What Are the Best Plastic Surgery Combinations?
Plastic surgery combinations, i.e. getting two procedures done at once, might seem like a lot to take on. But actually, they’re more common than you may realize.
It’s not a matter of you picking and choosing procedures from a menu. The combination procedures are chosen carefully by your surgeon based on your objectives, goals, and health.
And there is a definite upside to having multiple surgeries performed simultaneously.
Benefits of Multiple Surgeries
Patients save time and money by only being put under anesthesia once. As with all surgery, there is some risk with anesthesia. By having two procedures accomplished during one round of anesthesia, patients reduce the number of times they have to be anesthetized. Furthermore, they save money.
In addition, the recovery times for each procedure are done under one umbrella. That means that patients only have to take off one period of time for work and activities rather than two.
Finally, in having two surgeries done at once, patients usually experience more dramatic results in a shorter amount of time.
The Best Plastic Surgery Combinations
There are occasions when procedures must be combined. One such occasion is when a patient opts for breast augmentation with fat transfer. In this case, the patient has to undergo liposuction in order to harvest the fat which will then be applied during the augmentation surgery.
For the most part though, combining plastic surgeries is more a matter of getting the best and most complete results with minimum invasiveness.
- The Mommy Makeover
The mommy makeover is the ultimate in combining plastic surgery procedures. There’s no one-size-fits-all though. Depending on what each patient wants or needs, there are many variations.
Generally speaking though, a mommy makeover typically includes breast augmentation for women who lost breast volume during childbirth, with a possible lift if they find their breasts sag a bit after breastfeeding. These multiple surgeries for the breast are also common among older women, regardless of their motherhood status.
In addition, if there is post-pregnancy abdominal flab that won’t go away with diet and exercise, the surgeon may also recommend a tummy tuck. On occasion, there may even be need for some vaginal rejuvenation work. Again, it depends on each individual.
- Surgeries for Contouring
In many cases, diet- and exercise-resistant fat forms in the body as we age. Especially in the abdomen. So in this case, a plastic surgeon will often combine a tummy tuck with liposuction.
The tummy tuck helps to give the waistline a sleeker and more contoured appearance, while the liposuction serves to vacuum out some of that resistant fat. When done in tandem, these two procedures deliver a smooth and attractive waistline.
- Firming up the Face
When patients are obsessed with an imperfection on the face, they typically have one specific procedure in mind. But facial surgery is complicated.
For example, someone who is troubled by a crooked nose may insist the only thing they need is rhinoplasty (i.e. nose job). But there are many occasions where once the shape of the nose changes, it brings the rest of the face out of harmony. So in these cases, the surgeon may need to add a chin augmentation or other procedure to keep the face in proportion.
This is just one example. In the realm of facial surgery, there are countless combinations such as facelift/eye lift, facelift/fat transfers, face lift/neck lift, brow lift/facelift, and eye lift with dermal fillers. It takes the work of a skilled surgeon to maintain proper facial proportion.
Curious About Combining Procedures?
When we refer to the best plastic surgery combinations, we’re really looking at the most common ones. In reality, the possibilities for combinations are nearly endless.
So if you’re curious about the benefits of multiple surgeries, contact us today. During your free consultation, your surgeon will determine whether you’re a good candidate and which procedures will serve you best.
Then get ready to put your best self forward.
The Top Reasons for Getting Plastic Surgery
(Not-so) reality TV has given plastic surgery a bad rap. Too much programming focuses on eccentric, shallow people seeking out plastic surgery for all the wrong reasons.
This is unfortunate because the vast majority of plastic surgeons are doing a lot of good for their patients. After all, there are truly legitimate reasons for getting plastic surgery.
Some of them might even surprise you.
1. Addressing Health Issues
Next time you take a full deep inhale and exhale through your nose, think for a moment how it would feel to have a constant obstruction that never allowed for such a seemingly simple action. This is the case for folks with a crooked septum or nasal polyps. Plus, they tend to suffer from more severe allergies and sinus troubles.
