Plastic surgery is not just for celebrities and the wealthy. In the United States, it has gone mainstream. Cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, increased 147 percent from 1997 to 2009, reaching nearly 10 million, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. People want or need the operations for various reasons. Before having a procedure, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons—and know what to expect.
Types
Cosmetic procedures are available for nearly any area you're dissatisfied with. Some common surgeries include breast augmentation, breast reduction, liposuction, tummy tuck, facelift and rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, according to KidsHealth.org and Maryland's Kernan Hospital. Sometimes grouped with cosmetic surgery are procedures that are not truly surgeries in that they do not involve cutting. Among these are dermabrasion, which involves sanding the skin to make it smooth, and laser hair removal.
Benefits
Cosmetic surgery can boost your appearance and your confidence. "The body and the mind work together, and our hope is that helping the body will help the mind," writes Dr. Robert Yoho, a plastic surgeon in Pasadena, Calif. He has seen people's spirits buoyed by the changes to the point that they can make lifestyle changes they had feared, such as getting married, getting divorces, finding a dating partner or making a career change. The youngest patients, in their teens, often get cosmetic surgery to fit in with their peer group, according to KidsHealth.org, while adults typically go under the knife in hopes of standing out.
Considerations
Patients often turn to plastic surgery when they have experienced a major life trauma—for example, a spouse has left for a younger person. Such patients often suffer from depression, and when they do, cosmetic surgeons should notice and take appropriate action, Yoho writes. That might mean prescribing antidepressants, as Yoho sometimes does, or referring the patient to a mental health practitioner. The combination of depression treatment and cosmetic surgery can be powerful. But if the depression is severe, your health-care provider might advise you to wait until you are in a better frame of mind before taking a large step such as surgery.
Corrective Surgery
Sometimes plastic surgery is necessary to correct birth defects. A primary example is cleft lip and palate, in which part of the oral cavity is divided. The condition can lead to ear infections, speech problems and dental issues as well as cosmetic concerns, according to KidsHealth.org. Other birth defects often requiring surgery, according to ClevelandClinic.org, include birthmarks; ears that are misshapen, oversized or missing; webbed fingers or toes; and drooping eyelids.
Trauma
Cosmetic surgery can help patients recover from certain types of injury or trauma. For severe wounds, skin grafts, microsurgery and other plastic surgery techniques can minimize cosmetic issues and loss of function, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Women turn to plastic surgeons to rebuild their breasts after they are removed for cancer treatment, according to the America Society of Plastic Surgeons, and skin cancer survivors often need help to fill in areas where tissue was excised.
