10 Common Cosmetic Surgery Myths
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), nearly 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2005. This number increased from the previous year by one percent to over two million, while nonsurgical procedures declined four percent to over nine million. Botox injections represented the most frequently performed procedure and liposuction represented the most popular surgical procedure. Additionally, breast augmentation and breast lift areas continue to increase.
If you're thinking about plastic surgery, you probably have many questions about the procedures mentioned above and more. Before you attempt to book surgery, whether here in the U.S. or abroad through medical tourism, you should conduct research about the procedure, the surgeon, and the facility where the procedure will take place, especially if it is overseas in a country such as India or Malaysia. To get you started, we've gathered ten of the most common myths and realities about plastic surgery. This information will help you to eliminate any fears you may harbor, they'll provide avenues to peruse in your research, and they might offer confidence in your path to making a life-changing decision.
Myth #1: Every physician who claims to be a plastic surgeon is a plastic surgeon.
This myth isn't true, as physicians with little or no training in plastic surgery can claim to be plastic surgeons. There are no state, national, or international laws that forbid physicians to make claims for plastic surgery. So, before you trust your life to someone who claims to be a plastic surgeon, you should engage in extensive research. You can begin by checking your surgeon's training, credentials, and certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Here's a good tip: If you encounter a physician under age 30 who claims to be a plastic surgeon, just walk away. The average plastic surgeon may be close to 40 of age before he or she becomes board certified in plastic surgery. Simply add four years of college, four years of medical school, seven years of surgical training, and the completion of written and oral exams to understand this reality. The oral exams alone require that the surgeon conduct a panel review of a certain number of treated patients, a task that may take two to five years after residency to complete. If that physician began college at age 18, the completion of his required courses and exams would add 18 years to the equation, and that physician would be age 38 when he becomes board certified.
Myth #2: All cosmetic and plastic surgeons are certified.
Unfortunately, any surgeon may state that he or she is a cosmetic or plastic surgeon, but some cosmetic or facial plastic surgeons don't undergo The American Board of Plastic Surgery's oral and written exams as mentioned in the paragraph above. Additionally, some surgeons may state they are certified, but they fail to specify by which board. If you're unsure about your surgeon's credentials, ask to see his or her Board Certification Certificate, as the certifying board will be listed on that certificate. You can then research that board on the Internet to see if it meets the same standards as The American Board of Plastic Surgery mentioned previously.
Myth #3: Cosmetic, reconstructive, and plastic surgery all means the same thing.
The terms "plastic surgery," "reconstructive surgery," and "cosmetic surgery" are not interchangeable, but confusion about the terms has led to public misconceptions about each specialty. The widely used term, "plastic surgery," comes from the Greek word, "plastikos," which means to form or to mold something. While all three specialties meet this description, there are differences among each specialty.
Cosmetic surgery, also known as "aesthetic plastic surgery" is an elective surgery, and it is known for a concentration on approving physical appearances. The cosmetic surgeon's training and practical experiences make this physician among the most qualified to perform cosmetic procedures such as Botox, laser surgery, and tumescent liposuction.
On the other hand, plastic surgeons may spend many nights in emergency rooms as they reconstruct faces and bodies after accidents and assaults. This is known as reconstructive surgery, a technique that is performed on abnormal structures of the body. These abnormalities may be caused by congenital defects, developmental problems, trauma, infection, or disease. Reconstructive surgery may be performed to improve function, but it is also performed to approximate a normal appearance after the surgery.
Myth #4: Cosmetic or plastic surgery is meant for the rich.
The adage, "You get what you pay for," comes to mind with this myth. Safe surgery carries inherent costs, so a surgeon who provides a state-of-the-art setting and who employs experienced anesthesiologists and the latest in anesthetic drugs will demand higher prices. Yet, 86 percent of plastic surgery patients are working women, according to a 2005 study by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In a 2004 study, 60 percent of respondents reported a household income between $30,000 and $90,000, and forty percent of that group reported incomes ranging from $30,000 to $60,000.
Many insurance policies cover reconstructive surgeries and procedures such as breast reduction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and upper eyelid blepharoplasty (upper eyelid lift) may be covered by insurance if certain criteria are met. With that said, cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by insurance; although, thanks to advances in surgical and anesthesia techniques, many procedures are less expensive than they were several years ago. Finally, while many surgeons now offer payment plans and accept credit cards, it's wiser if you save up for the surgery in advance. Interest rates on those loans and cards will add to the final cost of the procedure.
Most cosmetic and plastic surgeons offer initial consultations for a nominal fee, so you have a chance to meet the surgeon and to discuss the surgery. During this interview, you can evaluate the surgeon to see if you're comfortable him or her, with their surroundings, and with the procedure as that surgeon describes it. One good question to ask yourself is this: "Do I feel comfortable having this surgeon take care of a complication that occurs as a result of surgery?" Trust in this surgeon's abilities is paramount, as - with any surgery - complications may occur.
