Yeah its true that cosmetic surgery is the worst way as it changes your face in artificial way and you lose the originality of your face. Secondly it effects a lot who uses drugs and in my opinion before using this people should go through drug rehab treatment to get rid of it.
Submitted by alexas on Sat, 09/12/2009 - 06:36.'Cosmetic surgery worst way to beauty'
By Kristine Servando, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 05/25/2009 9:26 PM
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In their quest for bodily perfection, many wealthy Filipinos have resorted to cosmetic surgery, often with disastrous results. As one of Manila's finest cosmetic doctors insists, there is a better and less costly way to achieving beauty.
Dr. Mary Jane Torres-Valdecañas, founder of the Zen Institute in Manila, said the secret to body beauty is not by cutting it up over and over, but by investing in body-shaping methods that last.
An advocate of "non-invasive and non-surgical" treatments, Valdecañas said she has had a front-row seat to the damage that repeated cosmetic surgeries can cause, from facelift assymetry, where one side of the face looks more stretched than the other, to unwanted dimpling and fat regrowth in body areas altered by liposurgery.
"Most of our patients have undergone a lot of surgeries and I became the dead-end doctor. Meaning, after all the surgical complications [they experienced] with other doctors, they come to me and they ask me to fix it. I was once called a 'repair shop' by my patients. I say, as long as I have all the knowledge on how to fix it, then it's not a problem," she said, sitting in her cozy office at her newest Zen Institute branch at The Podium mall.
Founded in November 2006, the Zen Institute was Valdecañas's brainchild, incorporating her philosophy of improving one's body both by external means (through beauty treatments) and changing it from within--by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
In conjunction with body-sculpting procedures, patients at the Zen Institute are asked to follow manageable diet plans and exercise regimens, under the guidance of in-house nutritionists and consultants.
"Zen means nature and bringing out natural beauty. This is not like, you come here to have a change of the face. When you walk out of the Zen Institute, there will only be enhancement. Bringing out the best and the natural," Valdecañas said.
Trademark treatments
After graduating with a degree in medicine from the University of Santo Tomas, she trained with a well-known dermatologist, then later started a skin clinic at a fitness center, where she developed programs combining fitness and aesthetics.
After a brief stint performing liposurgery, she signed up for trainings in Europe, in search for better options besides cosmetic surgery. She scoped out new procedures and cutting-edge machines, which she said could deliver results in just 3 to 4 sessions.
She also went to countries like Thailand, Turkey, and Greece; and even became an active member of the International Society of Mesotherapy, the French Society of Mesotherapy, and the Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery.
She came back to Philippines, eager to set up a clinic where she could put her knowledge to work. "When I came back, it's when nabuo ko na yung concept ng non-invasive, non-surgical treatments for facial contouring, body sculpting, skin contouring, and of course, anti-ageing," Valdecañas said.
Within four years, the Zen Institute expanded to three branches, from Global City in Fort Bonifacio, Tomas Morato in Quezon City, and more recently, The Podium in Mandaluyong.
The Zen Institute's signature treatment is the Italian-developed "Resonax technology" which targets cellulite in specific parts of the body using quantum molecular resonance frequency to dissolve fat and stimulate cell re-growth and regeneration. Resolift, meanwhile, uses the same technology on the face to "tighten the skin and lift sagging facial muscles for a younger over-all appearance."
Although the spa offers Botox treatments (albeit sparingly), they also offer an alternative procedure called "platelet-rich-plasma" where a patient's own platelets are processed and injected into skin to stimulate cell regrowth.
Valdecañas said these treatments are for "knife-shy" patients, who want to look good but are afraid of surgery. The spa also offers facial massages with "meso-rejuvenation," body scrubs, and hair removal treatments.
The zen of beauty
The medical spa is posh but cozy, with small rooms discreetly tucked behind a well-lit wall bearing the Zen Institute's steel insignia. Japanese flute music flows softly from unseen speakers through the spa's ceilings, tastefully pinned with soft sea-green fabrics. Even the doctor's desk has a plate of stones with water cascading from a thin spout, in keeping with the "zen" concept.
The attendants are all well-groomed and soft-spoken, as if guided by the general hush of the spa. The staff are all personally trained by Valdecañas, to ensure that they conform to the institute's safety and ethics standards.
But many customers wonder, what is a medical spa anyway? Valdecañas explained that this just means each spa treatment, from advanced procedures down to their facials and massages, were developed from scientific studies and are implemented by a team of in-house doctors and therapists.
"This is the only clinic with medical expertise combined with pampering treatments. We tie-up with trainors and provide our patients with nutritional counseling so it's more holistic. Yes, we have the top-of-the-line technology, but this is useless without the basic foundation of nutrition and physical activity. All treatments are in protocol. So we don't sell the machine, we sell the protocol that fits with the lifestyle of the patient," she said.
Walk-in clients are given free consultations with Zen Institute staff, who will advise them on which programs are best suited for them. After signing up, a client's lifestyle and health status will be assessed which will be the basis for diet plans and simple exercise regimens - like walking through a mall or climbing a flight of stairs. Soon, Zen Institute spas will even feature treadmills so clients can exercise there.
Hourly treatment sessions are scheduled and booked in advance to ensure less traffic at the spa and to give clients their privacy. Walk-in clients, however, can also be accommodated if there are available staff.
Star appeal
This mix of personalized treatment and high-class service has drawn a steady stream of upscale clients, who have in turn recommended the clinic to their friends. Celebrity clients and endorsers include Ayen Laurel, Franco Laurel, Cory Quirino, Eula Valdez, Korina Sanchez, and Gina Alajar.
The staff refused to say how much each treatment costs, but Zen Institute consultant Nina Reyes clued in that it could be hefty for ordinary spa-goers. She assured, however, that the price is surely worth it.
"Most of our clients are Class A, that's our market. But curious customers can try our facials which will really moisturize your face. Kakaiba talaga. And if clients avail of more treatments, relatively cheap pa rin yung price kasi long-term naman siya," she said.
"It's also safer than other treatments. Giselle Sanchez, who was pregnant, came to us for treatments. At kahit matanda na, [pwede pa rin dito.] I have a client, she's 71 years old, she's very safe talaga. Because we're non-invasive rin, at the same time, nakukuha mo yung result na gusto mo without any surgery," she added.
The Zen Institute management is no stranger to the economic pinch, however, lately trying to adjust their pricing by bringing in more clients and investing heavily on promotions.
In an economic crisis when even rich people shy from spending their money, Valdecañas is confident that there will always be a demand for good old pampering. "I think it's even more important to people undergoing some stress [under the economic crisis] because that would put a balance in their lives. The more they would clamor for relaxing treatments," she said.
For inquiries or appointments, call or visit Zen Institute branches in Quezon City [(02) 441-0692 or (02) 441-1712], The Podium [(02) 635-4708 or (02) 634-2480] and Fort Bonifacio Global City [(02) 856-2027 to 28]. For more information, visit www.thezeninstitute.com.
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