Enter the “nose job.” Also known as rhinoplasty, this procedure is often requested by patients who have some sort of defect inside their noses. And yeah, sure. Rhinoplasty can also address the external appearance of the nose. Which is an added benefit.
It’s not just a faulty nose that can present health problems though. Some women struggle with chronic and severe back and shoulder pain as a result of breasts that are too large. A breast reduction surgery eases this pain and allows them more freedom of movement.
Furthermore, vision problems that come from heavy, drooping, or sagging eyelids can be corrected by blepharoplasty. And just as is the case with a rhinoplasty, the procedure also helps to improve the appearance of the eyes.
2. Boosting Confidence
Some patients DO seek out a plastic surgery procedure for cosmetic purposes. And that’s completely valid. For example, a man who is constantly troubled by his facial reflection in the mirror can feel better about himself after a facelift. Or a woman who feels self-conscious about how her clothes fit because of the size of her breasts may opt for a breast augmentation. Another woman may wish to reclaim her body after a tough pregnancy.
It’s important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health. There’s a great deal to be said about boosting one’s confidence to bolster positive mental health outcomes. Because when people feel good about their physical appearance, they are more likely to present themselves to the world in a positive way.
3. Increased Safety and Affordability
Plastic surgery has made great technological strides in the past decade. The presence of lasers, pulsating light, and advanced skin treatment options are now within reach of most plastic surgeons. Plus, such strides have made these procedures safer.
These advances have also made plastic surgery more in reach for everyone. It’s no longer the domain of the wealthy Beverly Hills diva who has a few weeks free to get her face done.
Nowadays, plastic surgeons are seeing far more working professionals who are seeking a procedure for any of the above reasons. And with medical credit cards, payment plans, personal loans, and other financing options available, they can make these procedures a reality.
4. More Time on Screens
In the past ten years, everyone is seeing more of their faces everywhere. Selfies, cell phones, and social media platforms were to thank for this. Then came 2020 and COVID. Within a month, many of us were staring at our reflections day after day on Zoom. And some of us were less than satisfied.
Let’s face it. (Pun intended.) This trend isn’t going anywhere too quickly. And as a result, an increasing number of people are seeking out plastic surgery to manage this self-scrutiny with more ease. And why not? Haven’t we been through enough?
What Are Your Reasons For Getting Plastic Surgery?
There are clearly a lot of great reasons for getting plastic surgery. So if you’ve been considering it, now is the time to take that step!
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll sit down to discuss the options available to you to get you started.
Regenerative Medicine in Plastic Surgery
If you know anything about regenerative medicine, then you may be curious about the role of regenerative medicine in plastic surgery.
Then again, maybe you’re not familiar with regenerative medicine and it sounds like some sort of idea stirred up by a science fiction author. It’s not.
In fact, regenerative medicine has been a godsend for folks who’ve lost tissue because of cancer, burns, or other trauma where reconstructive plastic surgery options are limited. This is why plastic surgeons have been instrumental in developing new therapies in regenerative medicine.
So What Is Regenerative Medicine?
The field of regenerative medicine is based on the concept that doctors can turn to the body’s own powers to heal itself rather than solely relying on drugs or invasive surgical procedures. The thought is that by replacing, engineering, and regenerating human cells, tissues, or even organs, normal form and function can once again be achieved.
This is not to say that there is no use for drugs and surgical procedures though. In fact, along with cells, tissues, and organs, regenerative medicine utilizes drugs, synthetic biomaterials, and devices.
In a nut shell, the goal of regenerative medicine is to both heal damaged tissue, and form new tissue.
Regenerative Medicine in Plastic Surgery
Patients who have suffered with the aforementioned cancer and burns are not the only ones to benefit from regenerative medicine. Researchers and plastic surgeons are currently developing regenerative medicine-based treatments for those with congenital anomalies of the face and hands (including microtia, cleft lip, and cleft palate), facial nerve injuries, limb and muscle loss, and injuries to major nerves in the arms and legs.
