Posted June 17, 2015, Written by Corrie Shenigo
For all the factual information out there on cosmetic surgery, there’s an equal amount of gobbledygook, flimflam and hornswoggle. Today we’re going to look at a few popular misconceptions being bandied about in order to clear the air using a little something we like to call reality. Here we go!
Let’s start where it hurts the most: your wallet. Many people forgo even considering cosmetic surgery due to the belief that “it’s just too expensive.” The truth is that along with procedures (particularly non-invasive ones like injectables and laser hair removal) becoming less invasive, they’ve also become more affordable. This may be why the number of nonsurgical procedures performed in the U.S. has consistently risen since 1997 with more than 10 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed in 2014 alone. Many plastic surgeons also offer financing to help make cosmetic surgery more affordable.
There’s really no way around it. All surgery produces scars. By choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who’s been trained in the technique and art of aesthetics, those scars are likely to be minimized and hidden as much as your chosen procedure will allow. For example: scars from a tummy tuck procedure are typically hidden beneath the bikini line, facelift scars hide neatly along the hairline and within the contours of the ears, and breast augmentation scars are often hidden in the armpit, in the crease beneath the breast or through the areola making the scarring less visible.
There are numerous myths and rumors concerning breast augmentation and how safe the procedure really is. So let’s put those aside by sharing what we do know:
1) The US FDA has approved various saline and silicone implants for medical use after vigorous clinical trials and research, and
2) Data is still routinely collected to determine if there is a link between implants and cancer or any other illness. So while no procedure is without its risks, we can be sure that the implant itself is safe.
Perhaps the most powerful myths that stop people from considering cosmetic procedures are the ones that live inside our heads. “People will think I’m vain,” “I’ll look unnatural,” and “It’s emasculating for men to get cosmetic procedures” are a few biggies — all of them self-perpetuating stigmas and shames that are no longer relevant in this age of information and empowerment.
Vanity? Why not? It’s a well-known fact that how a person feels about their looks directly affects their self-esteem, overall health and general well-being. So in the spirit of self-care, why wouldn’t someone seek out a procedure that will help them feel better about their appearance?
Gone are the days when cosmetic surgery did indeed leave some patients looking “plastic.” Today’s goals, however, are focused on achieving a natural and “un-done” result that leaves the patient looking like themselves… only better. With the myriad of advances in technique, product and procedure, and your American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) board-certified plastic surgeon will ensure that yours and their expectations are aligned and realistic, leaving little room for miscommunication or a “plastic” looking result.
The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery cosmetic surgery 2014 statics showed a 43% increase in the number of men undergoing cosmetic procedures over a five year period –and that number is rising. So much so that notable plastic surgeons, like Southern California’s Dr. Grant Stevens, M.D., are now focusing a portion of their practice on catering to the specific needs of men From this we can surmise that the sexist stigmas that may have haunted cosmetic surgery in the past are now archaic and out of touch with the modern man.
Of course, none of our myth-busting means that cosmetic surgery is without its risks, but ensuring that your procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon will significantly reduce any risk of a botched procedure or surgery-gone-wrong.
