Discussions about plastic surgery most often come down to the same question. It may sound abstract or more concrete, but it always comes down to a common denominator - can I be sure that the result will suit me? And until recently the answer was: “Hardly.”
However, technology does not stand still - and this applies not only to the gadgets in our pockets, but also to aesthetic surgery. Today, if you wish, you can “peep” the results of the operation: to make sure it is necessary, adjust the specifics of the intervention (of course, together with the doctor), or decide that you can do without it. Let's figure out what options surgeons and programmers offer.
Smartphone applications
In the App Store and Google Play you will find many applications that allow you to try out plastic surgery techniques on any photo you choose. In order for the result to be at least somewhat correlated with reality, you should treat the use of applications not as a game, but as a scientific experiment. In other words, don't pretend to be Angelina Jolie if you just want to make your lips look a little bigger.
Here are a few options worth checking out: Juvederm Mobile (created by one of the largest filler companies, Allergan), Crisalix, Boost Your Beauty, iSurgeon PRO, and Plastic Surgery Simulator.
Contact fitting
3D printers are taking over the world, and doing so much faster than you might think. It's likely that you've read about 3D drawing pens, but haven't heard about 3D bioplotters—innovative printers that can produce three-dimensional structures that mimic bone tissue. Simply put, with the use of such devices, you can not only see new breasts on a computer monitor, but try them on, just like you do with a dress you like in a store.
Moreover, we are not talking about sizers, which will allow you to determine how difficult it will be for you to “wear” this or that size, but about a full-fledged and most comfortable model - with all your freckles, moles and other features. Of course, not all plastic surgery centers offer such services, but those who are looking will always find them: for example, in the Moscow EMC Aesthetic Clinic.
But if the first option seems not serious enough to you, and the second does not seem widespread enough, then the question remains open. And we invited plastic surgeon Igor Bely to answer it.
Igor Bely, plastic surgeon, Doctor of Medical Sciences, leading surgeon at the Ottimo aesthetic medicine clinic.
By and large, when planning plastic surgery, doctors use two methods: standard computer modeling and a novelty in the field of surgery and aesthetics - 3D modeling using augmented reality glasses.
Russian reality shows about plastic surgery
Many women dream of transforming from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. Some are dissatisfied with their image, others do not like the features of their own appearance. It became possible to fulfill the dream of a wonderful transformation with the advent of plastic surgery. Surgeries make real the desire to improve your face and body, bringing them closer to your ideal. The topic of aesthetic surgery has not subsided over the past 10 years, but is only gaining momentum. News about plastic surgery, whether for a positive or negative reason, causes a large-scale unprecedented response from society; people are interested in plastic surgery even if they themselves do not plan to go on the operating table.
The unprecedented excitement has attracted the attention of the television industry, whose participants agree on the most controversial decisions. Seeing the huge audience response to this topic, many TV channels (first foreign, then Russian) began creating programs about plastic surgery. The first reality shows about the transformation of women and men through aesthetic operations blew up the media space. How did these programs appear on Russian television and which surgeon improved the appearance of the voluntary participants?
"Formula of Beauty" on ORT
In 2006, viewers of the channel on the “first button” of domestic television saw the Russian version of such programs. From February 18 to June 3, the “Formula of Beauty” program was aired with Ekaterina Semyonova. 12 women and 3 men aged from 24 to 60 years, including quite famous people, agreed to undergo plastic surgery in front of television cameras. The whole country watched how surgeons worked and sympathized with the stories of patients. The transfer was extremely successful.
The famous Russian plastic surgeon Evgeny Laputin was considered the author of the high-profile project. However, he performed only one operation, and then died tragically (the doctor was killed by unknown people).
Evgeny Laputin performed a facelift on writer Irina Khrustaleva. Two other operations on this patient (breast lift and body lifting) were already performed by Dr. Blokhin. Also involved in the project was the then little-known surgeon Arthur Rybakin.
“Terribly beautiful” on MUZ
The program “Terribly Beautiful” was aired on the MUZ TV channel in 2007. Professional stylists and experienced surgeons corrected the appearance of the participants, making them more attractive. Both women and men sought aesthetic surgery. The ages of those wishing to improve themselves varied - from 20-year-old students to 60-year-old interior designers. The work of surgeons and other transformation specialists was not free for participants, but the authors of the program indicated the cost as “priceless.” In ruble equivalent, this was expressed by payment for preoperative medical tests confirming the presence or absence of contraindications to surgical intervention.
To become the hero of a reality show, men and women were asked to fill out a questionnaire in which to write a few words about themselves, a short biography, describe the problem area and send three photographs. In addition, the opportunity for relatives and friends of the potential participant to participate in the filming was also important for the authors of “Terribly Beautiful.”