The following are some of the ways that plastic surgeons are incorporating regenerative medicine therapies:
Burn Care
With severe burns where the dermal (innermost) layer of skin is damaged, plastic surgeons are now able to use protein scaffolds to generate new tissue there.
Tissue Expansion to Generate New Skin
Plastic surgeons also pioneered a technique whereby they are able to implant balloon devices that are gradually expanded to generate new skin tissue to cover a deformity. This therapy has been revolutionary in breast reconstruction as well as for treating birth anomalies.
Wound Care
Reconstructive plastic surgery alone may not be enough to repair complex wounds that are difficult to heal. In these cases, there’s a need for tissue engineering – i.e. skin substitutes made from living cells grown in a lab – to aid in the healing.
Additionally, it was a plastic surgeon who was the first to bring negative pressure devices into the arena of wound care. These regenerative medical devices employ micro-mechanical forces to stimulate and further wound healing.
Treating Scars
Laser and intense pulsed light are just two of the energy-based devices from the field of regenerative medicine. And they’re increasingly gaining in popularity with plastic surgeons and their patients to improve the healing of scars.
Breast Reconstruction
Women who have survived breast cancer through a mastectomy are faced with the decision of whether they want to have breast reconstruction. Today, plastic surgeons can use decellularized tissue scaffolds to generate new tissue over breast implants to achieve a better outcome.
Bone Regeneration
At one time, patients suffering extensive trauma that involved the loss of large bone segments had to cut their losses. But now, through regenerative medical therapies, plastic surgeons can take advantage of calcium-based scaffolds and biomaterials derived from bone to form new bone tissue for these patients.
Regeneration of Nerves
When is comes to regenerating nerves, this is where the field of regenerative medicine feels decidedly like something out of science fiction. But plastic surgeons are finding new ways every day to restore optimal function to patients who have experienced nerve injury.
Therapies in this area include using specialized growth factors to accelerate nerve healing, and specific biomaterials that actually guide and direct the growth of new nerve fibers.
It’s really quite amazing.
Could Plastic Surgery Help You?
Plastic surgery is no longer about just improving a nose that’s too big or breasts that are too small. Although these are completely valid surgeries, it’s clear that there’s a need for regenerative medicine in plastic surgery too.
So if you’re struggling with an aesthetic or functional flaw that you feel could be repaired though plastic surgery, contact us today. During your free consultation, your plastic surgeon will clearly lay out your options so you know exactly what to expect.
Plastic Surgery For Body Positivity
Perhaps you’ve noticed that catalogs and magazines now have models that buck what was once conventional. As a society, we’re waking up to the fact that people come in all shapes and sizes.
The body positivity movement grew out of this understanding – focusing on the idea that all bodies are beautiful. But that doesn’t mean that everyone is suddenly happy with certain features of their bodies. It’s just not that easy.
This is where plastic surgery for body positivity makes sense.
What Is Body Positivity?
In 1996, a psychotherapist and an individual who had been through treatment for an eating disorder coined the term “body positive.” They created a website that offered resources designed to help people feel good about their bodies by pulling the focus away from losing weight through unhealthy dieting and exercise efforts.
The movement evolved from there and its current incarnation emerged in 2012 in response to unrealistic feminine beauty standards. Working from the “all bodies are beautiful” battle cry, the movement became increasingly popular. Marketing campaigns and advertisements shifted gears to reflect this.
Even so, a lot of people are still confused about body positivity and essentially how to make it happen for themselves. As mentioned above, you don’t just wake up one day and decide everything is great after years or even a lifetime of struggle. And not being able to embrace body positivity can have the reverse effect of making people feel bad if they’re unable.
