Did you know that Dr Copeland’s book  Change Your Looks, Change Your Life can now be purchased for the Kindle?  If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery, this book remains an essential guide to the options available from minor to major. This is what Dan’s Paper of the happening Hamptons  said about this must read book:  “Who said beauty is only skin-deep? Certainly not anyone who has broken off a promising relationship, or suffered a plunge in self confidence, thanks to crow’s feet, saddlebags, or a scowl embedded in your forehead. Appearance, in fact, has an enormous impact on emotional well being and quality of life, for people of all ages and for men as well as women.

An accomplished and renowned plastic surgeon and Bridgehampton resident, Dr. Michelle Copeland, shows how easy it can be for just about anyone to improve his or her appearance—and transform their entire outlook. It’s all in her informative uplifting book, Change Your Looks, Change Your Life. The book, packed with quick fixes and cosmetic surgery solutions, is worth every penny and most enjoyable reading, shows you how Dr. Copeland is a firm believer in cosmetic wellness—making physical changes for the emotional and health benefits. Dr. Copeland presents a comprehensive, detailed and realistic guide to the many cosmetic options available, with an emphasis on the least invasive and most effective, safe and affordable procedures.”

New American Society of Plastic Surgeons statistics showed  an overall increase in men turning to cosmetic procedures in the past few months. The most common procedures men are seeking? Facial rejuvenation through facelifts and non-invasive procedures such as was Thermage, liposuction, and male breast reductions are topping the list. In Change Your Looks, Change your Life, Quick Fixes and Cosmetic Surgery Solutions for Looking Younger, Feeling Healthier, and Living Better I discuss males and plastic surgery. What’s with the souped-up interest? At least half of it, in my opinion, has to do with career. A man who eliminates a paunch that months of pumping iron can’t shake, or improves a weak chin that’s been hiding under a beard, feels instantly recharged. His once-flagging confidence among co-workers, not to mention among peers and women who aren’t colleagues, is replaced by self-esteem. After thousands of hours of conversations with hundreds of males, I can testify that they are no less concerned about their looks than women are.

An article in today’s MSNBC discussed the influx of bargain plastic surgery procedures using local anesthesia alone. A directory of doctors offering “Awake Procedures” can be found online where prospective candidates are turning to in order to save anesthesia costs. But BUYER BEWARE. Because liposuction is so quick and offers instant results, lots of non-plastic surgeons are performing it. Although the procedure seems easy, it is surgery. Many of these new practitioners aren’t even trained M.D.s and are shockingly unprepared to deal with complications should they arise.

Furthermore, many of the folks who just hang out a liposuction shingle, be it a spa, health club, or private office, are practicing in terribly unsanitary conditions, without masks, gloves, lab coat, or even a dedicated operating room. For your own safety, you must insist that your surgeon perform in a licensed operating room. In Southern California alone, 40% of liposuction practitioners had no prior training in the procedure before opening their practice.

So what should you look for? You should expect your doctor to be more than just aware of, but positively fluent in, such recent and dramatic advances. Above all, your doctor should be board-certified in plastic surgery. Will your doctor be able to handle complications during surgery or the healing process, should any arise? A board-certified plastic surgeon has had years of training in the handling and sculpting of skin tissue and its healing, and may be the doctor best equipped to handle the unexpected. You also want to make sure you’re having surgery at an accredited surgical facility.