The popularity of cosmetic surgery is growing by the day and this trend is expected to continue as safer, more effective and less invasive procedures continue to be developed. Going for cosmetic surgery is a big decision and a lot of thought and consideration needs to go into the process. Not only are most procedures very expensive, but they also carry the risks associated with any other type of surgery, such as complications during or after the procedure.
For most procedures, the results are irreversible, and therefore, if anything goes wrong, you will have to live with that for the rest of your life. If something can be done about it, you can end up spending even more money trying to correct it. But life is all about taking risks, isn’t it? If you work with a good and reputable surgeon with an impressive track record, chances of success are high. Below are some of the most popular cosmetic procedures today.
1. Mammoplasty
This is any type of breast surgery. It could either be a breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast lift. Breast augmentation is sought by people who feel like their breasts are too small or have begun to droop after child birth, or due to old age. There are also some people who have one breast bigger than the other and they therefore opt to have the smaller breast enlarged. The procedure is performed using silicone gel or saline prosthetics. In some cases, fat grafting is done. This simply means taking fat from a different part of the body and using it to enlarge the breasts. To find a surgeon near you, you can search for ‘breast implants near me‘.
Women who seek breast reduction do so in order to get relief from physical discomfort caused by breasts that are too big. This can really strain the back and shoulders. Also read a guide on what to wear after getting a breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction has also been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women. A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure done to lift sagging breasts. It often involves making the breasts a bit smaller. One of the less common types of breast reduction is male breast reduction. Some men may be affected by a condition known as gynecomastia, which is enlargement of the male mammary tissue. This may be caused by things such as excessive use of steroids for bodybuilding and performance enhancement, and other substances that have this effect. The most common procedure used in male breast reduction is liposuction.
2. Liposuction
Liposuction is the vacuuming of fat from parts of the body with too much fat. This is done using thin cannulas. The most common parts of the body from which fat is vacuumed include the thighs, abdomen, hips, buttocks, neck and the back of the arms. As mentioned above, it is also used in male breast reduction. Contrary to popular belief, liposuction should not be used as a weight loss procedure. This is because it does not reduce the risk of problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, which are often linked to being overweight.
The goal of liposuction is to improve one’s body shape by getting rid of excess fat in various parts of the body. There is actually a limit to how much fat can be vacuumed from the body. If this limit is exceeded, the patient is exposed to many health risks such as hematoma, which is accumulation of blood under the skin, and damage to structures around the part of the body from which fat has been removed. Your surgeon will advise you on how much fat can safely be removed from your body.
3. Abdominoplasty
This procedure is more commonly referred to as tummy tuck. It helps to firm and reshape the abdomen by removing any excess fat and skin. This procedure is commonly sought by people who have lost a lot of weight and therefore have excess skin around the abdomen. Women also seek this procedure after giving birth in cases where they are unable to regain their pre-pregnancy body.
4. Buttock augmentation
As the name suggests, this procedure enlarges the buttocks. Sometimes, silicone gel implants may be used to make the buttocks larger. In other cases, fat may be transferred from other parts of the body to the buttocks. This procedure is often used in combination with abdominoplasty, where the excess fat removed from the belly is transferred to the buttocks.
5. Facial cosmetic procedures
- Microblading
Microblading is a fairly new cosmetic procedure that involves making hair-like incisions on the brow and then implanting pigment into the incisions to mimic the appearance of the eye brows. Despite it being new, it has gained popularity the world over due to its numerous benefits. Unlike most cosmetic procedures, it is minimally invasive and it is not permanent as the pigment wears out after 1-3 years depending on one’s lifestyle. Thus, if you are not impressed with the results, or if you get tired of the look of your brows, you have the chance to redo them or go back to your natural brows. This is why many people are more willing to try this procedure.
The pigment will not last very long for people who tend to swim and work out a lot. The biggest advantage of this procedure is the fact that you end up with well-shaped, natural looking brows without having to go through the hassle of doing your eyebrows every morning. You end up saving quite a lot of time getting ready for work. It is a painful and expensive procedure but the results are definitely worth it. While you have the option of numbing your brows before starting the procedure, experts say that the results are better when done without numbing the brows. However, you can numb them after the procedure to minimize the pain. Note that this procedure is not recommended for people with very oily skin.
Facelift
The most common type of facial cosmetic procedure is the facelift, which is medically referred to as rhytidectomy. This procedure is used to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines by tightening the skin on the face. It is often done together with blepharoplasty, which is the medical term for eyelid surgery. The procedure is used to reshape the eyelids, which may droop due to old age. This is the same procedure that is used to get rid of eye bags.
- Rhinoplasty
Another common facial cosmetic procedure is the rhinoplasty or nose job. Apart from improving the appearance of the nose, the procedure may also improve breathing in patients who have difficulty breathing due to the shape of their noses, which may have been altered by an accident. The recommended minimum age for this procedure is 15 as this is when the cartilage and bones of the nose are fully developed.
Other facial cosmetic procedures include brow lift, chin augmentation, cheek augmentation, botox, dermal fillers, laser treatment and otoplasty, or ear surgery.
6. Hair transplantation
This is also a fairly new cosmetic procedure and it has been well embraced by people suffering from alopecia, which is just a fancy term for hair loss. Hair transplantation involves transferring hair follicle grafts from parts of the head with denser hair to the affected parts. Several sessions are required for the desired results to be achieved.
A few things to consider before going for cosmetic surgery
As mentioned earlier, you need to work with a good surgeon with a proven track record to improve your chances of success, no matter how minor your procedure seems. Choose a surgeon who is qualified and licensed by the relevant licensing boards. You may have set your mind on a particular procedure but if your surgeon advises you otherwise, listen to him. Do not hesitate to seek a second and even third opinion just to be sure of what you are getting yourself into. Be wary of unscrupulous surgeons who may just be out to make money at the expense of their clients’ safety and wellbeing. Do your own research and do not let anyone talk you into doing something you are not comfortable with.
Be sure to follow all the things you are advised to do pre-surgery and post-surgery to ensure that everything goes well and to minimize chances of complications. For instance, you should not smoke or use any tobacco products a few months before going for surgery as tobacco may interfere with the healing process. Some procedures like microblading also require you to abstain from alcohol for a few days before and after the procedure. All these procedures are different and you should do thorough research before deciding to go for any.
Conclusion
Cosmetic procedures are known to improve confidence and self-esteem. They will make you feel more attractive, sexually and otherwise. However, experts warn that it may be addictive and you should therefore know when to stop. This is your body, the only one you have to tread this journey of life with, and you should therefore be careful what you do to it.
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