According to the International Society of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), more than 8.5 million operations were performed worldwide in 2009! And the number of people who want to argue with time and nature continues to increase from year to year. In other words, over the past 10–20 years, plastic surgery has ceased to be a service available exclusively to celebrities: now ordinary mortals, who are not alien to the desire to look young and elegant, can afford themselves a pretty nose, expressive eyes, ample breasts or a flat tummy. What does that require? Money, time, a good clinic and a qualified surgeon who will take on the creation of your new look. However, it should be recalled that any plastic surgery is not an ordinary procedure or a tribute to fashion, but a serious surgical intervention fraught with possible complications.
Top 10 Myths About Plastic Surgery
Myth 1. Only those who are dissatisfied with their appearance resort to plastic surgery.
This is an erroneous misconception, since statistics show that people resort to plastic surgery for a variety of reasons: to regain a slim body after pregnancy and childbirth, to get rid of the first signs of aging, for medical reasons. A very serious motive is publicity and the need to always look good due to the nature of doing business or another profession.
For example, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is performed when the patient has ptosis (drooping eyelid) and it is difficult for him to fully open his eye. Rhinoplasty is performed to eliminate tumor growths and the consequences of injuries, or for the most important thing - good nasal breathing.
Myth 2. Plastic surgery should only be done in adulthood.
This statement indicates ignorance of the intricacies of plastic surgery. Each operation has a recommended age: for example, otoplasty (ear surgery) is performed from 7 years of age (but according to indications), rhinoplasty and mammoplasty - from 18 years of age, facelift - according to indications.
Remember that plastic surgery is performed not only on patients who want to transform themselves and look younger, but also for medical reasons.
Myth 3. Scars will remain.
You can now forget about scars and cicatrices after surgery forever. Specialists are now performing minimally invasive, gentle techniques that require minimal recovery.
Of course, everyone’s body is different and some patients have a tendency to form scars, but in these cases it is necessary to contact plastic surgeons who know how to care for patients using therapeutic and physiotherapeutic methods. Unfortunately, there are few such plastic surgeons.
Another example: facial plastic surgery with threads. Using special threads, a plastic surgeon tightens the skin on the patient’s face without surgery. Some of them dissolve over time, creating a natural frame, and some remain forever, reinforcing the natural frame.
Myth 4. Implants cause cancer.
Implants do not affect the behavior of cancer cells. The risk of getting cancer after breast augmentation is the same as before the installation of endoprostheses: it all depends on genetics and lifestyle. Even if the implant is installed incorrectly and the wrong shape is chosen, there will be no such risk.
Regarding mammoplasty, women also often believe that breast enlargement is not possible before pregnancy. But in fact, this does not in any way affect the physiological processes occurring in a woman’s body. No one can guarantee that after childbirth the breast shape obtained after plastic surgery will remain the same. But it is absolutely not necessary to remove the implant before pregnancy - it does not in any way disrupt the lactation function of the mammary gland.
Myth 5. Complications after plastic surgery are deadly.
Any surgical procedure involves some risk. Any complication or inflammation can occur after any other procedure, not necessarily only after plastic surgery. The final result depends on the level of professionalism of the surgeon, the correctness of the operation and compliance with all rules during the rehabilitation period.
Myth 6. Getting plastic surgery is a shame.
This prejudice originated in the middle of the last century, when it was believed that a woman with natural beauty should not use cosmetics or resort to any complex manipulations.
Natural beauty is wonderful! But over time, the first wrinkles appear on the face of any person, and frequent stress and a fast-paced lifestyle lead to the appearance of the first skin imperfections and excess weight.
From a psychological point of view, any actions aimed at increasing self-confidence are always very good. And plastic surgery increases self-confidence, which inevitably brings success in life. Plastic surgery helps create the desired first impression.
In addition, plastic surgeries performed using modern equipment and technologies give natural results.
Myth 7. A facelift makes it look like a doll.
Modern techniques for facial plastic surgery not only tighten the skin, as in former times, but also evenly redistribute all layers of facial tissue relative to each other. As a result, the face becomes fresh, youthful with the natural smoothness of a lively face. As a rule, what makes a doll-like face is either the surgeon’s lack of professionalism or the patient’s desire to look like that.
