You might be surprised by how many people undergo plastic surgery these days. In 2008, over 10 million people in the U.S. alone had some form of plastic surgery performed. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery, the number of cosmetic procedures has increased by 162 percent since they started counting back in 1997. Nowadays, plastic surgery is an accepted fact. The most popular non-surgical procedure remains Botox injections and the most popular surgical procedure is, of course, breast implants. Here is a brief description of the top 20, most common plastic surgeries, in no particular order.
The Eyebrow Lift
This procedure removes excess tissue from around the eyes, tightening the skin on the forehead and reducing brow wrinkles, hooded eyes, frown lines and droopy brows. The recovery time is fairly short (anywhere from 7 to 10 days) and the benefits last for 5 to 10 years. There is some risk of muscle weakness, loss of facial motion, scarring and facial asymmetry.
Eyelid Surgery
Also known as blepharoplasy, this procedure lifts sagging eyelids and reduces puffy bags under the eyes by removing extra skin, fat and muscle. The benefits last a few years, varying with each surgery and the recovery time is 7 to 10 days, though bruising and swelling can last a few weeks. Risks include infection, bleeding swelling, dry eyes, permanent difficulty closing your eyes fully, drooping lower lids and blindness.
Face Lift
A face-lift, or rhytidectomy, fixes sagging facial features by tightening muscles, removing excess fat and re-draping skin. The effects last 5 to 10 years and the recovery time is 10 to 14 days. Risks include facial paralysis, bleeding, and drastic change in facial appearance (although this last one is, in a way, what people are trying to achieve in the first place when they get this surgery done).
Liposuction
There are a few different methods used for liposuction procedures. The most common involves sucking fat out of various body parts via a tube connected to a vacuum device. Saline-anesthetic is injected into the area in tumescent liposuction to reduce swelling and bruising. Ultrasound liposuction uses sound waves to liquefy the fat before it’s removed. Results last a life time, provided you exercise and eat well. Recovery time is one to two weeks and risks include, sagging skin, pigment changes, and excessive fluid loss leading to shock, burns, infections and/or cardiac arrest, and possibly death.
Nose Surgery
Otherwise known as rhinoplasty, this procedure reshapes the nose and can also be used to reduce breathing problems. Recovery time is one to two weeks, but complete recovery may take up to a year or more. Risks include infection and damage to blood vessels in the nose leading to red blotching.
Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, flattens and tightens a sagging stomach by removing excess fat. The results last a lifetime, provided you eat well and exercise, and the recovery period is anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks. Risks include blood clots, infection, and scarring.
Breast Augmentation
Far and away the most popular plastic surgery among women, breast augmentation involves enlarging a woman’s bust using silicone-filled or saline-filled implants. I takes only a few days to recover from the surgery, but it’s recommended that there be no contact with the breasts for up to three or four weeks.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion, as you might deduce from the word’s etymology, involves literally rubbing off wrinkles and blemishes using a high-speed rotating medical tool that scrapes away thin, outer layers of skin, leaving only softer, newer layers. Recovery time is two to six weeks, though your face might be red for up to three months. Women make up 88% of dermabrasion patients.
Breast Lift
Also called a mastopexy, the breast lift firms up and reshapes sagging breasts, without enhancing their size. Recovery time can be anywhere from one to four weeks.
Forehead Lift
This procedure removes excess tissue from the forehead area and tightens skin and muscles in same in order to reduce wrinkles and drooping skin. Recovery time is one to three weeks, but it’s recommended that you stay out of the sun for several months. Women make up well over 80% of patients for this procedure.
Hair Transplants
This one is very popular among men who are past their young adulthood. There are different techniques for hair transplants, but all tend to require several doctor visits, and it can take up to 18 months to restore your hair to its former state. About 83 percent of hair transplant patients are men.
Lip Augmentation
This procedure makes thin lips fuller. The surgery involves hallowing out the lip and inserting an implant to give your lips more body. Swelling takes about two to three weeks to subside.
Breast Implant Removal
Women who have a breast augmentation surgery and then decide that they want the implants removed can have a breast implant removal surgery. The recovery time is roughly two weeks.
Breast Reduction (for men)
Men who have a conditional called gynecomastia can develop breasts. The condition is not as uncommon as most people think. Breast reduction helps men get rid of the excess fat and glandular tissue that make up the breasts.
Chin Augmentation
If you have a week chin or a chin that seems somehow out of proportion or if you simply want a stronger, more masculine face, you can get a chin augmentation surgery, or mentoplasty. The procedure usually involves inserting a chin implant or re-shaping the actual bone. Recovery time is about a week, though numbness and discomfort can last for a few months. Risks include infection and potential facial asymmetry as result of misalignment.
Upper Arm Lift
Women make up the majority of the patients who undergo upper arm lift surgery (or brachioplasty), as the upper arm is one of the hardest parts of the body to tone, and flabby upper arms don’t look too flattering when wearing sleeveless outfits. Recovery takes about a week or less. Risks include excessive bleeding and loss of sensation.
Thigh Lift
Cellulite is one of women’s worst nightmares, especially during summertime when the warm weather calls for lighter clothes and beach parties. Thigh lifts remove extra skin and tighten the thigh tissue for a smoother, firmer look.
Cheek Implants
Cheek implants, or malar augmentation, have been gaining more popularity in recent years. They give sallow cheeks a fuller, more pinch-worthy look using implants. Recovery time is between one and two months. Risks include facial asymmetry, loss of muscle movement and facial disfigurement and severely altered facial appearance.
Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift includes correcting sagging skin in the hips, thighs, and buttocks by removing excess fat tissue and tightening skin. The procedure requires a one- to two-month recovery period.
Buttock Lift
People who just want the buttocks lifted can opt to have a simple buttock lift surgery. 92% of the patients who undergo buttock lifts are women. The surgery can be very effective in tightening and reshaping your backside.
