Not so long ago, plastic surgery used to be the preserve of Hollywood celebrities and extremely rich people. In some cases, you needed to travel to faraway states or even out of the country to undergo some of the most basic aesthetic procedures. Fast forward to today and things have changed a lot. Techniques have improved dramatically and there’s probably a plastic surgeon available in your town. You can schedule the procedure at a time of your own choosing without having to spend a little fortune as used to be the case.
One question that people who are planning to have plastic surgery ask, however, is ‘what plastic surgery should I get’. In this post, we’ll try to shed more light on this and help you select the right plastic surgery treatment.
What types of plastic surgery procedures are there?
Plastic surgery procedures are aimed to improve either form or function. There are two general categories of plastic surgery.
- Reconstructive surgery – these are treatments that are designed to address defects on the face or body. These may include procedures to correct birth defects such as ear deformities, cleft lips, palates, as well as traumatic injuries resulting from burns and dog bites. Another good example of a reconstructive procedure is breast reconstruction, which is performed to help women who have been through a mastectomy as part of their breast cancer treatment feel whole again.
- Cosmetic surgery – the majority of plastic surgery procedures fall in this category. These are treatments that are specifically designed to alleviate aesthetic concerns. Examples of cosmetic surgeries include breast augmentation (which increases the size and volume of smaller breasts), rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), and liposuction (removal of stubborn pockets of fat).
What plastic surgery is the right choice for me?
Reconstructive surgeries help repair significant defects. These can help improve your quality-of-life following breast cancer treatment, birth defects, and serious injuries. Cosmetic procedures – on the other hand – can improve the appearance of physical attributes. An initial consultation with your plastic surgeon is the first step to figuring out what type of plastic surgery is the right choice for you.
The surgical process involved during both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures can be similar. These procedures may be performed at the surgeon’s in-office operating room or an accredited medical facility. Plastic surgeons typically administer anesthesia to keep you comfortable and safe during the surgery. Depending on the type of procedure, you may be allowed to go home on the same day as the surgery or asked to stay for a night or two.
Keep in mind that plastic surgeons may refuse to perform plastic surgery procedures in some circumstances. For instance, girls need to be at least 18 years old before they can undergo cosmetic breast surgery using saline implants. Women need to be at least 22 years old before they can receive silicone breast implants. It is important you know whether you are qualified before you start making arrangements.
Most common plastic surgery procedures
Based on your unique needs and requirements, below are some of the most common plastic surgery treatments.
- Rhinoplasty – also referred to as a ‘nose job’, this is a cosmetic surgery that reshapes the nose either for aesthetic or functional reasons. In 2020, rhinoplasty was the most common cosmetic treatment, with over more than 352,500 of these procedures performed in the US alone.
- Blepharoplasty – this is also referred to as eyelid surgery. It is a surgical treatment that improves the appearance of the eyelids, usually by removing fatty deposits and drooping skin. Blepharoplasty was the second most popular cosmetic surgery in 2020. More than 325,000 of these procedures were completed in the US alone.
- Facelift – a facelift, also referred to as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical treatment that aims to reveal a younger facial appearance by addressing sagging skin. This procedure is particularly common with individuals who are looking to alleviate facial signs of aging. There were more than 234,000 of these procedures in the US last year (2020).
- Liposuction – liposuction is a body contouring procedure that aims to remove stubborn pockets of fat. One of the best things about liposuction is that it is less invasive than other surgeries and can be used on almost every part of the body. There were over 211,000 lipo procedures completed in the US in 2020, making it the fourth most common plastic surgery.
- Breast augmentation – breast augmentation is also referred to as augmentation mammoplasty. It is a surgical procedure that enhances a woman’s breast size and volume (usually using artificial implants). More than 193,000 breast augmentations were completed within the US last year.
Conclusion
The right plastic surgery procedure for you will be determined by your problem areas. During your initial consultation visit with Dr. Rahul Vemula in Monmouth County, the surgeon will listen to your concern and recommend the way forward. The surgeon will also give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding preparing for plastic surgery, recovery, and expected results.