Britney's breasts, Kylie´s nose, J.Lo´s butt. Millions of Germans and Americans go in search of perfect beauty every year. Isidor Buholzer helps some of them. CosmeticVacations arranges Top-Surgery for exclusive customers from the USA and Europe in the Beauty-Mecca, Brazil. Florida Sun Magazine spoke with the Swiss, who has been living in Miami for the last 15 years.
Indeed, Cosmetic Surgery is enormously popular. In the last year there were more than one million procedures in Germany. In the USA, the total was twelve million; incidentally, Florida represents 20 percent of the U.S. market. The majority of surgical procedures -17 percent - were performed in the USA. Brazil was next with ten percent; in third place is Mexico with eight percent. Germany ranks in eighth place with four percent.
There definitely are differences. For example, Germans favor face-lifts more than their American counterparts. Germans tend to have face surgery sooner and use more Botox. Americans opt more for breast jobs. However, the absolute favorite procedure of both nationalities is liposuction.
In Brazil, the beauty ideal is again quite different. The typical Brazilian female wants a round, taut rear end and slim legs.
Interestingly, there are also national differences when it comes to Cosmetic Dentistry. Americans prefer the pearly-white Hollywood smile while Germans and Brazilians opt for the more natural look.
The most common procedure for men is Liposuction, especially of the stomach. Eyelid surgery comes in second place, while hair transplants and nose surgery are next.
Of course, there is an enormous price inclination here. However, I advise strongly against cheap tourism. Breast surgery offers of $US, 2, 000, for example, are available from inexperienced, newly qualified doctors in America. However one must remember that surgery is a serious business. For top-quality breast surgery, prices begin in America at $US5, 000 - in Germany, 4,000 Euros.
In Brazil one can have surgery performed by a leading expert and save - breast surgery on average costs $US3, 600. For many this makes the trip worthwhile.
First and foremost check the experience and reputation of the doctor. Verify his credentials - qualifications and professional memberships. In the USA, for example, Surgeons are overseen by the American Society of Plastic Surgery. One can request information about licensing and complaints history. Of course one should also inquire about the infrastructure of the hospital and the standards of the operating facilities.
It is a question of ethics, law and best practice. We have doctors, for example, who refuse to perform calf implants. A breast operation for a 14 or 15 year old is certainly not acceptable either. However, the main reason for a refusal - approximately two percent of all patients - is smoking. Here the recovery chances are impeded - the skin regenerates more slowly and wounds take longer to heal.
If one looks at the smooth-ironed faces of some Hollywood stars, less surgery seems better. However, one should not simply disregard the needs of the people. First impressions are derived from one's appearance; sometimes there is no second chance. For people that work in sales and marketing for example, this certainly is an issue. A visit to the surgeon for these and many others can represent a career springboard.