Myth 8. Plastic surgery is done once for a lifetime.
The effect of plastic surgery lasts for about 8-10 years. But any type of facial plastic surgery has a temporary effect due to the fact that not a single plastic surgery stops time and does not affect the biochemical processes occurring in cells.
But, of course, the result of operations such as otoplasty and rhinoplasty will remain forever, since no additional deformations occur in this place during life, or the changes are not great.
Myth 9. Plastic surgery cannot be performed in the summer.
Surgery can be performed at any time of the year, whenever you decide or the surgeon prescribes. The only thing you need to understand is that after the operation you need time for rehabilitation. It is better to plan it without scheduling things that could interfere with successful and easy rehabilitation.
The first day, as a rule, is spent in well-equipped and comfortable rooms with air conditioning and other amenities. Another thing is that summer is vacation time and you don’t want to spend it in a hospital room. But that's up to you to decide.
Myth 10. Liposuction allows you to get rid of cellulite forever.
Unfortunately, liposuction is not capable of completely evening out the relief: this technique has a completely different task - to remove fat deposits. Cellulite can be dealt with by proper nutrition, exercise and the right combination of cosmetic procedures after liposuction.
Prices
For any of the procedures included in the concept of “body plastic surgery”, the price is determined by the complexity and volume of the surgical intervention performed.
Surgical correction of hips
| Inner thigh lift: medial | 3600 euros |
| Outer thigh lift: lateral | 4800 euros |
| Thighplasty: inner + outer thighs + legs - knee | 6350 euros |
Body Lift – Torsoplasty
| Body lift – Torsoplasty + overnight stay | 8000 euros |
Butt contouring
| Liposculpture 1 zone | 1250 euros |
| Addition Brazilian Butt Lift with liposculpture 1 zone, per session | 1755 euros |
| Correction of gluteal folds | 2650 euros |
| Glute lift | 4150 euros |
| Buttock augmentation with implants | 5700 euros |
| Removal of buttock implants | 1500 euros |
Hand correction
| Shoulder liposculpture | 1250 euros |
| Arm Lift: hand skin tightening | 2800 euros |
| Arm Lift: Shoulder Fat Removal | 1700 euros |
All prices indicated in the table are approximate! They may be different in different clinics. The presented level of average prices for plastic surgery in Belgium is current at the time of publication of the article.
In what cases should plastic surgery not be performed?
- Oncological diseases. Tissue transfer during surgery can move dangerous, infected cells to healthy areas of the body.
- Diabetes mellitus provokes diseases and dysfunction of internal organs, decreased blood circulation during surgical interventions, and as a result the skin may die.
- Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that causes severe bleeding during surgery.
- Acute infectious diseases. During such diseases, immunity is lowered and the body is weakened. There is an increased risk of the spread of pathogenic microorganisms; surgery can lead to sepsis.
- Pregnancy and lactation period. Medicines used during surgery have a negative effect on the fetus. In addition, surgery is a great stress for the whole body.
- Minor age. All surgical operations are performed on patients over 18 years of age. Exceptions are ENT operations, which are performed even on children.
- A long history of smoking leads to a long process of tissue regeneration, which means a long recovery period.
- The menstrual cycle increases bleeding during surgery.
- Old age of the patient. People over 65 years of age are less able to tolerate anesthesia and stress during surgery. Therefore, the patient must undergo all necessary tests in advance.
- Keloids. There is a high probability of formation of a convex scar at the incision site. The keloid scar is constantly growing and causes anxiety (itching, pain).
Contraindications
Not all women can undergo facial plastic surgery.
For example, it is prohibited if the patient has:
- inflammation in the area where the incision was planned to be made;
- acute and chronic infections;
- chronic diseases in the acute stage;
- malignant neoplasms;
- problems with blood clotting.
It is also prohibited to do this procedure:
- pregnant and lactating women;
- ladies who have recently undergone chemical peeling and deep facial resurfacing.
In addition, each plastic surgery has its own special list of contraindications.
For example, otoplasty should not be performed on patients who have:
- acute inflammatory diseases;
- ailments localized in the cardiovascular system.
Rhinoplasty is prohibited for patients with:
- inflammation localized on the skin of the facial surface;
- herpes and other colds.