So yes, while body positivity embraces changes that happen naturally due to aging, pregnancy, or lifestyle choices, it doesn’t demand that someone should feel ashamed for taking action to improve some aspect of their body.
Plastic Surgery for Body Positivity
At its core, body positivity sets out to look at some of the ways that body image influences mental health and well-being. Having a healthy body image impacts the way people feel about their appearance and judge their self-worth. Meanwhile, negative body image is connected with an increased risk for conditions such as depression and eating disorders.
So how does plastic surgery help with body positivity? Quite successfully, actually. Plastic surgeons and their patients understand that aesthetic procedures aren’t meant to be quick fixes. They’re a means for making someone more comfortable in their skin.
As such, a growing number of patients are coming in to consult with plastic surgeons with modest requests that don’t involve them wanting to look like supermodels or turn back the hands of time. They eat well and exercise but just want a procedure that will help them feel better about the person they’re presenting to the world.
In addition, some procedures such as rhinoplasty and debulking liposuction (to name just two) have added health benefits. And people in good health are generally happier than those who are not.
At the end of the day, body positivity includes non-judgment for what an individual decides. And that includes plastic surgery.
Could You Use a Boost in Body Positivity?
Plastic surgery for body positivity is about embracing what makes each person unique and beautiful.
If you’ve tried to embrace and accept some aspect of your body that is causing you grief, there’s no need to endure that. Contact us today to discuss your options.
Our plastic surgeons are trained to utilize their skill set to direct ALL patients onto the path of body positivity.
Repairing A Deviated Septum
Repairing A Deviated Septum
As exotic a condition as it sounds, a deviated septum is fairly common. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 80% of people have a deviated septum.
In many cases, the symptoms are so mild that a person may be unaware he or she has the condition. That’s the best-case scenario.
But for others, a deviated septum could be interfering with their quality of life. Fortunately, there’s an effective procedure for repairing a deviated septum.
What Is a Deviated Septum?
The bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity in half are collectively known as the nasal septum. In an ideal world, the septum would run a straight line so each of the breathing passages leading to the nostrils would be equal.
But how many of us are living in an ideal world? (Hint: Nobody.)
The reality is, most of us have a septum that’s at least a little crooked or off-center. In other words, deviated. You may have been born with this condition or it developed over time. Perhaps the imbalance could be the result of an injury to the nose from playing sports, falling, or getting hit in an accident or a fight. (So much for that ideal world.)
Fortunately, many of us aren’t aware of a deviated septum because it’s not visibly noticeable or doesn’t cause any difficulty in breathing. For a handful of folks, however, a deviated septum could be causing significant issues.
Symptoms Of A Deviated Septum
We all experience nasal congestion from time to time. Sinus discomfort isn’t completely foreign to most of us either. For those with a seriously deviated septum, however, difficulty breathing through one side of the nose and recurrent sinus infections are the norm. They may also experience frequent headaches, facial pain, nosebleeds, and postnasal drip.
Then there’s the issue of slumber. A deviated septum can disrupt sleep by causing the sufferer to breathe loudly or to snore. This can further lead to apnea – a dangerous condition wherein the person stops breathing altogether during sleep.
While there are medications that may alleviate some of the less serious symptoms, surgery is often the chosen option for those who repeatedly suffer with deviated septum symptoms.
Repairing A Deviated Septum
The surgical procedure for repairing a deviated septum is called septoplasty and it’s fairly straightforward.
During septoplasty, the patient is given either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Which one is administered will depend on the surgeon’s recommendations.
For a septoplasty that’s performed without other procedures, the incisions are typically within the naval cavity. In situations where the septoplasty is performed with a rhinoplasty, the surgeon may make a small incision across the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils (also known as the columella).
The tissue covering the septum – the nasal mucosal lining – is then elevated to make the deviated septum visible. While maintaining the shape of the nose, the skilled surgeon either removes or reshapes the crooked or deviated section of the bone and cartilage.
