Friday, April 11, 2008

Plastic Surgery on Mexico

Who in their right mind would go to Mexico for plastic surgery? After all, isn't it a third world country?

Mexico is not exactly a first world country, but, at least in its metropolitan areas, it is far from a third world country.

It is also home to a fine medical school at the University of Guadalajara, where a lot of American students receive their medical degrees. Guadalajara is also the location of the prestigious Institute of Reconstructive Surgery which has been educating physicians from around the world in the latest surgical techniques for over 35 years.

Guadalajara alone has more than 75 certified plastic surgeons and most of the hospital facilities are first rate. Another benefit is the culture of care you will find in Mexico. Unlike most US doctors who seem to be in an eternal rush to get their patients out of their offices, in Mexico doctors spend time listening to their patients' needs and responding to their concerns.

Most of the doctors in Mexico speak at least a little English. Many of them have taken graduate courses or have done their internships and/or residencies in the States. Some are Board Certified by US licensing agencies.

In addition to Guadalajara, there are many fine plastic surgeons in Mexico City and the northern city of Monterrey. There are also many clinics along the Texas, Arizona and California borders, but there you are taking a bigger chance that the care will not be first rate. If you are considering a border clinic, take extra care in checking out the physicians and the facilities.

The cost of a face lift in Guadalajara is about $2500 US. A full suite of services including lifting the eyelids and forehead will run about $6000. These include your hospital or clinic stays.

Even Botox injections are substantially cheaper.

There are services such as Airlift, Inc., which is owned by a nurse, which arrange everything for you, from your flight down, your accommodations while in the county and the doctor, nursing and hospital fees.

In many cases, you can arrange to recuperate in a pleasant facility with round the clock nursing care. By the time most of the swelling and bruising are under control, you will be ready to return home with your new look.

There is a downside however. One of the reasons US care is so expensive is malpractice lawsuits. One of the reasons that Mexican procedures are so cheap is that malpractice is not recognized in Mexico. So, if something does go wrong, you will have no recourse.

However, thousands of Americans, Canadian and even residents of South America flock to Mexico every year for face lifts and other cosmetic procedures. I have been living part time in Mexico for over nine years and have many friends who have had successful surgeries.

Check out the credentials of any physician you are considering carefully, Try to get references. If possible visit one of these cities beforehand so that you can become familiar with the facilities available and you can meet with some of the plastic surgeons.

There is a large ex-patriot community in and around these cities. You can always find help and references by visiting with some of these residents, who are among the biggest consumers of this type of care.

If you have a little sense of adventure and wish to save thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery, Mexico might be the place for you.

For more information on plastic surgery, visit http://www.ageless-beauty.com/antiaging-cosmetic-procedures.html

Jean Bowler was a ballet dancer and instructor, a teacher, a personal trainer and a cosmetics consultant. She is editor of Ageless Beauty - http://www.ageless-beauty.com

Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Giving Your Siding a Facelift

If you are looking to add some value and glamour to your home there is nothing quite like redoing the paint or siding. Now the question is presented, which type of exterior should you choose for your home? The largest deciding factor in this choice is likely going to be what type of exterior is already on the home. If you have vinyl siding, or stucco, or simply painted wood it will usually be more cost effective to stick with what you already have. However here are a few more things to consider when this choice presents itself.

There are four basic types of siding on the market today. Vinyl siding, stucco, aluminum siding and wood. Stucco is a great exterior to deal with and is very easy to keep in pristine condition. A good power washing can bring life back to the most distraught looking stucco quite easily. What to look for to decide if your stucco needs to be redone is crumbling around the bases and edges. Stucco is also easy to paint. When dealing with vinyl siding it is not a good idea to paint this surface as vinyl can bend easily and cause the paint to crack and peel.

