Dr. Rhys Branman's Cosmetic Surgery Blog

A History of Cosmetic Surgery & Video Tour of its Tribal Roots

November 1, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

"Anthropologists have a deep interest in body modification. Our current cultural craze and interest is a subsection of the larger cultural and historical significance of body modification" stated Neil Whitehead, an anthropologist who teaches at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Reading this got me interested in the history of body modification. Body modification is part of the history of cosmetic surgery. The Greek word plastickos means "to mold." Cosmetic plastic surgery in tribal society people included putting discs in their lips (Video Here), earlobes (Video Here), filing their teeth (Video Here), scar (Video Here), and even stretching their necks (Video Here). Some...

Bro-tox?

October 31, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

More and more men are getting cosmetic surgery! From injectable fillers, to BOTOX® and liposuction, Arkansas men are part of a trend. The fact that the number of men seeking cosmetic surgery had doubled in the past 15 years was touted on ABC news. The latest report of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery stated that 800,000 men accepted cosmetic procedures in 2011. The word "accepted" was used in a study that attempted to explain the differences between men and women when approaching cosmetic surgery. The study concluded that men were more likely to "accept" cosmetic surgery for practical...

Discouraged After Weight Loss?

October 29, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Often after significant weight loss patients although thrilled with their achievement, are not so thrilled with the excess skin on their lower bodies. Losing large amounts of fat from bariatric or gastric bypass surgery can leave you with sagging skin that camouflages the very contours of the body you wanted to show off!  To truly appreciate your new body and realize the benefits of weight loss, you may need to undergo a lower body procedure such as a thigh lift or body lift. Sometimes excess hanging skin can cause health problems as well, if the skin beneath the folds become...

Controversy From the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

October 26, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Of late there has been a plethora of news flashes about vaginal cosmetic surgery. The techniques being referred to are labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, hoodectomy and a few more. One of the strongest statements came from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). For your protection and education, I have created a link to the ACOG's warning. Some of this surgery claims to improve sexual sensation, yet there have been no definitive studies published in peer reviewed journals. In other words, there is no scientific evidence that vaginal tightening, hoodectomy, G-spot enhancement do indeed improve sensation. It is critical to understand...

Healing and Emotional Aspects of Surgical Recovery

October 25, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Many people do not think about the emotional aftermath of surgery. Studies have shown that self-esteem improves when patients attain the look they sought with a cosmetic procedure. We know you will look better, and often we think we are prepared for the recovery time involved. Despite all this rational thinking and careful consultation, often people expect to feel better right away. Unfortunately sometimes a patient can get a case of the "Post Surgical Blues."  General anesthesia can affect an individual both physically and emotionally for up to three weeks. The residual effects can even make someone feel lethargic or...

Brow Lifts to Remove Deep Furrows

October 24, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Many people over 40 begin to notice furrows appearing on the forehead, their brows appearing low and heavy, perhaps "crow's feet" and "worry lines." These are indications that you might be a candidate for a brow lift or forehead lift. However, if you have a significant degree of skin hanging over the upper eyelids, I may recommend an upper eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty or both. Whether you would be better served by a brow lift or eyelid surgery will be dependent on your specific needs. You have a choice of Brow Lifts at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center. As I have...

Can I Breast Feed After Breast Reduction Surgery?

October 23, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Some women are concerned that they will not be able to breast-feed if they have breast reduction surgery. This is indeed an important question. Breast reduction essentially results in a breast lift. If you are thinking about breast reduction surgery before you have children this is a consideration. It is true that surgical reduction of the breasts can damage nerves and milk-producing ducts and glands, and make breastfeeding difficult. Many people believe it is best to not have breast reduction surgery until you have weaned your last child. There has been some research done on breastfeeding after reduction mammoplasty. The...

The Brazilian: Buttocks Augmentation Using Fat Transfer

October 22, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Recently there has been much ado about the "Brazilian Butt Lift" that is becoming very in vogue. In case you were wondering just what the Brazilian Butt Lift is, the hallmark of this type of buttocks augmentation is that your own fat is used to create the projection you want and enhance the buttocks, rather than implants. Fat grafting is also called free fat transfer, liposculpture, lipostructure, structural fat grafting and fat injections. In a fat transfer, we remove excess fat from one part of the body and transfer it to the part of the body where fat is desired. Fat...

You Want A Doctor To Perform Cosmetic Procedures

October 19, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

With the recent deaths from infection in a Medi-Spa in Maryland, I became concerned that patients seeking cosmetic surgery understand what exactly a Medi-Spa is and what services they can provide, and by whom. Regulations vary state to state, but in Arkansas any medical facility must be owned by a licensed doctor. The Arkansas State Medical Board licenses and regulates only these medical professions: Medical Doctor Physician Assistants Occupational Therapy Assistants Radiology Practitioner Assistant Doctors of Osteopathy Occupational Therapists Respiratory Therapists Medical Corporations These are the only recognized medical professions in Arkansas. Note that there are many specialties licensed under...

High Brow, Low Brow

October 17, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Here's an interesting statement I just read: "Researchers have suggested that working women are subconsciously sculpting their eyebrows into the more masculine shape." In this case that means there is a trend toward lower eyebrows. The article made me wonder more about this history of eyebrow styles. I started thinking about ancient Egyptian art and how the eye was depicted, very dramatic!  Considering  80% of human communication is nonverbal, and that the eyes convey much of this emotion, it's not surprising that eyebrows have a place in history. So I did a little research on the history of eyebrows in...

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