Reality show participants paid only the cost of preoperative tests
During the episode, the participant introduced himself and talked about his reasons for improving his appearance. The audience was also shown consultations, the progress of operations, examinations and dressings - naturally, especially piquant parts of the body were carefully blurred by the editing directors. Their relatives - parents, spouses, children or just friends - always expressed their opinion about the transformation of the hero or heroine.
Most often, TV characters underwent rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, facelift and liposuction.
In total, 7 seasons of the TV show were released, and the then popular illusionist brothers Safronov even managed to appear as hosts of the project. During the first seasons, the chief operating surgeon was the famous Moscow doctor Leonid Pavlyuchenko. The heroes of the last two seasons had their appearance improved by the original staff of the St. Petersburg clinic "SPIK" - Arthur Rybakin, Vyacheslav Arbatov, Valery Staisupov, Larisa Mouraova, Lyubov Safonova, Andrey Andreishchev, Arvid Abolin, Kirill Shcherbakov, Ruslan Malsagov. Doctor Maxim Osin also demonstrated his transformation skills.
Let us note that it was in this reality show that the notorious Elchin Mamedov, a plastic surgeon who is now wanted by the Russian authorities, received his share of fame. He was charged in absentia under two articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - 238 (performing work or providing services that do not meet safety requirements, which through negligence resulted in the infliction of serious harm to health or death of a person) and 327 (forgery and use of false documents). It turned out that he was working on a fake diploma.
A couple of years later, on the music and entertainment channel, now MUZ-TV (it appeared after a change in broadcasting), an analogue of the program appeared, but it was called a little differently - “Anatomy of Beauty”. According to the authors, it was “the most frank project on television about how to become better and make life brighter.” Here the miracles of transformation were shown by surgeons Vyacheslav Balkizov, Said Yusupov and others.
“10 years younger” on REN-TV and First
On April 5, 2014 at 10:30 am, the premiere episode of the reality show “10 Years Younger” was released on the REN-TV channel. Like all previous programs, it was dedicated to plastic surgery and other modern ways to rejuvenate and improve your appearance. The team of specialists responsible for the transformation of the participants included 4 professionals:
- Professor Blokhin Sergey Nikolaevich - one of the most famous plastic surgeons in Russia, head of the Frau Clinic
- Candidate of Medical Sciences Oleg Emilievich Shinberg - famous Russian dentist
- Katerina Gershuni is an image maker and designer, a regular participant in fashion shoots for glossy magazines
- Evgeny Zhuk is a popular beauty stylist who creates and transforms the image of show business stars. Evgeniy’s work is to create an individual image of each heroine.
The first two seasons of the TV show were broadcast on REN-TV for a year, but later, for reasons unknown to the public, it “moved” to Channel One. The composition of the team also changed - Oleg Shinberg’s place was taken by orthopedic dentist Oleg Viktorovich Konnikov. On the Ernst TV channel, the first episode of the highly rated show took place on March 29, 2015.
The program looks more holistic than the original versions of Russian reality shows
To become a participant in the TV show, you had to go through a casting, and before that you had to fill out a form on the website. The questions include “Who will support you during the show?”, “How do you feel about criticism?”, “How will your family react if you radically change your appearance?” Obviously, the creators of reality need the “live emotions” of loved ones in order to maximize the ratings of the TV show.
The vast majority of participants in “10 Years Younger” are women. Usually the TV channel tries to choose the most interesting stories, for example, an operation and other methods were performed to improve the appearance of a woman after a mastectomy.
The programs are no longer just a way to get plastic surgery. Participants are offered a complete transformation in order to ultimately get a complete picture of the transformation. The program looks more holistic than the original versions of Russian reality shows.
“10 Years Younger” was a resounding success, and a new season was announced in 2022, in which another doctor took part - cosmetologist Nadezhda Leonidovna Vischipanova. Currently, the last episode of the program was released on December 22, 2022. Whether there will be another continuation of the project remains to be seen.
"Reboot" on TNT
In May 2022, the TNT channel decided to grab its share of the audience, which began broadcasting the reality show “Reboot.” To differ from similar programs, the creators of the new TV show stated that “the participants in the project are ordinary girls who find themselves in a difficult situation. They honestly admitted that they had made a mistake and came to the experts for help.”
The main goal of the project is not only external, but also internal transformation. A more expanded team of specialists works with women, weeks in the above programs. During the month, psychologists, trainers, plastic surgeons, stylists, cosmetologists and makeup artists work with the participants. The host of the TV show was Ksenia Borodina.
The main characters, in addition to the patient herself, are, of course, specialists in aesthetic medicine. Here they are presented by leading employees of the Frau Klinik:
- plastic surgeon Gleb Tumakov
- plastic surgeon Andrey Kopasov
- cosmetologist Olesya Chapknova
- dentist Vyacheslav Minko
In addition to doctors, the famous makeup artist Serdar Kambarov, stylist Lina Dembikova, and psychologist Olga Kuznetsova also contribute to the transformation of the participant. Well, fashion tips from Ksenia Borodina complete the amazing process.