Usually in this situation vinyl siding will need to be replaced if it cannot be cleaned. Aluminum and steel siding is another long-lasting surface that is easy to paint and easy to maintain. Usually a fresh coat of paint will bring this metal surface back to life. Finally we come to wood siding. Paining or staining is an absolute necessity for wood as it needs to be protected from the elements, if not it will rot and decay quickly. Is the wood soft and splintered? Can you see the grain on the back side of peeling areas? If so, then replacement might be necessary. The same is true if your siding appears to be warped or buckled.

The exterior of your home is the first thing that people see so it is quite important to have it in the best condition possible. No mater what type of exterior your home has, a little time & effort can make it shine like new! Don't be afraid to put a few dollars into it either, during the sales process it will come back in abundance.

HomesByLender.com is the elite source for FSBO financing and homes for sale by owners. Utilize our nationwide search to locate FSBO homes in any state or town. HomesByLender.com is your one-stop FSBO information source

Labels: , , , , ,

Sell Your Home At Top Dollar With An Inexpensive Face Lift

Have you ever why some homes sell faster than others? It could be the very same model in the same neighborhood, and one home moves quickly whereas some just remain on the market with disinterested buyers. Here are some tips to stage your home to not only sell it, but to get top dollar.

First, examine your home from the curbside as though you had never seen it before. It may be difficult to really put on your objective glasses, but if you can, you will be surprised of how accustomed we become to that broken gate, the damaged garage door, or the garden hose that isn?t rolled up. These may sound like minor issues, but to the home buyer, they?re touring your home with a magnifying glass and a white glove. Begin your evaluation by writing down everything you notice that could improve your property in the slightest way. Here are some inexpensive, easy tips to enhance your home and get top dollar!

Be sure to replace or trim trees and plants and try livening up your garden with some colorful, fragrant flowers near the entrance. In some cases, you can even use beautiful silk floral pieces in large pots as long as they look real!

Varnish or paint the entrance door with subtle colors such as black, burnt brown, gray, forest green, or white. If you?re home is older, replace the old door with a glass entrance door. If you have a screen door, consider purchasing one of the newer models and make sure the latch works for easy entry. First impressions and anticipation of walking into your ?dream house? begins here.

The first thing people notice is if the home is bright and cheery. The last thing homebuyers want to do is walk into a dark hole and depend on a realtor to turn on (and off) the lights and open (and close) all the blinds or shades. The cheery greeting your home gives to people will give them an immediate impression as to how they FEEL about your home. If you have pets, be sure to pack away all their toys and dog foot or kitty litters. Keep your home smelling fresh and clean that doesn't repel the prospective homebuyer.

Flooring is one of the most important features homebuyers will judge. Clean the carpet and don?t request that buyers take off their shoes. Do everything in your power to welcome visitors and keep them there. Any excuse you give them NOT to view your home will lower your numbers. Remember the more people who view your home, the better chance you have in selling it.

Replace bathroom fixtures with the newer ones ?Hollywood lights are out. Make sure the bathtub is scrubbed clean as well as shower stalls. Buy a new shower curtain, if necessary and caulk around tiles in the shower and tub. Be aware that bright colors or children's colors may be a turn-off to new buyers. Paint your walls with neutral colors such as beige or off white.

Take out the clutter, garbage, stinky shoes, and put your dirty clothes in the hamper. It's very important to have those beds fixed in the morning too! Clean the sliding glass door to the patio as well as the patio furniture. Cut and trim the grass often for a fresh, clean smell.

People want to imagine their families living in their future home and you have the ability to set the stage. The home should be complete with bar stools at the breakfast nook, soft lighting, and nice furniture. Remember, the backyard has become an extension of the home. Show off your BBQ, patio furniture or children's play area in a way that they feel their own family would enjoy.

If you have a pool, have the pool guy come over so your pool is sparkling clean. Buy some Tahiti candle torches for a tropical look. If you have a bar, place plastic glasses and trays as though you were ready to have a party. If you don?t have a covered patio, you may want to make a small investment by buying a canvas cabana that warms the heart and sets a romantic mood. Put some candles on your patio table and accentuate with lots of plants surrounding the patio.

