Otoplasty or Cosmetic Ear Surgery

It's a common situation. You're sitting with a friend and a gorgeous woman walks past the both of you. Your friend leans in to you and says, 'You think those are real?' You respond, 'Totally implants. Those can't possibly be her real ears.' Luckily, otoplasty (better known as cosmetic ear surgery) does not help you hear any better, so the gorgeous woman doesn't overhear your conversation.

What is it?
Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that aims to reduce the size of large, floppy ears. While there are many different scenarios and procedures within the field of otolaryngology (an English word so suspiciously long, one might suspect it's somehow German), the most common is referred to as 'pinning back the ears', which helps to correct ears that protrude too far from the head (2 cm from the back of the head, to be exact, though I'm not sure what ear impresario decided that).

The surgery lasts somewhere around two hours and consists of a small incision being made behind the ear, in the crease where the ear and head meet. From there, the surgeon can remove skin and cartilage or possibly even reshape or trim the cartilage. Lastly, your newly sculpted cartilage will be secured by permanent stitches. The recovery period is generally quick (at least quicker than most plastic surgery procedures) and will probably require wearing soft dressings over the ears or possibly even a headband (maybe consider going on tour with Willie Nelson for the entirety of your headband/recovery time).

Besides pinning back the ears, otoplasty can cover mostly all of your cosmetic ear needs. Ear deformities can be corrected, such as 'lop-ear deformity', which occurs when the raised cartilage, which shapes the upper portion of the ear, does not form completely. Torn earlobes can also be corrected, and if you're missing an ear (perhaps Mike Tyson bit one of them off) you can opt for a brand new artificial ear, primarily constructed out of rib cartilage, soft tissue, and maybe a biomedical implant.

Who needs it?
Ear deformities completely justify otoplasty, first and foremost. It's less easy to justify surgery that generally ranges between $2,000 and $5,000, because you think your ears stick out too far from your head. But if you're willing to pay, and there are always people willing to pay, then shoot for some otoplasty if you feel it will raise your self-esteem. In all honesty though, after perusing through many different 'before and after' pictures, I sometimes had trouble identifying which was the 'before' and which was the 'after'.

That being said, otoplasty is considered to be one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures among men, probably due to the higher visibility of the ears on account of shorter hair (excluding Fabio of course, who isn't so much of a man as he is a stallion). However, otoplasty will benefit children, as young as four or five, more than anyone. It makes sense, considering that the only time you will probably ever be harassed for having 'retarded' ears is during adolescence.

Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of cosmetic ear surgery is that it has one of the lowest risk rates among plastic surgery. On top of that, otoplasty can correct a wide range of ear deformities, such as large ears, small ears, protruding ears, cupped ears, cauliflower ears, and folded ears. But of course, the most evident benefit is psychological (this is cosmetic surgery, folks), which means you feel less likely to be a target, naturally raising self-confidence by eliminating bullies.

Risks
Though otoplasty is considered low-risk, complications can possibly occur, such as infection, overcorrection, and, in extremely rare cases, altered hearing. In addition to that, common side effects from the procedure are postoperative pain, itching, and occasional numbness, though all of these can be easily treated with medication.

The bottom line
Due to its low risk nature, otoplasty is can be a quick fix for deformed ears, whether naturally deformed or deformed from an accident. However, it's a lot of money for a problem that, in terms of adults, seems rather trivial, especially if your ears are only slightly larger than normal. The procedure appears to be more appropriate for children' but let's face it, children getting plastic surgery seems a little dubious as well. And plus, look what great things big-eared people have done with their lives: Martin Lawrence had his own sitcom and was nominated for an MTV movie award for his portrayal of 'Big Momma' in the unforgettable Big Momma's House; Prince Charles is a freaking prince; Will Smith, who is technically a prince as well, wrote and performed 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It', which is considered by some (me) to be the national anthem; and come on, let's not forget our president, Barack Obama, letting big-eared kids all around the country know that someday they can be president too.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.
resource: http://anthem8.tk/541380-Cosmetic-Ear-Surgery-Envious-Ears.html

Men's Health Muscle Chow - 150 Foods to Feed Your Muscles and Fuel Your Workouts

Product Description
Achieving your best body ever requires that two elements merge as one: solid training and excellent nutrition. This book provides the nutritional component of that muscle-bulding equation, offering the Men’s Health take on food for fitness. Men’s Health Muscle Chow gives you more than 150 simple recipes for tasty meals ranging from workout protein shakes to healthy dinners the whole family will delight in. Inside, you’ll find:

• Eight simple-to-remember dietary strategies to keep your eating habits in line
• Filling breakfasts like Banana Protein Pancakes; energizing entrées including Muscle-Bound Chili and Mahi Fish Wraps; hunger-killing snacks such as Malted Almond Bombs; even desserts like Key Lime Pie—all designed to help burn stout and build muscle
• A shopping list that makes it simple to stock up on essential ingredients and kitchen tools
• A troubleshooting guide for guys with more experience at the gym than in the kitchen
• Insider strategies, tips, tricks of the trade

And Men’s Health Muscle Chow is much more than just a cookbook. It offers a solid foundation for understanding meal timing and the effects nutrients have on your body. Author Gregg Avedon also outlines his program of 2-month diet cycles that help you set and reach your fitness goals.
resource:  http://earningpictures.com/?p=15262

Plastic Surgery for Men QT: I am gaining weight..could low testosterone levels be the reason?

40 percent of obese participants in study had lower readings

Men who are tipping the scales might want to get their testosterone levels checked, according to a new study showing obese mean are more likely than others to have low levels of this sex hormone.

