Plastic surgery, Is It Worth the Risk?

Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. The word "plastic" is derived from the Greek plastikos meaning to mould or to shape; it is not connected with the synthetic polymer material known as plastic.

Aesthetic plastic surgery involves techniques intended for the "enhancement" of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining and restoring normal appearance, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal. Media and advertising play a large influence why a lot of people are willing to undergo plastic surgery; however researchers believe that some plastic surgery obsession can also be linked to psychological disorders like Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It is a disorder in which a person is obsessed in achieving physical perfection. People with this disorder are so preoccupied with their looks that it takes over their lives.

In 2006, nearly 11 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States alone. Nearly 12 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2007, with the five most common surgeries being liposuction, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty nasal surgery, and eyelid surgery. In Europe, the second largest market for cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery is a $2.2 billion business.
Here is a list of most prevalent aesthetic/cosmetic procedures done.

Laser skin resurfacing
Browplasty;
Blepharoplasty ("eyelid surgery") e.g. Asian blepharoplasty;
Otoplasty ("ear surgery"/"ear pinning"): Performed on both children and adults to decrease social anxiety and is done for purely cosmetic purposes and does not improve hearing.
Midface lift ("cheek lift");
Rhytidectomy ("face lift");
Fillers injections like collagen, fat;
Chemical peel: minimizing the appearance of acne, chicken pox, and other scars as well as wrinkles, solar lentigines (age spots, freckles), and photodamage in general.
Cheek augmentation;
Rhinoplasty ("nose job");
Lip enhancement;
Chin augmentation;
Mastopexy ("breast lift");
Mammoplasty/Breast augmentations ("breast implant" or "boob job");
Reduction mammoplasty ("breast reduction") done to reduce back and shoulder pain in women with gigantomastia and/or for psychological benefit men with gynecomastia;
Abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck");
Buttock augmentation;
Buttock lift ("Brazilian butt lift");
Suction-assisted lipectomy ("liposuction");
Labiaplasty;

Many people ask the wrong questions to their cosmetic surgeon. You need to make sure you ask this very important question upon consultation, “What is the chance of real damage, and if it happens, what might the extent of it be?” Ask to see their book of before and after pictures. You may also wish to see and speak with the surgeon’s other patients in person to see the effects in your naked eyes. Prepare a list of questions, it does not matter how many or how trivial or stupid you feel they are. Always remember, this procedure is most of the time irreversible and you’re the one that will live with the results so take all the necessary precautions as possible.

For further questions about breast implants/augmentation, rhinoplasty or plastic surgery in general, kindly log on to: http://www.drcalvert.com. If you’re in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, you can make your appointment online. You can also submit your questions online and we’d be glad to answer your questions truthfully within 24-48 hours! Stay beautiful and have a good day!