Patients seek plastic surgery to improve their self-esteem, to change a perceived flaw, or to reverse the effects of aging and massive weight loss. Regardless of their motivation, all patients share a desire for a safe and predictable result. It is important that patients do thorough research and familiarize themselves with the type of procedure they are seeking. It is equally important for plastic surgeons to keep up to date with the latest aesthetic surgery techniques and procedures to give patients their desired results.

Here is a selection of recently published books by prominent plastic surgeons that provide information that both patients and physicians can use.

For the Patient
 Beauty in Balance: A Common Sense Approach to Cosmetic Surgery and Treatments by Allen D. Rosen, MD, and Valerie J. Ablaza, MD, provides information about surgical and nonsurgical options for facelifts, breast enhancements, and liposuction treatments. Beauty in Balance helps patients keep their goals realistic and prepares their minds and bodies for the surgical procedure.

Publisher: MD Publish
Publish Date: February 15, 2006
ISBN: 0-9748997-4-7
Format: Paperback, 189 pages
Price: $14.95

Understanding Cosmetic Procedures: Surgical and Nonsurgical by Efrain Arroyave, MD,covers all aspects of aesthetic medicine and provides information to patients about the physician’s perspective, in addition to a clear understanding of aesthetic surgeries and other procedures. Topics include risks and complications; alternate procedures; procedure techniques; dressing and wound care; anesthesia; scarring; preoperative and postoperative activity; and bathing, hair care, and makeup.

Publisher: Thomson Delmar Learning
Publish Date: January 19, 2006
ISBN: 1-4018-9745-2
Format: Paperback, 241 pages
Price: $75.95

The Essential Cosmetic Surgery Companion by Robert Kotler, MD, FACS, is a consultation workbook that provides essential questions that patients must ask their physicians about the procedures they are seeking. The book features a 5-minute telephone-screening script, checklists for popular procedures, important questions to ask during a consultation, quiz questions, a cost-tabulation worksheet, and a glossary.

Publisher: Ernest Mitchell Publishers
Publish Date: September 28, 2005
ISBN: 0-9712262-2-9
Format: Paperback, 175 pages
Price: $19.95

Face the Facts: The Truth About Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures That Do and Don’t Work by Andrew A. Jacono, MD, FACS,provides a crash course in facial plastic surgery, dermatology, and skin care; and demystifies surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic facial treatments for aging. The book provides information that contributes to the aging appearance and offers advice on how to approach a physician with confidence and gain the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision about what type of procedure to pursue.

Publisher: Medical Arts Publishing
Publish Date: March 24, 2006
ISBN: 1-4196-2483-0
Format: Paperback, 122 pages
Price: $15.95

For the Plastic Surgeon
 Total Body Lift™ by Dennis J. Hurwitz, MD, FACS, is a definitive guide for weight-loss surgery and body-contouring techniques. The book provides information to physicians about the creation of total-body-lift surgery and the evolution of body-contouring surgery. It also features chapters on skin laxity and lipoplasty, motivation and principles, getting ready for surgery, challenges in surgery, and an early recovery program. A gallery of before-and-after photos is included.

Publisher: MD Publish
Publish Date: May 21, 2005
ISBN: 0-9748997-1-2
Format: Hardcover, 192 pages
Price: $29.95

Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss by Al S. Aly, MD, FACS, helps plastic surgeons understand the special needs of the massive-weight-loss patient and to skillfully and safely plan and execute the procedures necessary to contour each body region. Chapters include: belt lipectomy and lower body lift, central body lift, thigh lift, buttock lift and buttock augmentation, large-volume liposuction, brachioplasty, and upper-body lift. They are illustrated with preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative images. Two DVDs—one on upper-body lift and one on belt lipectomy—are enclosed.

Publisher: Quality Medical Publishing Inc
Publish Date: October 15, 2005
ISBN: 1-57626-211-1
Format: Hardcover, 383 pages
Price: $450.00