Forty percent of obese participants in the study had lower-than-normal testosterone readings. And for those obese men who also had diabetes that percent rose to 50 percent.

A separate study last year found that obese men who lost significant weight reported better sexual function. 

While past studies have shown a link between diabetes and low testosterone, the new one is the largest analysis to look at the association between obesity and low testosterone . In fact, the Endocrine Society now recommends that all men with type 2 diabetes have their testosterone levels measured. Now, it seems, obese men, even younger men, should also get screened for low testosterone, the researchers say. "The effect of diabetes on lowering testosterone levels was similar to that of a weight gain of approximately 20 pounds," said lead author Dr. Sandeep Dhindsa, an endocrinology specialist at the University of Buffalo, Department of Medicine, and lead author of the study published online ahead of print in the journal Diabetes Care.

With our waistlines expanding, the results could speak to many American men. "In view of the fact that almost one-third of the U.S. is obese, these observations have profound pathophysiological, clinical, epidemiological and public health implications," Dhindsa said.

The study involved 2,165 men, 45 years or older, who provided blood samples for analysis of testosterone concentrations and who were taking part in the Hypogonadism in Males (HIM) study funded by Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc. The study was conducted from November 2003 to February 2004 in 95 primary care practices throughout the United States. (This was an unfunded analysis of HIM data.)

Body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of height and weight that estimates body fat, was used to indicate obesity.

Men with diabetes, whether obese or not, showed lower levels of testosterone than non-diabetic men across all weight categories. Testosterone levels decreased significantly in both diabetic and non-diabetic men as BMI increased.

UB endocrinologists published a study in Diabetes Care in 2008 showing that more than 50 percent of men between 18 and 35 years old with type 2 diabetes had lower than normal testosterone levels.

"In view of the high rates of subnormal testosterone in patients with obesity or diabetes, testosterone concentrations should be measured regularly in these populations, especially when these conditions occur together," said study researcher Dr. Paresh Dandona, head of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at UB.

resource: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36919773

Plastic Surgery for Men QT: Is taking HGH (Human Growth Hormone) Safe?

Growth Hormone Not Safe or Effective in Slowing Aging
By Harvard Men’s Health Watch
May 11, 2010 - 12:10:17 PM

BOSTON — More and more men are turning to human growth hormone in hopes of slowing the tick of their bodies' clocks. Some men are motivated by the claims of the anti-aging movement, others by examples of young athletes seeking a competitive edge. But does growth hormone actually boost performance or slow aging? And is it safe? Not really, reports the May 2010 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

Among its many biological effects, human growth hormone helps increase muscle mass and reduce body fat. As men age, their levels of the hormone fall. During the same time span, muscle mass declines and body fat increases. In hopes of reversing this aging-related physical decline, some theorists suggest taking injections of human growth hormone. However, the FDA has not approved human growth hormone for anti-aging treatment or athletic enhancement, and it is illegal to market or distribute the hormone for these purposes.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of human growth hormone in healthy older people, researchers reviewed 31 studies that were completed since 1989. Individuals treated with the hormone gained 4.6 pounds of lean body mass and shed a similar amount of body fat. Injections of the hormone led to a slight drop in total cholesterol levels, but no significant changes in LDL or HDL cholesterol levels, triglycerides, aerobic capacity, bone density, or fasting blood sugar and insulin levels. On the flip side, study participants who received human growth hormone experienced a high rate of side effects, including fluid retention, joint pain, breast enlargement, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

While more study is needed, human growth hormone does not appear to be either safe or effective for basically healthy men of any age, notes Harvard Men’s Health Watch. The best way to slow the aging process and stay healthy is still a combination of diet and exercise. By adopting a healthful lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of many chronic illnesses, enhance your vigor, and slow the tick of the clock.
resource: http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Research_270/Growth_Hormone_Not_Safe_or_Effective_in_Slowing_Aging.shtml

Plastic Surgery for Men QT: I heard they have identified the hair loss gene..is this true?

reource: MedicineNet.com

Genetic Mutation May Play Role in Male Pattern Baldness and a Rare Hair Loss Disorder
A gene responsible for a rare hair loss disorder may also play an important role in male pattern baldness, according to a new study.

Researchers have identified a genetic mutation involved in hypotrichosis simplex, a hereditary hair loss disorder that affects less than 200,000 Americans. The disorder causes hair follicle miniaturization, a process in which hair follicles shrink and narrow, and thick hair is replaced by fine, downy "peach fuzz" hair.
But researchers say that the same process is also a key component of male pattern baldness.

"The identification of this gene underlying hereditary hypotrichosis simplex has afforded us an opportunity to gain insight into the process of hair follicle miniaturization, which is most commonly observed in male pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia," says researcher Angela M. Christiano, PhD, professor of dermatology and genetics and development at Columbia University Medical Center, in a news release.

The study, published in Nature, highlights the role of a mutated version of the gene APCDD1 in hair follicle biology.

Previous research has already linked the gene to other hair loss disorders, but in this study researchers found the mutated gene inhibits a signaling pathway involved in hair growth.

By learning more about this pathway, known as the Wnt pathway, researchers say the discovery may lead to new and improved treatments for male pattern baldness and other hair loss disorders.

"We have at last made a connection between Wnt signaling and human hair disease that is highly significant," says Christiano. "And unlike commonly available treatments for hair loss that involve blocking hormonal pathways, treatments involving the Wnt pathway would be non-hormonal, which may enable many more people suffering from hair loss to receive such therapies."