#2: Are Stem Cells the future in the U.S. for plastic surgery as well? Actually, stem cells are currently being used by some pioneering surgeons outside the U.S. introducing a stem cell facelift and a handful of surgeons are performing breast enhancement with stem cells. I wouldn't look to the FDA approving stem cells procedures in the U.S. for 2009. Scientists need to prove that the use of stem cells are safe. Until then, Americans will need to travel abroad for these extremely controversial treatments.

#1: Sometime in 2009, Botox-Competitor Reloxin will be approved by the FDA. Medicis’s cosmetic botulinum toxin Reloxin may prove to be a relief to patients and plastic surgeons bringing. prices down for the most popular procedure done in the U.S. Reloxin will be the first legitimate Botox competitor to challenge Allergan’s monopoly on this market.

In 2009 some cosmetic surgery predictions seem promising while others are either too extreme or not available for years to come. It will be interesting to see in months a head what cosmetic predictions will come true or not.