Plastic Surgery: Addressing Your Cosmetic Concerns

Plastic surgery is a medical procedure that alters or restores a person’s body.

It is a medical subspecialty that focuses on repairing, reconstructing, or altering the human body.

It has been around for centuries, with some of the earliest known procedures performed by the ancient Egyptians in 1500 BC.

Over the past several decades, plastic surgery has become increasingly popular, with men and women turning to it to improve their appearance.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), plastic surgeons performed 17.7 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the United States in 2020. A 2% decrease from 2019 and a 5% decrease from 2018.

Because of rising demand and changing technology, plastic surgery procedures will likely increase further in 2023.

Types of Plastic Surgery

There are two main categories of plastic surgery.

1. Cosmetic (aesthetic) Surgery

Surgeons perform cosmetic or aesthetic surgery to improve a person’s appearance.

People unhappy with their appearance often use this surgery to enhance their appearance.

The most common cosmetic procedures include:-

• Facelifts
• Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
• Liposuction
• Breast augmentation
• Botox injections
• Eyelid Surgery
• Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
• Brow Lift
• Lip Augmentation
• Fat Transfer

2. Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery aims to repair or restore a part of the body damaged due to congenital disabilities, injury, or disease.

The most common reconstructive surgical procedures include:

• Cleft lip and palate repair
• Scar revision
• Skin grafts
• Breast reconstruction
• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Facial reconstruction
• Hand reconstruction
• Rhinoplasty (nose job)
• Otoplasty (ear pinning)
• Skin grafting
• Liposuction

Surgeons can use reconstructive surgery to treat conditions such as breast cancer and severe burns.

Other types of plastic surgery include:-

• Hand surgery: is used to restore function and movement to the hands and can include tendon repair and nerve reconstruction.
• Gender reassignment surgery: is used to change a person’s physical appearance to match their gender identity.
• Cosmetic dentistry: can involve whitening, veneers, and more.

Plastic surgery is a safe and effective way to improve a person’s appearance and restore function to a damaged body part.

It is essential to discuss your goals and expectations with a qualified plastic surgeon before undergoing any procedure.

How Does Plastic Surgery Work?

The surgeon will put you into a deep sleep with general anesthesia to prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure.

He will then use cutting, sculpting, contouring, and repositioning techniques to make incisions, reshape, and reconstruct the area.

Depending on the nature of your surgery, the surgeon may employ additional techniques such as laser resurfacing or fat grafting to ensure its success.

Following the procedure, the surgeon will suture or staple the incisions and apply dressings or bandages to the treated area.

How Much Does Plastic Surgery Cost?

The cost of plastic surgery varies substantially depending on several factors, including:-

• Type of procedure: Different procedures require different skill levels and experience, resulting in additional costs.
• Location of the procedure: The cost of plastic surgery varies by the geographical region in which it takes place.
• Surgeon’s experience and reputation: Surgeons with more experience usually have higher prices than those with less.
• Anesthesia: Anesthesia fees can significantly affect the total cost of the procedure.
• Type of implant: Different types of implants may also affect the cost of a procedure.
• Hospital fees: The cost of the procedure may include hospital fees for the use of operating rooms and recovery rooms.
• Post-operative care: The cost of the surgery may include additional fees for post-surgery care, such as medications and check-up visits.
• Insurance: Some insurance companies may pay a portion of the cost of the procedure.

More extensive surgeries, such as full body lifts or facial reconstruction, are more expensive than minor procedures, such as Botox injections or liposuction.

Cosmetic surgery costs between $3,000 to $20,000.

However, this is only an estimate, and the actual cost will vary greatly depending on the specifics of the treatment.

In addition, many plastic surgeons offer payment plans or financing options to help spread out the cost of the procedure.

For reconstructive plastic surgery, the cost can range from $6,000 to $50,000, depending on the procedure.

Insurance companies may cover some of the cost of reconstructive surgery if it is deemed medically necessary.

Plastic surgery may incur additional costs in addition to the procedure’s cost. These can include pre-operative testing, anesthesia fees, and post-operative care.

When estimating the cost of plastic surgery, remember to include extra charges.

Risks and Side Effects of Plastic Surgery

Just like any other surgery, plastic surgery comes with its risks. Before any plastic surgery procedure, knowing the risks and benefits is good.

Below is a list of some of the risks that come with cosmetic surgery.

• Nerve Damage
• Infection
• Hematoma
• Death
• Blood loss
• Tissue necrosis
• Asymmetry
• Formation of lousy scar tissue
• Pain and allergic reactions

People who smoke and those that are obese are prone to complications.

Surgeons suggest that if you are a smoker, you should stop three weeks before surgery to avoid complications.

You must study well about the procedure you want to go for and discuss your concerns with your surgeon before going for it.

This will reduce the risks and complications of plastic surgery that may contribute to side effects.