Blinds, plantation shutters, and Roman shades are in. The least expensive, but most popular choice, is to replace your verticals or outdated mini-blinds with wooden blinds. They?re easy to install yourself and will make a big difference in the overall look of the home. You may find some very nice Roman shades that are reasonable and can be used in lieu of curtains as a trim. Curtain panels from the high ceilings will serve as a window treatment and add elegance or magnitude to your room also.

Make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are always clean and remember that homebuyers will look in your pantry and closets. You can always fake it by cleaning the sinks every morning before leaving for work and wiping down the mirrors if there are any noticeable spots. Never leave dirty dishes or pots and pans in the sink. Just hide them in the dishwasher.

Dare to be open enough to get opinions from your friends, neighbors, and realtor. Ask if they have any suggestions as to how to arrange your furniture and be willing to give it a try to see how it looks. Their perspective may make a big difference in your entire floor plan. People are looking for space so you want to do whatever it takes to make your home look open and spacious.

If you feel that your bottom line can handle more expensive upgrades to compete against other newer homes, you may want to replace old carpeting with 18" tile and new carpeting in the bedrooms with a thick pad. I wouldn?t suggest changing your countertops to granite or changing the kitchen cabinets as that would be very expensive and may not be compensated unless you are doing a total renovation.

Make sure your realtor is marketing your home with brochures, advertising, open houses, and flattering PHOTOS on the MLS. This is a big, emotional purchase for the homebuyers so make your home stand out and shout ? WELCOME HOME!

Doris Pi?a is a successful licensed realtor in Las Vegas, Nevada and offers buyer-seller resources at http://www.LasVegasHomeSellingTeam.com. She also is the publisher and webmaster at http://www.dorisjeanpina.com providing information and sources to develop entrepreneurial skills in a successful and productive way. She promotes building innovative online businesses with visual instructional resources and topics of http://www.dorisjeanpina.com/thesecret

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, March 14, 2008

Natural Face Lift Method Rejuvenates Face

Are you worried by wrinkles or signs of an ageing face? Well so are thousands of other women throughout the world as well as a growing number of men. Most buy expensive creams and treatments or resort to facial surgery and other medical procedures to buy themselves a few more years. The cost can be high, the procedures often painful and the results can be disappointing and not always what was intended. Sadly, it is often true that such procedures need to be repeated again in future years.

Much of this is completely unnecessary. There is a natural alternative using facial exercises that can counter the effects of age on the face, providing in effect, a natural face lift. The great thing is that not only is this technique natural and safe it is also highly effective.

It is interesting that just about everyone knows the benefits of exercise generally not only for health but also for maintaining their figure, tightening up loose skin after wait loss or just "getting in shape". Some people go to enormous lengths to maintain a great physique. Working out or exercising regularly to develop muscle tone and shape, but few ever seem to bother to do this for the face, even though this is the part of our body that everyone sees and that generally gives away our age, health and emotional state.

Whilst good diet and drinking plenty of water are essential for a healthy skin, like any other part of the body the face has muscles, over 50 in fact and these also look great when they are kept in shape and help maintain a youthful appearance. Flabby and saggy facial muscles will only accentuate the effects of age but healthy toned facial muscle will give the face a far more youthful look, reducing wrinkles, defining features, bringing firmer and better toned skin and a radiant glow that always accompanies healthy skin.

Facial exercises typically take only ten minutes a day. They are an effective way to restore and maintain a youthful face. They do not require any special equipment, creams or even a gym membership; you can do them anywhere, anytime. The other good news is that it does not matter when you start doing them, whatever age you are at you can bring about a marked and in some cases dramatic improvement in your appearance. As the muscles firm and plump up under the skin wrinkles seem to erase, lines smooth and all those saggy bits tighten up.

