Plastic Surgery For The Body

Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are growing in popularity. Although women still make up the majority of cosmetic surgery patients, men are opting for cosmetic procedures more and more. And body sculpting is an area that is growing the most. If you've decided cosmetic surgery for the body is the right option for you, there are things to keep in mind. First, you must choose a good plastic surgeon.
It's very important to seek a qualified surgeon before considering any body contouring surgery. There are board certified plastic surgeons, affiliated with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). ASPS says its surgeons must be trained and experienced in a variety of plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction. Talk to your doctor about scarring, because some surgeries such as tummy tucks can leave scars. Also talk to the surgeon about risks and side effects. Potential risks include infection and anesthesia concerns. Make sure your surgery will be done in an accredited medical facility. Look for before and after photos of patients who have had what you're thinking about getting. Don't pick a cosmetic surgeon simply because there's a cheap price or special. You'll have to live with this for the rest of your life and you want someone who is the best, not just the cheapest. Do ask about price, though, since you will have to pay for this yourself - it's usually not covered by insurance.
You also need to learn everything you can about the cosmetic procedure you are considering - their advantages and disadvantages. There are a number of different types of body contouring surgeries, for all parts of the body. Some work on the skin, others the fat or muscles. Some procedures can be combined. Here are some of the more popular ones:
Breast Augmentation - this enlarges the size of the breasts using implants, made of silicone or saline. Breast augmentation is one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in terms of popularity. There is also a procedure called a mastopexy or breast lift which can lift breasts without increasing size. Sometimes both procedures are done at the same time. Finally, there is breast reduction which is designed to make large breasts smaller and more proportional. Men can have this procedure as well.
Liposuction - this is a cosmetic procedure that removes fat in specific areas. Liposuction (also sometimes called liposculpture) has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures, with nearly half a million operations performed yearly in United States. Sometimes liposuction is combined with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck. Tumescent liposuction is a type of liposuction in which large amounts of diluted anesthetic and epinephrine are injected into the fat.
Abdominoplasty - this is what most people call a tummy tuck. It tightens muscles, and gets rid of excess skin and fat. There are full abdominoplasties and there are also mini-tummy tucks which deal with just the skin above the belly button. Tummy tucks can help with sagging skin that results from weight, pregnancy, aging or other causes.
Butt lift - this tightens up the rear end. Sometimes a buttock lift is combined with augmentation, which uses implants.
Thigh Lift - this is cosmetic surgery to get rid of excess skin in the thighs and hips. If you've lost a lot of weight, and have sagging skin as a result, this can be an option.
Arm lift - this is also called brachioplasty and it is designed to tighten the upper arm. It can remove excess tissue and make the upper arm smaller in diameter. An arm lift can also correct skin that flaps or hangs when you lift your arms.
These are just some of the popular plastic surgeries for the body. Cosmetic surgery is not for everyone, but if you are thinking about it, make sure your get all the facts first.
For more information on tumescent liposuction and how it can help reduce fat deposits, see Liposuction and Liposculpture.
For more information on cosmetic surgery for the body, including tummy tucks, butt and thigh lifts, arm lists and more, see Body Cosmetic Surgery.
http://www.healthyu-skin.org is dedicated to providing information on all kinds of skin care issues.
By Ed Nichols