New technologies, new techniques and a growing market have led to an explosion in plastic surgery procedures. But why?
Plastic surgery is a broad term that describes a variety of medical procedures designed to improve and reconstruct different parts of a patient’s body. One of the most popular interventions is related to altering the size and shape of your breasts (gynecomastia in males), including breast lifts and implants. Other popular procedures include face-lifts, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty (nose jobs) and liposuction. Plastic surgery is not just for movie stars anymore; it is becoming increasingly accessible for a wide range of people with varying concerns about their appearance or health.
Which country to choose for plastic surgery?
There are many countries in the world where you can make plastic surgery. The choice is difficult because there are a lot of doctors and clinics that have positive feedback on the internet. Usually, you will have to choose between countries with traditionally high level of general medicine and those that are leaders in number of plastic interventions in one year.
According to experts, a number of plastic surgery procedures have become easier physically, financially and emotionally than ever before.
How can you #love yourself, but at the same time not be engaged in doing cosmetic procedures to beautify your appearance, reduce/enlarge body parts or achieve more proportional body proportions? It’s easier now — physically, financially, and emotionally — than you ever thought, experts say.
Below are the top five cosmetic surgeries that have seen an upward trend over the past year:
• breast augmentation – mammoplasty (+4%)
• liposuction, lipofilling (+5%)
• rhinoplasty (+2%)
• blepharoplasty – eyelid surgery (+1%)
• tummy tuck – abdominoplasty (about the same)
There has also been an increase in body liposculpture procedures, such as buttock augmentation, which improves the contour, size, or shape of the buttocks, and thigh lifts, which reduce excess skin and fat in the upper legs.
This could be a varied list, but most of them probably have one thing in common.
“Most patients seek [plastic] surgeries to find the best match for their appearance,” says Dr. Suren Sahakyan. “It’s a magical paradox when I help people look the same but better.”
Why are cosmetic procedures gaining popularity?
Plastic surgeons cite a number of reasons why people preach “Don’t let anyone judge your appearance” yet spend money on changing their appearance.
1. More Screen Times
Many plastic surgeons believe that mobile phones, selfies, and social media platforms have greatly spurred the pursuit of plastic surgery.
If you think back even 10 years ago, let alone 25, you will rarely be able to see yourself in photographs. Maybe a birthday or a wedding, usually some special occasion. Now, thanks to mobile devices and platforms, we see literally hundreds if not thousands of our own photos documenting what we don’t like about our appearance and the aging process.
In other words, we are all now as if under constant surveillance of ourselves.
2. More acceptance and acceptance
Now, with the advent of social media, it looks like people are in rehab, talking about what they’ve been through and sending photos to friends that show their nose being bandaged, for example.
People are much more comfortable doing their own self-care rituals.
Since 2015, the total number of RealSelf posts and comments in the online domain has doubled. Users of the online community often post before and after photos and share candid details about their preferred treatment.
“Patients also come to me and ask me to be their Instagram friends, which we would never have seen 5 years ago,” Dr. Sahakyan said.
3. More accessibility
At some point in the recent past, cosmetic plastic surgery was only available to the rich.
Today, the most frequent patient in our clinic is usually “a working professional, often a double-income family or a housewife who now, after having children, wants to regain her former appearance,” says Dr. Sahakyan.
In other words, the stereotypical housewife “changes her face”. Cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, “have also become more accessible.” There are many financing options available today, from medical credit cards and personal loans to payment plans offered by doctors’ offices or clinics. Health insurance usually only covers cosmetic procedures for certain medical reasons, such as breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
4. More technological advancements
The technical procedures used in plastic surgery continue to become safer and more reliable. Physicians have now many tools and products at their disposal. Non-surgical treatment is a particularly fast growing area. “Lasers didn’t exist 10 years ago,” Sahakyan said.
5. More Health Benefits
So maybe plump lips don’t provide much health benefits other than boosting self-esteem. But “under certain circumstances, some cosmetic procedures can be good for your health,” Sahakyan said.
Women opting for breast reduction often find relief from disc or back problems. And plastic surgery allows people who have undergone weight loss surgery to get rid of excess skin, which can cause severe rashes and various infections.
“While we cannot treat cancer, the effects [of certain plastic procedures] and the psychological benefits can be very valuable,” Sahakyan said.
6. Higher self-esteem
According to a 2019 RealSelf/Harris survey, the top motivations for those who have received or are considering cosmetic treatment are to “improve self-esteem/confidence” and “look as good as I feel.” This is consistent with both surgical and non-surgical procedures, and these causes have not changed over the past decade.
“Despite all the changes in the technical aspects of aesthetic surgery, human desires and motives remain the same,” Dr. Sahakyan said. “We all want to present ourselves to the world from the best side: how we do it depends on who we are.”
Tips for those who are prone to plastic surgery
If you are considering a cosmetic treatment, make sure that:
Ask yourself: “Why?”
“And be honest,” Sahakyan advises. “Intervention should be a priority for you, and the main goal should be to make you feel better. Going into surgery to impress someone or make someone happy will never make you happy.”
Find a reliable doctor
Yes, you can go to a random doctor, but why not study doctors carefully first? Find and contact an experienced plastic surgeon who will prioritize your treatment. You can go to someone who can say, “This is better for you” rather than “This is better for me,” Sahakyan said. “Plastic surgeons are trained in the same way as cardiac surgeons.”
In addition to cosmetic procedures, many also perform complex procedures such as breast reconstruction and birth defects in children.
Be specific about how you want to be different
Don’t assume any surgeon knows what you mean by “better skin” or “smaller breasts”. “By understanding what you see and hoping to improve, the surgeon hopes to be able to tailor procedures that are safe and also fit your desired goals,” notes Dr. Sahakyan.
Be realistic
“Doctors strive to become better from the initial level, and not from the lack of perfection, and in general, plastic surgery is medicine, not magic,” concluded the plastic surgeon Dr Suren Sahakyan.
Editor: @plastic_surgery_armenia