Here is a quick exercise to try even if you do not feel you need a facelift. This exercise works on all the key pressure points just like reflexology on the foot. Hold your earlobes firmly between thumb and forefinger and gently rub over the surface. Work your way up and around the edge of the ear, rubbing them back and forth and then your work your way back to the lobes again. Do this a few times and notice how much more energised, warm and alive your face feels.

If you are concerned about your face or thinking of a quick nip and tuck why not give it a bit of a workout instead? Facial exercise can be fun, its free and it can take years off your face.

To learn more about natural face lift exercises or to try another free facial exercise; please visit The Natural Facelift Method Site at http://www.facelift4u.com

Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

So You Think You Need a Facelift

Looked in the mirror only to hypercritically proclaim: "I need a facelift!"? If so, you are not alone. Every person over the age of 40 has begun to see subtle shifting in their facial appearance. Out of nowhere lines and folds have begun their development and all of a sudden, the once tight, sculpted chin has slackened leaving you feeling pretty glum knowing that you are beginning to look older than you ever thought possible.

You also know that if you aren't somehow, someway proactive, this aging is not going to correct itself.

There are only a few methods that will return the look of youthfulness to your face; some are natural, some are painful and expensive and some are just ludicrous gimmicks that deplete you of funds and subject you to great risk and bodily harm.

Which one would you choose?

The most talked about anti-aging remedies are terribly risky and dangerous because long term results have not been determined or documented. This includes injections and surgery.

Injections of foreign substances and cadaver material will definitely change your appearance; lips become misshapen and if the injections are used in the face, the face looks plasticized and unnatural. In order to maintain the results, further injections are required to be repeated over and over again. Just how many substances can the body endure? No one knows.

Surgery is very risky as well ? surgery is a crap shoot because no one can guarantee the results of a procedure. Not only are there scars that produce loss of sensation and feeling in the excised area, there is always a risk of infection and disappointment because the face is forever distorted by surgery. Further aging is accentuated because the muscles and skin are now draped unnaturally; the face loudly shouts that your surgical face lift needs refreshing.

One interesting item in the marketplace is the hand-held, battery powered, electro-stimulation device that shoots electrical micro-currents into the face. These devices can create a slight contraction of the muscle which may affect the skin very temporarily after four to six weeks of use; usually the user needs to continually treat the area each day to create and then maintain the results. There are cautions that need to be heeded using these devices. Over-use is a common side effect that can cause permanent damage such as involuntary muscle twitching which is not attractive and can be very disturbing to witness. An annoying stinging sensation is another by-product of superficial stimulation to the epidermal layer. Without resistance, the results are very temporary.

Another consideration beyond price and risk regarding injections and surgeries are the qualifications of the person executing the procedure. Is this person a physician? Is this person a dentist or a gynecologist performing plastic surgery? What's a girl to do?

Use a zero risk, no side-effect solution. It's true; a proven technique does exist that can correct aging, sagging faces. This solution is fast, safe and totally amazing.

Highly specialized facial exercises can easily restore your face to its former youthfulness. These exercises are easy to learn and easy to perform. They do not cause wrinkles as some physicians would like you to believe, rather, these exercises lift your face so dramatically, the results rival a magic wand.

In hardly any time at all eyelids lift and fine lines and wrinkles smooth. Your cheeks become prominent as your jaw sculpts and firms. From day one of this type of facial retraining muscles and skin respond to increased oxygenation caused by contraction and resistance exercises. The muscles begin to plump up, shorten and lift. Your skin responds by following the new, youthful positioning of the facial muscles. In just weeks your face looks revitalized and younger.

Keep in mind you can safely alter the shape and contour of your face and neck without an invasive, expensive, painful or risky procedure. These dire consequences are totally unnecessary if beauty and youthfulness are your desire.

