Popular Cosmetic Surgery: Pros and Cons of Trying to Turn Back the Hands of Time

As we age, everything on our body that was once held up by gravity seems to lose its grip as the years go by. This leads many people to think about having some type of surgical procedure to try to recapture the look and feel of their youthful sexy body. Before having any type of cosmetic surgery you should do your homework and find a reputable doctor who will discuss alternatives and outline the potential side affects and risks associated with each procedure.

The five most popular cosmetic surgery procedures are Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Rhinoplasty, Eyelid Lift, and Tummy Tuck.

Breast Augmentation

When silicone breast implants were first introduced, they received much scrutiny but most of the controversy was settled by 2006 and breast implants were reintroduced again. There are many complications that accompany having breast implants that need to be taken into consideration. Some of the complications are ruptures, infection, and scarring. Ruptures do occur but the percentage is only 1% each year. Infections are also a risk but infections are a risk with any medical surgical procedure, not just breast implants. Scarring is the main complication that causes the most problems with breast augmentation. Scar tissue can get so thick and tight around the area of the implant to where the breast starts to lose its normal shape. All of this pressure and deformation can cause severe pain. The main reason women with breast implants return to their doctor with pain, even up to 10 years later, is due to scar tissue.

Liposuction

This procedure is not meant to be used as a way to lose weight, although it will result in a flatter and tighter tummy or thigh area. Liposuction is considered to be a relatively safe surgical procedure because it does not require a large incision. The risk comes from the fluid that is injected into the fat tissue. Fluid that contains lidocaine and epinephrine are injected into the fat tissues and takes away fat depostis underneath the skin. This is the tricky part because it's not safe to add too much fluid at one time since the fluid can overload the heart. There is also a risk of infection as with any surgical procedure.

Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)

There are two types of rhinoplasty that are done - Opened and Closed. The open procedure requires the skin from the nose to be lifted off the bone and cartilage with a small incision made at the base of the nose. A closed rhinoplasty requires a small incision to be made inside of the nose. Some typical risks from this procedure are infection (as with any surgery), abnormal shape of the nose, bleeding that lasts up to four weeks, loss of smell, sinusitis, and scarring.

Eyelid Lift

To perform this procedure the excess fat is removed from around the eyes. As we age fat begins to protrude as it loses its elasticity. An eyelid lift procedure will remove the bags from under the lower eye and take away puffiness from under the lower eye. To avoid leaving scars, an incision is made only on the inside of the lower eye and not both eyes. While there aren't many risks associated with an eyelid lift, people with high blood pressure, thyroid conditions, and glaucoma should take special precaution because they have a higher risk of complications from this procedure.

Tummy Tuck

This procedure requires a large incision to be made along the lowest part of the tummy and then the excess fat is sucked out and the extra skin is cut off. Women who have had children are the ones that have this procedure done most often. The great concept to this procedure is the fact that the muscles and tissues of the tummy will be tighter and you will have a flatter and toned tummy. The most common risks are infection, scarring, and blood clots.

Sources:

webmd.com

Wikipedia

Disclaimer:

I am not a medical doctor. If you are considering having a cosmetic surgery procedure done, talk to a qualified medical professional first and ask questions about all the risks that are involved and all of the side effects that may accompany a specific procedure.