“Beauty in Russian” on NTV
On June 3, 2022, the first episode of the reality show, so unlike other projects in the industry, was broadcast on domestic television. The creators of this project decided to pursue a more humane goal - to help people correct the mistakes of illegal or unscrupulous specialists. The participants were people who suffered from unqualified masters of beauty studios and cosmetology centers.
The project will not only help restore the beauty and health of the already affected participants, but will also try to prevent “ignorant interventions in the appearance of those who are just thinking about changes.”
The host of the project, actress Victoria Tarasova, highly appreciated the goal of the project: “People come to the program with dramatic, desperate stories, trust us, literally expose themselves in front of the whole country! We are constantly on the verge: how to do it without causing harm? We are looking for a unique approach to everyone, because we have no right to let them down, we have no right to make a mistake.”
Qualified and famous plastic surgeons Dmitry Melnikov, Zaur Bytdaev and Alexander Dudnik, as well as dermatocosmetologist Eduard Demchenko took part in the filming.
Interest in plastic surgery and aesthetic operations has only increased recently, so it’s fair to expect a lot more reality shows about how to regain your beauty and youth.
Computer modelling
The essence: you come for a consultation with a doctor, he takes several photos of you from different angles and uploads them to his computer. After a detailed analysis of your appearance, taking into account your wishes, the doctor models the new contours of your face or body in real time (right in front of you) in a special program similar to Photoshop.
Nuances: computer modeling cannot guarantee the final result with 100% accuracy. Essentially, you see the same photos of yourself, only with a changed appearance - the program does not take into account the characteristics of your physique.
3D modeling
The bottom line: you come for a consultation, using e-Stetix technology from the Swiss company Crisalix, the doctor scans the part of the body that needs changes, after a personal conversation, selects the optimal parameters for you and sends the picture to Switzerland. There it is processed and the finished model is sent to the clinic. Everything takes no more than half an hour, after which you put on special 3D glasses and examine yourself from all sides.
Nuances: the image is absolutely realistic, since the program takes into account your physique, skin turgor and other features of your face or body. In addition to the fact that you will be able to see the final result of the procedure and understand whether you need it or not, the doctor will also understand for himself what subtleties should be taken into account during the intervention.
Video program “Victims of plastic surgery”, with plastic surgeon Gulyaev A.A.
The girl has undergone 20 plastic surgeries! For 15 years now she has been experiencing hellish pain - she was disfigured by plastic surgeons.
Olga Korsak was 17 years old when she was hit by a car. The blow hit the girl in the chest. Olga needed plastic surgery. One breast was three sizes larger than the other. The girl could not have imagined then what a nightmare turning to plastic surgeons would turn out to be for her.
After the first operation, due to a doctor’s mistake, Olga says, her stitches came apart. The girl's chest became like stone and was very painful. The culprit, as it turned out, was cheap implants. Two dozen operations by the same doctors were unsuccessful. Olga demanded that the funds spent on operations be returned to her. The doctors apologized that they could not do anything and gave the girl 4.5 thousand dollars.
Olga is now raising her daughter alone and dreams of improving her personal life. She turned to qualified doctors and was satisfied with the result.
Russian pop prima donna Alla Pugacheva once experienced health problems due to plastic surgery. Her ex-husband Alexander Stefanovich admitted in the “We Speak and Show” studio that Alla Borisovna was dying on the surgeon’s table. Due to heart problems, she had a hard time undergoing liposuction. The Diva's operation was performed in Switzerland. The singer arrived in Moscow with a high fever and was immediately hospitalized with suspected blood poisoning. The capital's doctors saved the pop star.
Just recently, the whole country was again worried about the singer. Alla Pugacheva underwent heart surgery, which was successful. It is suspected that Alla Pugacheva also underwent plastic surgery after this, in particular, a circular facelift. But plastic surgeons dispelled all the rumors: Alla Pugacheva is now simply dangerous to undergo any operations due to her health condition, and she did not undergo a circular lift.
Actress Zhanna Epple has only had minor plastic surgery in her life. Zhanna liked the effect of them. To avoid repeated surgery, the actress regularly visits a beauty salon where she undergoes cosmetic procedures.
Repeated ballroom dancing champion Elena Uspenskaya was forced into a wheelchair by an operation to change the shape of her nose. This plastic surgery was forced - the girl had a severely deviated nasal septum, and it was difficult for her to breathe. After the operation, Elena suddenly became ill; she could neither move nor speak. The girl blames the doctors for her post-operative illness. They, in turn, threw up their hands and prophesied a childless future for Elena.
After this operation, Elena Uspenskaya learned to walk and hold a spoon again and soon not only fully recovered, but also gave birth to a child. Her son Dima is now 2.5 years old.