Once it is straightened, the mucosal lining is repositioned around it and the incision is sutured back together. Splints may or may not be placed inside the nose to keep the septum in place and reduce scar tissue formation during healing.
That’s all there is to it!
Think You May Benefit From Septoplasty?
If any of the above-mentioned symptoms are altering your quality of life, repairing a deviated septum may be the solution.
So contact us today.
During your free consultation, we’ll determine whether you’re a good candidate for septoplasty surgery. And within three to six months, you could be breathing a whole lot easier.
Do You Need Revision Surgery?
Plastic surgery can be life-changing in so many positive ways. There are occasions though, rare as they may be, where the results of the surgery aren’t… ideal.
In the vast majority of plastic surgery procedures, when you do the research and choose a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform it, the results are exactly what you’d hoped for and anticipated.
But in unusual cases where the surgery results in unaddressed issues or more problems rather than fewer, you will need to look into revision surgery.
There Are Multiple Forms of Revision Surgery
Revision surgery is any procedure that is performed to correct negative issues that resulted from a previous surgery. And to be clear, it is not unique to plastic surgery. It’s performed across the spectrum of surgical specialities.
That’s why it’s essential to vet any surgeon that will be operating on you. Just because a plastic surgeon has a degree doesn’t mean he or she is uniquely qualified to perform the procedure you require. And if you end up with a botched up job, you could end up struggling with excessive scarring, aesthetic problems, or even functional issues.
While there are any number of revision surgeries, the following are among the most common in plastic surgery:
- Facial Procedures
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, requires precision to deliver exact results. If the nostrils end up too narrow or wide or the tip of the nose is droopy after surgery, it’s impossible to hide. So this is among the most common revision procedures for plastic surgery.
In addition, rhinoplasty may be performed for functional issues such as improving breathing and reducing snoring. If the initial surgery fails to address these, a revision surgery would be a definite consideration.
It would also be suggested for patients who are dissatisfied with continued jowls or changes to appearance after a facelift; or for those who are uncomfortable with the look, feel, or size of facial implants.
- Breast Procedures
When patients come in for either a breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction, they are seeking breasts that are symmetrical and have a natural look and feel. This is also true for patients who have undergone reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. If a surgeon is unable to deliver these results, a revision surgery is needed.
In addition, revision surgery is required if there is capsular contracture, or the breast implant has deflated, eroded, or is simply malpositioned.
- Tummy Tuck
Surgical revision after a tummy tuck, a.k.a. abdominoplasty, is not as common. And in many cases, it’s not technically revision surgery if the patient’s dissatisfaction is the result of gaining or losing weight or getting pregnant after the surgery.
There are rare incidents though where a raised scar, abnormal belly button, or continued excess skin are cause for revision surgery.
No matter what the cause for potential revision surgery, it is not a decision to be made without weighing all your options.
Revision Surgery Is Not a Quick Go-To
Keep in mind that recovery from any surgery takes time. You don’t want to be too quick to assume that something terrible is happening during the healing process. You’ll need to be patient. Swelling subsides, scars fade, and the body eventually adjusts to its new situation. Depending on a wide array of factors, could take up to a year.
In addition, you’ll be faced with the additional cost of the surgery, as well as the recovery time required after the procedure. In other words, it’s not a quick solution. So unless you’re deeply dissatisfied or the surgeon has made an egregious error, it should only be considered after a great deal of thought.
Are You Dissatisfied With a Plastic Surgical Procedure?
If you’re not happy with the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure and would like to explore the option of revision surgery, contact us today for a free consultation.
You’ll be able to sit down with our doctors and discuss all of your options.
Then it’s determined that revision is right for you, you can rest easy in knowing that our board-certified plastic surgeons skilled in the revision process will give you the results you desired – and deserved – the first time around.
Why Personalized Care and Procedures Matter
It’s been said time again that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So when you have a specific aesthetic you’re trying to achieve, why settle for standard-issue procedures from your plastic surgeon?
