Finding The Average Cost Of Cosmetic Surgery

By Michelle Bery

As society continues to be fascinated with the medical community's ability to change a person's appearance we get more and more sucked in. Any day of the week, with a click of the remote control, we can be in the operating room with a patient receiving cosmetic surgery - and we're hooked. It can be fascinating to witness the transformation of someone struggling with self-esteem; and we eagerly anticipate the unveiling; what will the patient look like with his new nose, with her new breasts, new teeth, thinner thighs?

We are a culture for whom cosmetic surgery has become standard operating procedure. Whether we are unhappy with the toll age has taken on our faces or the way our belly droops over our jeans, we need only visit a cosmetic surgeon to eliminate or change that which does not work.

When it comes to such procedures there are numerous things to consider – finding a reputable surgeon, preparing for surgery itself, and learning the average cost of cosmetic surgery. While all these steps require extensive research, determining the average cost of cosmetic surgery can be tricky simply because it fluctuates so dramatically.

The average cost of cosmetic surgery depends on a number of factors; not the least of which is the area in which you live. The average cost of cosmetic surgery on one side of the country may not be the average cost of cosmetic surgery on the other side of the country. Therefore, decide first where you want to have your surgery performed. Most people choose to stay in the area in which they live. But if you are from a smaller town with less surgical resources, you may choose to travel to a larger city where you can choose from more experienced doctors.

Once you have decided on a specific area then you can narrow down the average cost of cosmetic surgery. Take a sampling from doctors in this area just to get an idea. You will probably still see a variance in price among these doctors. Remember, experienced, highly-regarded doctors come at a price. Sometimes it is true that you get what you pay for.

Once you have established a ballpark figure you can begin to whittle it down based on the doctors in which you are interested. Again, the average cost of cosmetic surgery may not wind up being the actual cost you pay. But it will give you an idea so that you make arrangements for financing if needed.

For easy to understand, in depth information about cosmetic surgery costs visit our ezGuide 2 Cosmetic Surgery.

How Does Hypnosis Work

By Dr.Hanish Babu, MD

Bryan defined hypnosis as a normal physiological, altered state of consciousness, similar to, but not the same as being awake; similar to but not the same as being asleep, and is produced by the presence of two conditions:

1. A central focus of attention, and
2. Surrounding areas of inhibition.

The state of hypnosis thus produces three responses:

1. An increased concentration of the mind: Usually in the wakeful state, our ‘units of mind power' are scattered throughout the brain(SJ Van Pelt). Any extraneous suggestions during this stage will go scattered throughout and will be captured only by a few mind power units. In the hypnotic trance, these units of mind power are concentrated to a point that the suggestions get absorbed and retained easier.
2. Increased relaxation of the body: Popular hypnotic induction involves the progressive muscular relaxation techniques, whereby muscle groups are tensed and relaxed gradually to achieve a fully relaxed body and mind.
3. Increased susceptibility to suggestion: This is the outcome of the preceding 2 responses, the concentration of mind and the relaxed body. The mind, which is in a twilight zone between the wakefulness and sleep, is highly receptive to suggestions during the hypnotic state.

To further understand how hypnosis works requires knowledge about the various physiological levels of our mind: the conscious, the subconscious and the unconscious. In simple terms, these levels represent the state of wakefulness and can be re-classified thus:

1. Alert: Normal state where your mind and body are fully awake and functioning. E.g. you are on the dance floor with your lover.
2. Daydreaming: Light trance state. Eyes open or closed consciously. Body relaxed a bit. Breathing is relaxed and slowed, heart beat regular. A soothing feeling in mind. Withdraws into self with mild awareness of surroundings. The direction of attention is towards an imagines activity. E.g. you are idly thinking about dancing with your lover.
3. Moderate Trance: Eyes closed, decreasing awareness of surroundings, increased awareness of heart beat and breathing, increased suggestibility and imagery. E.g. you imagine yourself on the dance floor with your lover.
4. Deep Trance: Limbs limp. Body fully relaxed. Attention narrowed. High suggestibility. Sensory illusions possible. Auditory receptiveness and environmental awareness minimum. Creative function heightened. E.g. you physically feel yourself gyrating around with your lover!
5. Normal Sleep: Voluntary activities suspended, reduced/absent consciousness. E.g. You dream about dancing with your lover, who may have the face of Angelina Jolie or Aiswarya Rai.:-)

The levels 2-4 are the stages of hypnotic trance, where your mind gradually shifts gear from the conscious through subconscious to unconscious level sleep. It is during these stages that one is highly susceptible to suggestions. The suggestibility varies from individual to individual. One person may be highly receptive in light trance whereas another may have to go into deep trance before achieving such a state of suggestibility.

The suggestions given during hypnotic trance are generally positive, with directions that the subject will continue to experience, say, more relaxation and increased self esteem, even after he comes out of the hypnosis. This is called post hypnotic suggestion. The post hypnotic suggestions are implanted in the subconscious and with repeated sessions, are bolstered enough to be accepted by the conscious.

Thus hypnosis and hypnotherapy is useful in behavioural modifications to get rid of undesirable character traits. During the hypnotic trance, it is even possible to induce deeper bodily responses like complete numbness of a body part or healing responses in psychosomatic diseases.

Dr.Hanish Babu, MD is a Dermato-Venereologist, author, stress management trainer, certified hypnotist and a netpreneur. He has recently released a stress management package "10 Days to Stress Free Life". For more articles on Stress Management, Skin Diseases, Skin Care Tips, Hypnosis, Hair Care, Self Improvement, Humour and Health Care, visit the Home Page of Dr.Hanish Babu.