Cosmetic surgeries are a medical specialty involving the modification, restoration, or enhancement of the body. It can even be divided further into two major categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic surgery generally includes the treatment of elective injuries, craniofacial injuries, hand surgery, microsurgeries, and rehabilitation. In reconstructive surgery, the aim is to improve an organ or function by eliminating or replacing a tissue or part. It usually includes breast reconstruction, tissue reconstruction, craniopagus repair, head surgery, neck surgery, joint replacement, and pediatric surgery.
Cosmetic or plastic surgery has become one of the most common types of cosmetic surgeries performed today. Over one million cosmetic surgeries are performed in the United States each year. There are a variety of reasons for having cosmetic surgeries, but the most common reason is to correct a physical trait or to enhance a figure. Today, cosmetic surgeries can be very complex and even require expert assistance. While the goal of any cosmetic operation is to improve the patient’s appearance, aesthetic procedures carry special legal and ethical issues.
There are numerous potential complications associated with cosmetic surgeries. One of the most common complications arising after a cosmetic surgery procedure is excessive scarring. Scarring is not only unsightly, but it also alters the skin of the patient. Therefore, if you decide to have a cosmetic surgery procedure, you should be prepared for some intense recovery time.
In most cosmetic surgeries, the patient must have realistic expectations regarding the recovery process. If you decide to have a face-lift, you must expect a recovery of two to four months. While facial liposuction requires longer recovery time because the procedure requires removal of fat from under the chin and between the cheeks, this procedure does not require as much recovery time as other cosmetic surgeries.
Any surgical procedure carries some risks, but the risks of cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States are relatively few compared to those abroad. The most common risk of a cosmetic surgery is nerve damage. This is especially true of liposuction, as the fat that is removed from the cheek areas is attached to the underlying nerves in the face. Nerve damage can result in paralysis, a lack of feeling in the affected area, numbness and pain, and permanent nerve damage. If nerve damage occurs, your surgeon will likely recommend that you take anesthetics to reduce some of the discomfort.
Another common cosmetic surgery is a breast augmentation. Women who choose to have this surgery typically hope to increase their bust size by one cup size or more. Many women who have had this type of surgery have been able to wear small, comfortable clothing as well as gain back their confidence. Breast implants are made of silicone and, while they are sometimes placed under the breast itself for ease of placement, they are also often placed behind the breasts for aesthetic enhancement. In some cases, implant placement may be necessary because the tissue in the breast has been ruined by age or other causes.
One cosmetic surgery that many people have done is a tummy tuck procedure. This procedure removes excess fat from around the abdomen and tightens the remaining skin, which leaves the person with a flatter, sexier look. This surgery procedure is not ideal for everyone. If your overall health is not good, you should talk to your doctor about potential complications such as infections, clotting, allergic reactions to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, nerve damage, and more. Although these risks are rare, you should discuss them with your surgeon if you are thinking about this type of surgery procedure.
As you can see, cosmetic procedures come with some risks. These risks are almost always part of doing the surgery and should not prevent you from having the procedure. Your surgeon will discuss the risks with you before you have your surgery. In some cases, the procedures can be beneficial, but you should always be aware of all the risks involved and should never consent to have a surgery procedure just because it has minimal risks.