You shouldn’t.
When you’re considering plastic surgery, personalized care and procedures matter more than you think. So when it’s time to choose your board-certified plastic surgeon, you want one who is going to give you the individualized attention you deserve.
There Is No Such Thing As One-Size-Fits-All
While symmetry and balance are desirable attributes, there are so many other variables and factors that come into play when surgeons plan procedures. Each patient is unique and any surgeon who doesn’t take the time to offer personalized care and procedures is not worth your time (or money).
A truly skilled plastic surgeon is one who customizes each procedure to meet the individual needs of the patient. Before even considering a surgical procedure, he or she will do the following:
- Look At the Body As a Whole
It’s not unusual for women to seek out plastic surgery for breast augmentation. And in many cases, women want larger and fuller breasts. That’s totally understandable.
However, if the patient in question is thin and has a small frame, she’s not going to fare well with the same sized implants that a taller woman with a medium frame would. (Even if she thinks she will.) She’s going to need implants that make sense for her size.
In the same vein, when a patient comes to the surgeon with an idea of what’s going to be the “perfect nose,” the surgeon must consider the entire structure of the face and its existing features when planning a rhinoplasty procedure.
- Discuss Appearance Goals
Similar to the need to regard the patient’s body as a whole, it’s important that the surgeon discuss what the patient sees as his or her ideal and offer best methods.
For instance, sometimes during a consultation, a patient will insist that he or she needs a tummy tuck to take off that extra belly weight. And that may be exactly what he or she needs. However, if the same level of satisfaction can be achieved through an easier procedure like liposuction, a surgeon who practices personalized care would recommend this.
- Take Lifestyle Into Consideration
For plastic surgeons, the patient’s lifestyle choices are important factors to consider when personalizing a procedure and care plan.
There are occasions where a patient wants to achieve a specific look that involves a series of different surgeries. This can take a lot of time. If this patient has a large family or a job that demands a lot of his or her time, the surgeries would likely need to be spread out over a longer amount of time or even put on hold.
Meanwhile, patients who have a poor diet and/or are fairly sedentary should expect to experience longer healing times. And for patients who smoke, they will be asked to quit before partaking in any surgical procedure.
Personalized Care and Procedures Matter
It’s clear that in order to get the best results from plastic surgery, personalized care and procedures matter. So contact us today for a free consultation.
Through comprehensive communication about your body type, goals/expectations and lifestyle, our board-certified surgeons will create an individualized treatment plan designed specifically for you.
How Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Differ
What do you think of when you hear the words “cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery”?
Chances are, you think that cosmetic is for those who want to get rid of wrinkles or enhance a body part, while reconstructive is more needful.
That’s not entirely incorrect. However, there are plenty of occasions where elective cosmetic surgery can be as life changing as reconstructive.
We’ll break them down here.
Cosmetic Surgery
Yes. As the name implies, the aim of cosmetic surgery is to enhance one’s appearance by reshaping different parts of the anatomy to make them more visually appealing.
Cosmetic plastic surgery is performed on all areas of the body, head, and neck. It treats areas that already function properly. Even so, there are many cosmetic surgeries that also improve function. For example, a rhinoplasty procedure (nose job) can help to improve breathing while also enhancing the appearance of the nose.
A vast array of procedures fall under the cosmetic surgery umbrella. Breast augmentation, reduction, and lift all fall into this category. So do procedures that aim to contour or rejuvenate the face, including rhinoplasty, facelift, eyelid lift, neck lift, and brow lift. A tummy tuck, liposuction, and gynecomastia repair, as well as skin rejuvenation procedures such as laser resurfacing, botox, and filler treatments are all considered cosmetic procedures.
Reconstructive Surgery
Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery differ in that the latter is considered medically necessary.
