Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Plastic surgery is a specialization of medicine that uses surgical techniques to alter the appearance or function of a person's skin or body. Some operations are called "cosmetic", and others are called "reconstructive".

Cosmetic surgery is a very popular approach to personal enhancement in the quest for beauty, as evidenced by the 12 million cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. in 2004. As in any operation, cosmetic procedures involve risks and should not be undertaken lightly. U.S. critics of cosmetic surgery say that it is legal for any doctor, regardless of specialization, to perform "cosmetic surgery", but not "plastic surgery". It is therefore important to differentiate the terms "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic surgery": Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties as the subspecialty dedicated to the surgical repair of defects of form or function -- this includes cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery, as well as reconstructive surgery. The term "cosmetic surgery" simply refers to surgery that is designed to improve cosmetics, or appearance. In many countries including Australia, many doctors who are not qualified as surgeons perform cosmetic procedures.

The most prevailing aesthetic/cosmetic procedures are listed underneath. Most of these types of surgery are known by their "common names." These are also listed when applicable.

  • Abdominal etching (Ab Etching) A trademarked procedure by Dr. Henry Mentz that affords a "6-pack" abs sculpted stomach or reduction of love handles.

  • Abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck"): reshaping and firming of the abdomen

  • Umbilicoplasty ("belly button surgery"): reshaping the belly button

  • Blepharoplasty ("eyelid surgery"): Reshaping the eyelids including Asian blepharoplasty, or the application of permanent eyeliner.  You may want to use the best eye cream as an alternative.

  • Mammaplasty / breast augmentation ("breast enlargement" or "boob job"): Enlargement of the breasts using either saline or silicone gel prosthetics.

  • Buttock Augmentation ("butt augmentations" or "butt implants"): Enlargement of the buttocks using silicone implants or fat grafting and transfers from other areas.

  • Chemical peel: Minimizing the appearance of acne, pock, and other scars and wrinkles (depending on concentration and type of agent used, except for deep furrows), solar lentigines (age spots, freckles), and photodamage in general. Peels frequently involve carbolic acid (Phenol), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), glycolic acid (AHA), or salicylic acid (BHA) as the active agents.  They may also be called acid peels.

  • Mastopexy ("breast lift"): Raising and reshaping the breasts.

  • Labiaplasty: Surgical reduction and reshaping the labia

  • Rhinoplasty ("nose job"): Reshaping the nose

  • Otoplasty (ear surgery): Reshaping the ear

  • Rhytidectomy ("face lift"): Removal of wrinkles and signs of aging from the face.  The best wrinkle cream can help too.

  • Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (liposuction): Removal of fat from the body

  • Chin augmentation: Augmentation of the chin with implants or by sliding genioplasty of the jaw.

  • Cheek augmentation

  • Collagen, fat, and other tissue filler injections (i.e. hyaluronic acid)

  • Vaginoplasty, reconstructing or creating a vagina

Some people get addicted to cosmetic surgery, possibly due to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Profuse amounts of repeated cosmetic surgeries can result in irreversible damage to the body's structures. However, due to the high cost of recurrent cosmetic surgery, this ailment is generally limited to the wealthy. However, others have taken out loans for repeated procedures. Some insurance policies cover part or all of reconstructive procedures while cosmetic procedures are often not covered by insurance companies. The only way to know is to review the policy to acertain what is covered.

South Korea is known for the prevalence of plastic surgeries in its population. A conservative estimate is that 50% or more of South Korean women in their twenties have some form of plastic surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported in 2006 nearly 11 million cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States


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