Before you leave the office, make sure you have the total cost including the surgical fee, the anesthesia fee, and the cost of the use of the operating room in hand. Find out more about follow-up visits to see if they're covered in the fee. Talk about time off work, as some procedures require special consideration while you recover. That time lost at work will add to your expenses.
Myth#5: Plastic surgery leaves no scars.
Any surgery leaves scars, as incisions heal by scarring. However, plastic surgeons are trained to minimize those scars by making incisions in strategic locations. Those locations will limit the scars' visibility. In endoscopic surgery, instruments such as a scalpel, scissors, or forceps still must be inserted through a point of entry and manipulated within the tissue. Scars will result, but they scars will be minimal.
Myth #6: Plastic surgery is only for the vain.
You may not feel your age until you look in a mirror. When reality about aging creeps in, this realization may erode self-esteem and confidence. Plastic or cosmetic surgery can help to boost confidence and vitality. In the case of cosmetic surgery, think of this procedure as an overhaul, much like you'd add that new roof to a house or a new coat of paint to a car.
Procedures that many individuals use to enhance or reduce breasts, to increase hair volume, to decrease nose size and so on aren't necessarily about vanity as much as they are about self-love. If you're concerned about what others think about you, then you won't worry about what they say when they see the results of your decision. You need to make those changes for yourself and for no one else.
Finally, reconstructive surgery may not be about vanity or about self-love as much as it is used to restore function to various body parts. Many reconstructive surgeries are performed to help make a person function normally in life as well. No matter whether these problems are congenital, developmental, or caused by trauma, reconstructive surgery can restore a person's will and ability to live.
Myth #7: Women are more concerned about cosmetic surgery than men.
According to a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), about eighty-three percent of men in that survey believe that personal appearance plays a role in their professional success and advancement. Accordingly, a 2006 report at this site shows a three percent increase in cosmetic surgery among men since 2002. The top five most popular procedures among men are Botox, hair transplantation or restoration, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and liposuction, in that order. This AACS survey shows that twelve percent of men who participated in that survey plan to have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future.
Myth #8: Mini facelifts are effective and cheap.
You'll find plenty of material on the Internet that promotes the mini facelift, but be aware that many of these claims are false. If that information claims that you'll achieve excellent results with minimum recovery, they're talking about the removal of a minimal amount of excess skin near the ear. This type of surgery has no affect on cheeks, jowls, or neck. A complete facelift is the only answer to anti-aging cosmetic procedures that will be effective and that will last for years. If you don’t want to undergo such an extensive procedure you can choose other options such as dermabrasion, chemical peel, dermal fillers and laser cosmetic surgery if any one of these procedures are suitable for your skin type.
Myth #9: Breast implants delay breast cancer diagnosis.
Silicon gel and saline-filled breast implants do interfere with mammograms, because they're radio-opaque. Women who have augmentations need special mammography views that are occasionally supplemented with additional studies such as ultrasound or MRI's. Many studies conducted since the mid-1990's, showed that augmented women with breast cancer did no worse than breast cancer patients without implants. This result suggests that diagnosis is not significantly delayed in either case.
However, some other implications may accompany breast implants. It is suggested that you read this report among others so that you can make an educated decision about breast augmentation. These studies aren't the be-all and end-all to answers about breast implants and cancer, as studies continue to be conducted.
Myth #10: Fat returns after liposuction.
This myth is true, but only if the patient doesn't add a healthy lifestyle to the recovery process. In fact, many surgeons may insist on acquiring this lifestyle before liposuction is considered. The reason behind this rationale includes the fact that you're born with a certain number of fat cells, and those cells become either larger or smaller depending upon your weight. If you gain weight, the fat cells respond genetically, and some fat cells become larger than others. Liposuction attempts to remove the number of fat cells in those areas that are genetically predetermined to contain more fat, and once those cells are removed, they're gone forever. If you regain weight after the surgery, that weight is theoretically distributed more evenly throughout the remaining fat cells.
Liposuction is not a cure-all for poor diets and lack of exercise, nor is it a procedure that will remove stretch marks. But, liposuction can contour the body and motivate people to lose weight after the procedure. For those women who also have problems with loose skin and/or stretch marks, a tummy tuck might prove a better choice.
Conclusion
It's easy to conduct research on cosmetic and plastic surgical procedures, to check a physician's certification, and to scope out surgical facilities in the U.S. before you commit to surgery. But, if you plan to head overseas for any cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure, you might learn that this is one surgery that isn't conducive to a party on the beach during recovery.
Dr. Stephen Goldstein, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Denver Face and Body, urges patients to avoid vacation-related activities following any cosmetic procedure. Patients are warned to avoid sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, water or jet skiing, parasailing, alcohol consumption, and even walking in some cases. Any one of these activities can increase the risk of complications and lead to infections, swelling, and hemotomas. In addition, air travel in combination with any surgery can increase the risk of pulmonary embolism and blood clots. Combining these increases a patient's risk of developing potentially fatal complications.
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