Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Cosmetic Trends, GLP-1 Medications, and Health Benefits of Friendships

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Cosmetic Trends, GLP-1 Medications, and Health Benefits of Friendships · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Good morning, and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Doctor Chi-Ming Chow.
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  I'm your host, Doctor Chi-Ming Chow, and today we're diving into some fascinating insights
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  from the field of cosmetic procedures.
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  As we continue to see a rise in the pursuit of aesthetic health, a new report from the
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  American Society of Plastic Surgeons sheds light on what's trending and why.
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  According to the report, nearly 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in
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  2024, with liposuction and breast augmentation topping the list.
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  Liposuction accounted for over 349,000 procedures, while breast augmentation was not
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  far behind with over 306,000.
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  Other popular surgeries include tummy tucks, breast lifts, and eyelid surgeries.
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  It's interesting to see a 1% growth in surgical procedures from the previous year, with body
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  contouring showing the most significant increase.
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  The report also highlights a notable rise in minimally invasive procedures, which continue
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  to dominate the aesthetic landscape.
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  More than 28.5 million of these procedures were performed last year, with neuromodulator
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  injections like Botox leading the pack.
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  Hyaluronic acid fillers, skin resurfacing treatments, and lip augmentations are also
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  among the top choices for those seeking subtle enhancements with little downtime.
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  A fascinating aspect of the report is the tracking of GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such
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  as Ozempic and Wegovy.
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  These medications are increasingly being used to help patients reach a healthy weight before
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  surgery.
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  Over 837,000 prescriptions were written by surgeons last year alone.
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  However, it's important to note, as emphasized by experts, that these medications are not
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  substitutes for surgical procedures but rather a part of the preparation process for those
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  considering surgeries like tummy tucks or lifts.
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  Experts speculate that the surge in cosmetic procedures may be fueled by greater exposure
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  through social media and a decrease in societal taboos.
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  This normalization of aesthetic care has made procedures more accessible and less
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  stigmatized.
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  Patients are now more open about their experiences, seeking natural and subtle
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  enhancements rather than exaggerated results.
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  This trend towards a more refined look, often referred to as the "ballerina body," is gaining
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  popularity.
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  It's also worth noting the rise in reconstructive surgeries, with over one million
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  performed in 2024.
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  These include tumor removals, hand surgeries, and breast reconstructions.
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  Plastic surgeons continue to innovate, not just in aesthetics but also in complex wound care
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  and trauma treatment.
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  Safety remains a top priority, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons emphasizes the
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  importance of choosing board-certified plastic surgeons for any procedures, ensuring the
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  highest standards of care.
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  Let's talk about the importance of friendships and their impact on our health and longevity.
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  It might surprise you, but having strong, positive relationships is one of the best ways
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  to extend your life, according to research.
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  Human beings are a fundamentally social species, with a need to belong.
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  This was emphasized by Doctor Amit Kumar, an associate professor at the University of Texas
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  at Austin's McCombs School of Business.
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  The cost of loneliness can be severe.
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  The United States Surgeon General, Doctor Vivek H.
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  Murthy, highlighted in a 2023 advisory that the mortality impact of being socially disconnected
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  is similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it's even greater than the risks associated
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  with obesity and physical inactivity.
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  A lack of strong social ties is linked to higher stress levels, high blood pressure,
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  premature death, and poor coping skills.
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  So, how do we find friends as adults, especially when it seems so challenging?
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  Danielle Bayard Jackson, director of the Women’s Relational Health Institute, notes that
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  some people's mindsets hinder their ability to make connections, while others struggle due to
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  a lack of affordable places to meet.
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  However, the effort is worth it.
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  Jackson, along with other experts, suggests overcoming these barriers by taking steps like
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  practicing cognitive behavioral therapy to manage social anxiety and
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  rejection-sensitivity.
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  There are practical steps you can take to improve your social life.
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  For instance, engage in small social interactions, like chatting with a cashier
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  instead of using self-checkout.
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  If time is an issue, consider canceling some commitments to prioritize social engagements.
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  It's also okay to set time limits for hangouts, ensuring you're still socializing even if
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  briefly.
