Plastic Surgery – Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Developments

With the development of plastic surgery one can absolutely change his/her face and body, choosing more attractive shapes and sizes. Thanks to up-to-date plastic surgery methods it is possible not only to recapture the beauty of youth, but even to change the gender. Thus, in a funny story, when a woman was asked who her newly-born baby was – a girl or a boy – she simply replied: “It will choose by itself when it grows up.”

However, one shouldn’t think that plastic surgery is a modern invention. In fact, people used to have their skin grafted and their noses changed many centuries ago. First plastic surgery served to treat trauma after-effects and to correct birth defects, like cleft palate. Later, with the appearance of the anesthesia techniques, people started using plastic surgery to improve their looks. Today, plastic surgery can be divided into two main types: reconstructive and cosmetic. While reconstructive plastic surgery deals with correction, cosmetic plastic surgery is chosen for aesthetic purposes.

Cosmetic plastic surgery has become a real discovery for both aged cinema stars and foreign spies eager to change their appearance. Such cosmetic plastic surgery procedures as liposuction, abdominoplasty, blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery), facelift, hair transplantation, rhinoplasty (cosmetic nose plastic surgery), and breast and buttock augmentation are the most popular ones in the modern society. Actually, the development of plastic surgery industry is responsible for the new standards in everyday life and media. Thus, beauty – though artificial – is commonly associated with success and happiness, which makes people all over the world spend thousands of dollars on cosmetic plastic surgery clinics and expensive surgeons. Only in 2006 in the USA the number of operations reached 11.5 million and it is still growing.

Cosmetic plastic surgery costs aren’t low but, they are becoming more affordable, so today even people with average income can use some of cosmetic plastic surgery methods. In addition, there are many clinics, and everyone can choose a surgeon to his/her taste.

Now, let’s have a closer look at the most widespread cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Liposuction or suction-assisted lipectomy is much on demand nowadays. Using the special vacuum device and tube (cannula) the surgeon removes fat deposits, improving the body contour. The maximum amount of fat to be removed equals to 5 kg, as the abuse of liposuction can result in serious health problems. Basically liposuction involves such areas as hips, buttocks, thighs, abdomen and upper arms, but some people apply it to their ankles, cheeks, chins and neck as well. As any other plastic surgery procedure, liposuction implies different risks, like infection, pigmentation changes, excessive bruising, skin rippling and post-anesthesia complications. Moreover, if a patient neither keeps to a diet nor leads a regular life, the operation will be quite ineffective. So, those who opt for suction-assisted lipectomy should realize that it isn’t an alternative to sport exercises and dieting.

Another popular cosmetic plastic surgery procedure is hair transplantation. It is more spread among men, and the overall course takes from 1 to 3 months. Hair transplantation involves such methods as scalp reduction, strip grafting and tissue expansion, and has a permanent effect. Nevertheless, this type of surgery may also lead to loss of scalp tissue, infection or scars, if the surgeon isn’t professional enough.

Breast augmentation should be also mentioned among the top cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Today it is almost impossible to find a Hollywood star (I’m talking about women, of course) who hasn’t tried to change the shape of her breasts at least once. So, there is no wonder why so many women aspire to imitate their idols, choosing breast augmentation. Despite the fact that the procedure implies various risks and the post-operation period is really hard, let alone such possible after-effects as infection or capsular contracture, women are ready to risk their health for the sake of beauty. While some females dream of huge breasts and choose between silicone and saline implants, others resort to breast reduction. According to the stats, breast augmentation and breast reduction are in the ration of 10/1 in the USA. It may seem strange, but some men also have to pursue breast reduction – or gynecomastia. This cosmetic plastic surgery procedure is applied to men with excessive “female-like” breast tissue and usually doesn’t take more that 1 hour. Possible risks include skin rippling, pigmentation changes, painful sensations, fluid accumulation and asymmetry.

Apart from surgical procedures, there exist other popular cosmetic techniques, such as Botox injections. As one of the most poisonous substances, Botulinum toxin or Botox provokes spasms in muscles and, as a result, smoothes the winkles. The effect isn’t long-lasting, and after 2-6 months the patient has to undergo the procedure again. Possible side-effects include drooping eyelid and bruising. In some cases after Botox injections the patient has uneven expression of face or even can’t close the eyes.

Actually, choosing the right plastic surgeon and clinic isn’t easy. In spite of the professional advertising campaigns, some of them leave much to be desired. The main criterion is whether the cosmetic plastic surgery specialist is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. One should also pay attention to the surgeon’s experience and references.

Modern psychologists disagree about the advantages of cosmetic plastic surgery. Some of them think cosmetic procedures have a favorable influence on human mind, while others are inclined to believe that most patients are just unhappy people who need psychiatric assistance.

All in all, cosmetic plastic surgery has become an integral part of modern life and mass culture. It is much discussed in popular books and movies, reflecting various opinions of the society. For example, to believe the famous “Men in Black”, cosmetic plastic surgery came to the Earth as an alien technology. Some people, like Pamela Anderson or Michael Jackson, are real veterans of cosmetic plastic surgery, spending millions of dollars on self-improvement, while others treat the issue rather skeptically. One thing is for sure – cosmetic plastic surgery is developing day after day, and very soon its methods will grow as perfect as possible.

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