The objective of reconstructive surgery is to both improve appearance and restore function of the targeted area(s). It aims to correct deformities caused by trauma, disease, or birth defects. Two of the most common types of procedures are breast reconstruction following a lumpectomy or mastectomy, as well as reconstructive surgery after burn injuries.
Other examples include cleft lip and palate repair, extremity defect repair, lower extremity reconstruction, scar revision, and hand surgery.
Is There An Overlap?
Regardless of whether it’s cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, the underlying surgical principles are the same. And ultimately, the goal is to maximize the cosmetic result as much as possible. So there’s really quite a significant overlap between these two surgeries.
The basis of surgical training for plastic surgeons is of the reconstructive variety – though many go on to complete additional training to perform cosmetic surgery. The two are so closely interconnected that in 1999, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons changed its name to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The aim was to communicate the message that there’s virtually no difference between plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
The Board-Certified Difference
A plastic surgeon with the “board-certified” designation indicates an advanced level of training and experience.
Board-certified surgeons are required to complete one of two routes of training. They either partake in an integrated residency training that combines three years of general surgery and three years of plastic surgery or
an independent, five-year residency program in general surgery which is then followed by the three-year plastic surgery residency program.
So it’s in a patient’s best interest to insist on a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Changes Lives
Both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures have the ability to improve one’s health and well-being. So if you feel that you could benefit from either of these, contact us today.
No matter which one might be right for you, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the anticipated result with your surgeon who will ensure that appropriate expectations are met.
Are There Plastic Surgery Health Benefits?
The answer is yes. Despite the common misconception that plastic surgery is only performed for aesthetic purposes, there are definitely plastic surgery health benefits.
These perks tend, more often than not, to go unmentioned. Glossy magazines and reality television highlight the showier aspects of plastic surgery.
Yet, there are functional benefits that go far beyond cosmetic improvement.
Plastic Surgery Health Benefits You Haven’t Considered
There are countless procedures that can improve one’s health and quality of life. For example, a blepharoplasty, or eye lid surgery, not only improves one’s appearance, but can improve vision as well.
And though not surgery, cosmetic wrinkle injections can have the added benefit of treating a condition such as hyperhidrosis – or excessive sweating.
But rather than getting too deep into the weeds, we’re going to instead look at four general ways that plastic surgery can actually benefit your health:
- Better Mental Health
While it’s not necessarily more important to look good than to feel good, they definitely have an impact on one another. Plastic surgery that is seemingly done for purely cosmetic purposes can go along way toward boosting confidence and self-esteem.
This is especially true for patients whose negative body image plagues them enough to physically isolate themselves. Such isolation and poor self-image can lead to depression and the health risks involved with it. So in this way, the simple act of improving or eliminating a cosmetic flaw can be the ultimate act of caring for oneself.
In addition, for women (and even men) who have had a single or double mastectomy, a reconstructive surgery to create breasts can give them a boost after a particularly traumatic operation.
- Relieving Pain
Another benefit of plastic surgery is its ability to alleviate muscle and joint pain. Women who seek out plastic surgeons for breast reduction often do so because they suffer with back and shoulder pain from poor posture and strain.
In fact, any procedure that aims to reduce overall bodyweight will not only increase confidence, but also decrease strain on the body that can cause pain and discomfort. Even non surgical treatments can have little-known medical benefits, such as reducing headaches.
- Lowering Risk of Disease
At this point, it’s widely understood the importance of sleep. Not getting enough of it has shown to increase the risk for getting many different diseases, including Alzheimer’s. So along with relieving pain that can rob one of his or her sleep, a plastic surgery procedure such as a rhinoplasty (a.k.a. nose job) improves breathing and lessens snoring for a better night’s sleep.
Then there’s the issue of obesity.
Obesity-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes not only impact the quality of life, but they can be fatal. In fact, heart disease is at the top of the list for killers in America.
Plastic surgery procedures that include liposuction reduce body mass and lower fat percentages to contribute to healthier organs, including the pancreas. The removal of extra weight enables the heart to pump more effectively and reduces the risk of developing heart disease.