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  Doctor Lauren Cook, a clinical psychologist, suggests merging mundane activities with social
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  ones, like running errands or going to the gym with a friend.
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  Environmental factors can also pose a challenge to socializing.
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  Today's culture of convenience often keeps us isolated.
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  Grocery deliveries, mobile orders, and digital services reduce opportunities for those
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  serendipitous social moments.
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  Jackson suggests cutting back on these conveniences to encourage more in-person
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  interactions.
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  A simple change in routine, like visiting a local library or park, can open up
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  opportunities to meet new people.
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  To meet people, consider your interests and values.
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  Volunteer, join a club, or take a class in something you've always wanted to learn.
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  Even reaching out to an old friend can rekindle a connection.
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  Doctor Marisa G.
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  Franco, a psychologist, notes that we often underestimate how happy people will be to hear
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  from us.
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  Small talk, though it might seem trivial, is essential for building deeper relationships.
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  Staying curious and asking questions about others' interests can help keep the
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  conversation going.
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  Maintaining friendships requires effort and intention.
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  Unlike childhood friendships, which often formed naturally through daily interactions,
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  adult friendships need nurturing.
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  Set reminders to check in with friends, listen actively, and suggest meaningful activities.
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  By doing so, you'll not only enrich your social life but potentially extend it as well.
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  Our final story today highlights the resurgence of diseases that were once nearly eradicated,
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  thanks to vaccines.
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  The reality of this resurgence is deeply personal for some families who have lived
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  through the devastating effects of diseases like measles, rubella, and pertussis, also
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  known as whooping cough.
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  In the pre-vaccine era, infectious diseases claimed the lives of millions of children, with
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  nearly one in five children in the year 1900 not making it to their fifth birthday.
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  The introduction of vaccines over the next century drastically reduced the prevalence of
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  these illnesses, making once-dreaded diseases like polio and measles rare occurrences.
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  However, recent trends in vaccine hesitancy have led to a concerning comeback of these
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  preventable diseases.
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  Doctor William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center,
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  points out that the success of vaccines paradoxically contributes to the current
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  skepticism.
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  As people become less familiar with the diseases due to their rarity, they may
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  underestimate the importance of vaccination, focusing instead on the rare risks of side
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  effects.
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  For some families, the impact of these diseases is a painful reality.
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  Take Janith Farnham, whose daughter Jacque was born with congenital rubella syndrome.
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  This was back when a rubella vaccine was not yet available.
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  Jacque faces numerous health challenges, including hearing impairment and heart defects.
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  Despite these difficulties, Janith remains a dedicated advocate for vaccination, hoping to
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  prevent others from experiencing similar hardships.
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  Patricia Tobin's story is another somber reminder of the consequences of delayed
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  vaccination.
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  Her sister Karen contracted measles in 1970, at a time when the vaccine was available but not
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  yet required for school attendance.
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  Tragically, Karen developed encephalitis and passed away, leaving a lasting impact on
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  Patricia.
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  Today, she expresses concern over the increasing number of vaccine exemptions and the
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  potential for measles to spread once again.
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  Lora Duguay's experience with polio underscores the importance of widespread immunization.
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  As a child, she contracted polio and, despite initial recovery, later developed post-polio
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  syndrome.
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  Her story illustrates how the effectiveness of vaccines has improved over time, with current
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  polio vaccines providing robust protection that helps maintain herd immunity, preventing
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  outbreaks.
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  Finally, we hear from Katie Van Tornhout, who lost her daughter Callie Grace to whooping
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  cough at just 37 days old.
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  Callie was too young to receive the vaccine, and exposure to someone who hadn't received
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  their booster shot proved fatal.
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  Katie now advocates for childhood immunization, emphasizing the importance of protecting our
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  children from preventable diseases.
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  These stories serve as powerful reminders of the importance of vaccination.
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  Vaccines are a critical tool in protecting public health and preventing the suffering
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  caused by diseases that we have the power to control.
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  As we close today's episode, let's remember the lessons from these families and the importance
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  of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect future generations.
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  This concludes today's episode of Morning Medical with Doctor Chi-Ming Chow.
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  Thank you for joining us, and I hope you'll tune in tomorrow for more medical insights and
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  news.
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  Stay healthy and informed, everyone!