Imagine yourself looking as young as you feel and you made it happen using only your thumbs and fingertips

Cynthia Rowland is widely recognized as an expert in all natural facial fitness with over thirty years experience in health & beauty related fields. She has appeared on The View, NBC 4, Fit TV, HGTV and other popular shows. This author, speaker and television personality is leading the crusade to keep men and women looking vibrantly younger through natural techniques without spending their children?s inheritance.

Cynthia Rowland

?I Save Faces? http://www.rejenuve.com/FacialMagicSL.htm

Labels: , , , ,

Monday, February 11, 2008

Important Facts About Face Lifts

One of the most discouraging aspects of a face lift is the fact that you will not walk out of the office looking beautiful. In many cases, a lot of people will not see the difference. The purpose of a face lift is not to return you to the beauty you enjoyed when you were twenty, or to make you beautiful, but to correct imperfections and reduce the signs of aging.

Plastic surgeons take a lot of time trying to explain to people that they will still look the same when they walk out of the office, but people listen and do not hear. This is in part to advertising.

Every single face lift clinic has the image of a young girl, a perfect eye, or a flawless completion in their ad. In fact, it can be shocking to look at the ads. I?ve seen ads with women?s bellies that were flawless. However, on a closer look I noticed that the woman?s belly was too fat ? she had no developed womb. The ?image? that the doctor was portraying to his potential patients was from a pre-pubescent female.

This is often done when advertising face lifts. The skin of a very young person, under sixteen has an iridescent glow, a full, translucent quality, and an innocence that is emotionally appealing. There is a subliminal message there, ?you can look like this again.?

Of course, we all want to look younger, but to expect a plastic surgeon to return your face to the beauty displayed in high school pictures is not only impossible, it is ridiculous.

Another thing that many patient do not hear is that plastic surgeons can only do so much. There is only a certain amount of skin that can be nipped and tucked before the face starts to look weird.

A 49 year old woman can expect to look 40, or even 30, if she has good healthy skin. It is impossible to make her look 20.

There are other considerations when having a face lift that includes the patients weight. A 200 pound woman will look foolish if the doctor removes the fat from her face, but leaves it around the rest of their body.

This means that the doctor may remove the lines, sags, and wrinkles, but leave the fat. But, this is not the only concern. A person with a lot of weight who wants extensive face lift surgery may see their face shape change, oval to round, round to oval. Only a surgeon can accurately predict what will happen.

This doesn?t mean that there isn?t good news. It is possible to exchange a tired looking, saggy face for a tighter, brighter face. It is possible to bring out one beautiful feature, eyes, nose, or mouth, and enhance its beauty in a way that adds a glow to the entire face.

And, it is possible, in many cases, for plastic surgeons to correct flaws that are not associated with beauty.

It is also important to understand that the face will continue to age. Jowls can reappear in as little as two years. Lines will reappear. A face lift is not a long term cure for aging.

But, understanding these things before you enter the surgeons office can make it easier for patients to pick the procedure that will make them feel beautiful and empower them so they can get on with living.

Ethan Miller advises on improving your heath and reducing pain from his web site at http://www.lasikpower.com He invites you to get his FREE health guide http://www.cosmeticsurgerystar.com

Labels: , , ,

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Give Facial Massaging a Try in place of a Face-Lift

Wrinkles, crow?s feet, bags under the eyes and sagging lips are often times associated with an aging face. Many resort to a face-lift or other forms of plastic surgery, but what if you could accomplish younger looking facial skin without spending a dime?

Not to sound vain or anything, I have been often complimented on my so-called facial features like a strong jaw-line and high cheek bones etc

Perhaps, my vegan (mostly raw) diet plays a role in me being so slim and this besides serving as a natural anti-aging strategy, does contribute to the "structure" of my face.

Nonetheless, I do massage my face often and facial massaging also impacts greatly the anti-aging results sought after for the face.

The beauty is it takes less than 4 minutes or so to use and it costs you nothing but maybe the time used.

Here?s exactly how to use massaging for the face.