- The Drive to Live a Healthier Life
Finally, undergoing a procedure frequently gives patients the push they need to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Because they’ve invested in surgery to get this new lease on life, they are less likely to return to the old habits that brought them to the surgeon in the first place.
In situations where people feel more confident and self-assured, aren’t struggling with pain, and aren’t carrying extra weight, they’re more inspired to work out, eat well, drink plenty of water, and seek out relationships and activities that nurture them rather than tear them down.
In this regard, plastic surgery is truly empowering.
Is Your Health At Risk?
If you’re carrying a lot of extra weight or are struggling with the mental insecurities about your appearance, you may just want to throw in the towel.
Instead, consider all of the plastic surgery health benefits that could be available to you. Whatever your situation, contact us today for a free consultation to find out if plastic surgery could help.
You may be surprised by how just how close you are to better health!
Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Plastic Surgery
Nearly every plastic surgeon has been posed with the question, “Can plastic surgery help with body dysmorphic disorder?”
There is no simple answer. The relationship between body dysmorphic disorder and plastic surgery is complicated.
This is due to the complex nature of this condition. So much of it depends on the severity of the disorder.
What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
It’s safe to say that the vast majority of people have some aspect of their body that isn’t their favorite. It could be an uneven smile, a nose that’s too big, maybe a skin condition, or some extra weight around the middle.
Many patients feel enough dissatisfaction around these imperfections to seek out plastic surgery. For folks with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), however, the imperfections can feel larger than life. Even when they’re comparatively minor.
Those suffering with severe BDD might become so obsessed with their flaws – which in some cases are merely perceived and not even real – that they miss school or work and isolate themselves out of fear that they’re unpresentable or even hideous.
No matter how often they’re told that nothing is wrong they cannot see it and refuse to believe it. In severe cases, they cannot control their negative thoughts and fall prey to emotional distress and an inability to function in society.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Plastic Surgery
The causes of BDD are unclear and can be wide and varied. In most cases, there are certain biological and environmental factors that contribute to its development. For example, biological factors can include things such as genetic predisposition and malfunction of serotonin in the brain. Meanwhile, life experiences involving trauma or abuse may contribute on the environmental level.
Because there is such a strong psychological component, plastic surgery was for a long time contraindicated for BDD. The belief was that BDD was essentially a body image problem and that cosmetic procedures will yield little to no improvement in the patients’ perception of themselves.
Indeed, patients with severe BDD who exhibit avoidant and obsessive behavior, delusional thinking, and impaired global functioning are not likely to benefit from plastic surgery.
In these cases, psychological treatment is typically recommended – as those with severe BDD are working with flawed perception and therefore making a purely physical change will not change their outcome.
But What About Patients With Mild to Moderate BDD?
This is where treating body dysmorphic disorder with plastic surgery is starting to make some headway.
In cases where BDD is mild or even moderate but the patient is actively working with the psychological component of the disorder, plastic surgery could potentially improve their outcome.
The key is in the patient’s ability to gain the tools that help them to see that their perception is flawed, and then to have realistic expectations from the surgery. In other words, they have an understanding that plastic surgery is not a cure for their condition.
Thus, for patients with a low level of BDD who are doing the psychological work and are functioning in society, a plastic surgery procedure could move the progress along.
It’s still tricky though.
Plastic surgeons have to take extra measures in working with BDD patients. Validated preoperative assessment tools and management of post-procedure expectations are crucial for the welfare of both the patient and the physician.
Hope for Those With BDD?
Obviously, the issue of body dysmorphic disorder and plastic surgery is far from cut and dry.
But with an ever evolving understanding of BDD, there is new hope for those with mild or moderate cases to include plastic surgery as a part of their broader treatment plan.
Contact us today to find out more about how plastic surgery could improve your health and change how you feel about yourself for the better.
