It’s important to feel like you look good. A positive self-image is a vital component of success and happiness, and while a healthy diet and active lifestyle form the essential foundation for a strong physique, in some cases they just simply aren’t enough. It is for this reason that cosmetic surgery has developed – a specific type of plastic surgery focused on the restoration, maintenance, and even enhancement of the body and its form, whose goal and purpose is to help people look as good as they feel.
Though ‘plastic surgery’ is often used to mean cosmetic surgery specifically, that term is actually much more general, referring to a broad branch of medicine concerned with the body’s form and function. Non-cosmetic plastic surgeons commonly treat burn victims and perform any number of reconstructive surgeries. The two groups are equally qualified (required to hold either an MD, MBBS, or DO), and simply differ in their specialization and chosen area of practice.
Aesthetic plastic surgery is extremely popular around the world. In the United States, cosmetic surgery is a multi-billion dollar business, with well over 10 million surgeries performed each year. As big as these numbers might seem, the real surprise is overseas – where other countries have become equally large proponents and practitioners of cosmetic procedures. Aesthetic surgeries have long since become routine in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, along with many other countries throughout Europe. China, perhaps shockingly, has evolved into the cosmetic surgery capital of Asia, performing more procedures annually than any other Eastern nation. It would seem that, almost everywhere, people have begun to realize the tremendous potential of cosmetic surgery, and are now taking full advantage of its ability to rebuild and transform.
POPULAR TYPES OF COSMETIC SURGERY
Listed below are some of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery, along with a short definition. More information on each procedure can be found on their individual pages. It is important to remember that surgery (of any kind) is serious, and it is generally a good idea to talk to a professional in order to make sure that all of your questions are answered. Call 1-800-IDEAL-YOU if you would like to get in touch with a top cosmetic surgeon in your area.
Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants – Breast augmentation is a procedure designed to correct or enhance the size and shape of the breasts. It is usually performed via the insertion of breast implants.
Face Lift – A face lift involves the tightening of the skin and muscles of the face in order to eliminate wrinkles, loose skin, or other signs of wear and age.
Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery – A newer type of cosmetic surgery has recently become popular, entailing the removal of excess skin and fat tissue from the upper and lower eyelids.
Liposuction – Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove excessive fat tissue from various places on the body.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) – A tummy tuck is designed to increase the firmness of the abdomen by tightening muscles and excising loose skin.
Lower Body Lifts – A lower body lift is similar to a tummy tuck, only applied to the thighs, buttocks, and hips as well as the abdomen.