Busting 5 Common Plastic Surgery Myths

Plastic surgery has an air of mystery about it, which causes many myths and misconceptions to be created. The spread of misinformation is harmful and can be detrimental to those who want to improve their appearance or quality of life. Any doubts or concerns you may have can be cleared up by setting an appointment with your plastic surgeon.

In the meantime, let us unveil the mystery behind the glamour and science of plastic surgery. Here’s the truth about five common myths that surround plastic surgery that have been debunked by trained professionals in the field.

Myth #1: Liposuction Is an Easy Way to Lose Weight

Many clients struggling with excess weight often see liposuction as a means to jumpstart their weight loss journey. The opposite is true: your plastic surgeon will ask you to lose as much weight as you can through a lifestyle of healthy diet and exercise before performing liposuction. There are many reasons liposuction should not be the only means of weight loss:

• Better results are achieved at a healthy weight?
• Lessen the chance of complications?
• You’re more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes before liposuction?
• You’ll be happy with the results over time when you maintain a healthy weight?

Myth #2: Plastic Surgery Is Only Used to Improve Your Appearance

Not all plastic surgery is cosmetic. The textbook definition specifies that plastic surgery is the process of reconstructing or repairing parts of the body to treat an injury or for cosmetic reasons.

In that case, reconstruction and other procedures are not only aesthetically pleasing but medically necessary. Certain conditions can cause pain, discomfort, affect function, and lower the patient’s quality of life.

For instance, a patient who has suffered a birth defect or injury will seek to improve the function as well as the appearance of body parts. That’s why it’s a surgical specialty all on its own, and certain procedures may be covered by a health insurance plan like any other health-related surgery.

Myth #3: Only Women Get Plastic Surgery

Men deserve to feel good about themselves, too. Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that 1.3 million plastic surgeries were performed on men – a 29% increase since 2000.

While men don’t experience the same drastic changes to their body, parenting, age, and lifestyle changes impact on their overall appearance and wellbeing. They often seek plastic surgery to help them professionally by gaining confidence in their career. In 2018, the most popular procedure among men was rhinoplasty, followed by eyelid surgery and liposuction.

Myth #4: Plastic Surgery Leaves No Scars

While scar tissue is a natural occurrence to plastic surgery, professional surgeons are trained to make scars look smaller and more refined. The appearance of scars also falls on the patient’s aftercare. The closer you follow instructions and care for your wounds, the better you’ll heal and minimize scar tissue.

Myth #5: The Results from Plastic Surgery Last Forever

While surgeons have the ability to make patients look younger, they cannot freeze the hands of time altogether. Luckily, many procedures and their durations are much more predictable and accurate than ever before.

Many plastic surgery types are long-lasting, often lasting years and even decades of personal satisfaction. However, the duration of results depends on many factors. The type of procedure, age, proper touch-ups, and overall health can contribute to maintaining results and wellbeing.

The duration of each procedure varies. It can be as short-term as a Botox injection (which lasts for a few months), or it can last a lifetime like rhinoplasty. Check with a professional about the desired procedure. They’ll be able to tell you the expected lifespan for the results you seek.

Conclusion

The most efficient way to debunk any more myths is to pay a visit to a reputable plastic surgeon. Once you’ve found the right provider, ask them any questions you have, and stay informed about the procedure you’re interested in. The more you know about your surgeon and the procedure you want, the better your experience will be.

Are you interested in getting plastic surgery? Call us at (310) 398-2648 or fill out this virtual consultation form and we will reach out to you as soon as possible. We’re excited for you to take this next step!