1. Wash your hands, especially your fingertips, thoroughly.

2. Now with your thumbs firmly gripping your jaw-line, proceed to pressing with the free four fingers the upper jaw line working from the center outwards.

3. Do 2-3 sets pressing firmly.

4. Now press the areas directly above the jaw line in the same center-going- outwards-direction firmly 2-3 times.

5. Do this working upwards till you reach the forehead line. See illustrations below:

If done correctly you should see little specks of dead skin on your face.

In a feathery motion, pinch at the entire face for as long as you desire (1-2 minutes) using all the free fingers in firm actions grasping the skin.

Now, in a downward-scraping motion using the finger tips, rub the jugular veins located at the sides of the neck (6-8) times, and then massage the outer part of the chest right next to the armpits in a firm circular motion ensuring you breathe deeply as well.

According to the Egyptians (and from my own experiences) this simple procedure has a marked effect on alleviating bags and crow's feet from the eyes and directing the flow of toxins away from the face.

Wash your hands with soap and rinse the face with cool water only-gently but firmly. Wipe dry with a paper towel (or a towel you use only for your face)

Of course other factors come into mind to improve overall health which would be reflected in your face, however, to ?tone? and sculpt the facial muscles and decrease those unwanted lines and wrinkles, facial massaging should be an integral part of your anti-aging strategy.

Here?s to staying, looking and feeling younger AND to health.

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His Website today for more on Healthy Living Tips and information on Anti-Aging

Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Shower Curtains: the Perfect Facelift for Your Bathroom

 Looking for a quick makeover for your home? Start with your bathroom! Installing a new shower curtain can be the coolest way to cheer up your bathroom without investing a lot of money in the process. There are many styles of shower curtains to choose from, and you may be surprised at how dramatically a simple shower curtain can change the dynamics of a room. You can choose shower curtains that will stand out from the rest of your bathroom's colors, or you can choose one that provides a subtler match. It's all up to you: the possibilities are virtually endless!

If you are tired of cleaning up your shower enclosure -- and anyone that has been forced to combat soap scum before is likely darn tired of it -- will find shower curtains to be an effective solution to this issue. Shower enclosures, as well as shower curtains, accumulate humidity and, after a while, they become ugly. The difference is that changing shower curtains costs almost nothing compared to changing a glass or acrylic shower enclosure.

Sometimes people dismiss shower curtains as being cheap and generic, but when you consider the wide variety of styles and price tiers you'll find that curtains are hardly limited to cheap white vinyl curtains. If you have children, you can choose a nice shower curtain with dolphins, little fish or funny ducks printed on it, or you can go with more "formal" designs, like geometric patterns or lines. You can even choose a loud color to make your bathroom festive!

Bathroom shower curtains are made of different types of washable fabrics, including polyester, plastic and even cotton. Most of them have a weight attached at its bottom to avoid the "shower curtain effect" (which is the effect of the curtain unpleasantly wrinkling and/or sticking to your leg when you take a shower). Most shower curtains are also waterproofed, and it is also possible to attach an impermeable liner to your shower curtain if you're using a fabric curtain.

Another advantage of the use of shower curtains in your bathroom is that they don't need you to drill any holes on your walls: just get a spring loaded rod, adjust its size to fit between two walls and suspend your curtain from it by using hooks or rings. This ease of installation also saves you money by allowing you to do it by yourself rather than paying someone to install it.

Dots, stripes, waves, animals and many other designs are available, ensuring you will find shower curtains that fit virtually every need, even if your design preferences can be considered unique or offbeat. Nautical themed curtains as well as the old standby known as the rubber ducky are very popular, but nowadays you can find every design you like; I have even seen shower curtains featuring Mexican hats! And, if you are really specific, you could look into having a curtain custom designed specifically for you. Wait no more, and provide an exciting new look to your bathroom with new shower curtains!
 

Labels: , , , ,