5 Plastic Surgery Myths: Fact vs. Fiction

There are many misconceptions and oversimplified ideas circulating about plastic surgery.

Maybe you’ve heard gossip from friends or read a snippet from a magazine that left you confused or unsure about various plastic surgery procedure facts.

Patients or those considering surgery should keep themselves accurately informed, however.

It’s time to separate fact from fiction.

Myth: Only women get plastic surgery

Women do make up the majority of plastic surgery patients, however, there has been a huge increase in males going under the knife.

Male celebrities are even opening up about their exact procedures – Simon Cowell got Botox, Sylvester Stallone had work done to his forehead, and Dwayne Johnson had Gynecomastia to shrink his chest size.

Many women opt for “mommy-makeovers,” which help women restore their pre-pregnancy bodies, but there are also men who want “daddy do-overs.” Many men want to look fitter, younger, and more masculine, just as many women desire feminine silhouettes and youthfulness.

A desire to improve appearance runs through both genders.

Here are some corresponding statistics taken from ASAPS latest annual report:

Women had more than 9.6 million cosmetic procedures – 90% of the total. The number of procedures for women increased over 429% from 1997.

The top five surgical procedures for women were:

• Liposuction
• Breast Augmentation
• Tummy Tuck
• Eyelid Surgery
• Breast Lift

Men had more than 1 million procedures performed – 10% of the total.

The number of cosmetic procedures for men has increased over 273% from 1997.

The top five surgical procedures for men were:

• Liposuction
• Nose Surgery
• Eyelid Surgery
• Male Breast Reduction
• Facelift

Myth: A plastic surgeon is the same as a cosmetic surgeon

When a patient begins a search to find a plastic surgeon, one of the most common things he or she is not aware of is that there is a difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon.

Cosmetic surgery is performed by many physicians, and unfortunately, some are not under the guidance of a properly credentialed board. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board acknowledged and approved by the National Board of Medical Specialties. That means members certified by that board are held to the highest standards as it pertains to skills, knowledge, judgment, safety and ethics in that particular specialty.

Here is a chart to help understand the breakdown of training:

Dr. Stanley Poulos and Dr. Yngvar Hvistendahl are board-certified plastic surgeons in Marin County who specialize in Mommy Makeover procedures for Marin, Napa, and Sonoma County patients, including tummy tuck, breast lift, and breast augmentation. They also specialize in liposuction and facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty and serve Greenbrae, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, and other nearby communities.

Myth: Plastic surgery is only for the vain

Although breast augmentations, Botox and facelifts get all the press, plastic surgery encompasses everything from correcting birth defects such as cleft palates to post-cancer breast reconstruction and work-related hand injuries.

Plastic surgeons care about the functional and overall results after surgery, not just the aesthetics.

When a patient does choose to have surgery for cosmetic reasons, it is often to correct areas which are not amenable to diet, weight loss or nonsurgical procedures. OR the patient has made a carefully considered, reasonable decision on enhancing their appearance for their own specific benefits.

Myth: Patients are all rich and famous

Most aesthetic patients are not the rich and famous, but are average people who simply wish to restore confidence, enhance their overall appearance and improve their happiness.

Myth: It’s a one and done deal with no scars

All types of plastic surgery will generally cause some type of scar formation, but plastic surgeons are great at making scars look better (more refined and smaller).

Here is a graphic to explain how surgeons hide common plastic surgery scars:

And while many plastic surgery procedures are long-lasting and can give you years, if not decades of personal satisfaction, many factors determine how long the results will last.

Here are some ways to maintain post-surgery appearance:

• Take care of skin – lessen harsh sun exposure or try chemical peels or facials
• Go for non-invasive procedures – this could be something like getting a Venus Legacy treatment to tighten skin
• Understand that surgical touch-ups may be needed – often implants need to be redone after a certain amount of time. Always talk to your doctor about upkeep and post-surgery procedures
• Keep overall health good – liposuction might get rid of fat, but not sticking to a diet or exercise and taking care of your body could bring back the fat

Conclusion

Plastic surgery is a common medical specialty. Because of how often individuals seek out cosmetic procedures there should not be any mystery or misconceptions surrounding it.

Shedding light on common myths can help those curious about plastic surgery find answers to their questions.

Were you surprised by any of the myths busted in this article? Comment below!