Circumferential facial lifting is prohibited for patients with:
- severe illnesses affecting internal organs;
- infections;
- malignant neoplasms;
- problems with blood clotting.
What should you not be afraid of with plastic surgery?
Most often, a patient’s fear of plastic surgery appears because of stories in the media about unsuccessful surgical interventions or because of the unsuccessful experience of a friend. Everything gets worse if loved ones are categorically against it and discourage you from having plastic surgery.
The patient experiences fear:
- Something won't go according to plan. An experienced surgeon performs operations every day, which means he is ready for any turn of events.
- Anesthesia. It is frightening to realize that the patient cannot influence the course of the operation. But anesthesia allows the surgeon to effectively perform operations and the patient not to experience pain.
- Scars and scars. They are afraid that noticeable scars will make the body unaesthetic. Surgeons are proficient in “invisible suture” techniques, which are unnoticeable after rehabilitation.
Reasons and indications
Not all women can undergo such procedures.
They are done if the patient has:
- severe drooping of the upper eyelid, soft tissues;
- disturbances in facial contours;
- asymmetry;
- irregularly shaped chin;
- pronounced, deep grooves;
- severe scars and scars;
- loose skin;
- swelling and bags localized under the eyeballs;
- “bryley”, i.e. when special folds appear;
sagging skin in the neck and lower jaw. Doctors call this phenomenon a protruding “double chin.”
What are the real risks of plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery, like any operation, is always stressful for the body. The surgeon is obliged to honestly talk about all possible complications of surgery.
- Thromboembolism. With thromboembolism, blood clots form in the large veins of the legs or pelvis. When these blood clots break off and travel to the lungs, the pulmonary arteries become blocked.
- Damage to nerve endings. A common occurrence after surgery is numbness. Sensitivity returns 6-12 months after surgery. But in some cases, the nerve endings remain damaged forever.
- Infection and injury to internal organs. During the operation, perforation (puncture) of internal organs is possible, which can lead to infection, malfunction of the damaged system, or a heart attack.
- Hematomas and seromas. This is the accumulation of blood under the skin, resulting in painful bruising. With seroma, tissue fluid accumulates under the skin due to rupture of small vessels, causing a tumor or abscess to appear. Seromas must be drained, that is, dried, since the liquid contents may contain infection.
Postoperative period
Recovery after surgery
The recovery period after body contouring depends on the type of procedure performed and whether complex procedures were performed. The incisions are usually covered with a surgical dressing or bandages. In some procedures, a small drainage tube may be placed under the skin at the incision sites to remove excess fluid or blood. Pain, discomfort, or swelling can be treated with pain medications, proper elevation of the limb, and/or cold compresses. The postoperative period proceeds individually, and the surgeon will give individual recommendations to the patient on how to care for the operated areas.
General recommendations include:
- sufficient amount of sleep and rest;
- moderate physical activity to ensure normal blood circulation;
- maintaining a sufficient degree of moisture in the operated areas.
Patients should limit any activities that may cause additional swelling. You should avoid strenuous activity or exercise for 6 weeks after surgery or until your doctor tells you to.
results
The results of body contouring can usually be seen immediately. However, the final silhouette improvement will take place over the first few weeks as swelling and bruising decrease.
It takes time for residual swelling to resolve and complete healing of scars, so patients should understand that overall results may not be completely obvious for at least 3 months.
Additionally, it may take 12 months for the scar to settle down and look as natural as possible. Patients with a full body lift (such as a circumferential lift combined with a torsoplasty) or multiple procedures will be able to see final results in about 2 years as the body will need adequate time to heal between procedures.
Body contouring provides long-lasting, long-lasting results while the patient maintains a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. The body inevitably continues to age, so gravity and age-related issues will of course change some results, but most improvements should remain.
Should I decide on plastic surgery or not?
Only you can answer this question yourself. If this is not a medical indication, but only a tool for transforming yourself, you should determine for yourself whether you are emotionally and physically ready to undergo surgery. Make an appointment with a surgeon and consult with your doctor. You can first study additional information on official medical websites.
You can have plastic surgery in Krasnoyarsk at the effi plastic surgery clinic. We care about the health of our patients during and after surgery, so we carefully monitor all changes in your body and only accept for surgery those who are ready both mentally and physically.
