Term Paper on "Cosmetic Surgery Facts Mistakes Complications"

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[EXCERPT] . . . .

Cosmetic Surgery: Facts, Mistakes & Complications

Cosmetic Surgery Facts

Surgeons

Cosmetic Surgery involves a broad range of surgical procedures to improve personal appearance involving complicated as well as simple surgeries; hence it is legal in the United States for any qualified physician to perform cosmetic surgery. However, a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), is most suited for performing cosmetic surgery, particularly for procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, or breast augmentation. Facial plastic surgery may be performed by an ABPS board certified plastic surgeon or an Otolaryngologist (also known as ENT, Ear Nose & Throat specialist) who is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. ("Avoid Bad Plastic Surgery," 2007)

Patients

Almost anyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery as is reflected in the large numbers of such surgeries being currently performed. Statistics released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) show that in the United States alone, 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures were performed in 2005, which is a staggering 444% increase in the overall number of cosmetic procedures since 1997. ("Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research," 2006). At the same time, people with health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, heart disease, high cholesterol, arthritis, and emphysema, or those who are malnourished, severely depressed, obese and/or smokers are not generally good candidates for cosmetic surgery. On the other hand, good candidates for cosmetic surgery are those who are close (within 30%) to their ideal weight, are non-smokers, emotionally stable, exhibit low stress, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. ("Who is a Good Candidate?" n.d.)

Since women are usually much more concerned about their physical appearance as compared to men, statistics show that most cosmetic surgeries are requested by women. For example, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), 91% of all cosmetic procedures carried out in 2005 in the United States were performed on women while only 9% were carried out on men. ("Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research," 2006)

Reasons for Cosmetic Surgery

Reasons for carrying out cosmetic surgery vary considerably as each individual may have his/her own deeply personal reason for deciding to change their appearance. However, majority of people undergo cosmetic surgery to look younger or to change a physical feature of their body they do not like.

The need to look younger is not a new phenomenon. Human beings in most societies have always strived to look younger and have resorted to efforts such as dyeing their grey hair to drive away the years since ages. The present day Western society has become even more youth worshipping than before. The ageing baby boomer population in most Western nations including the United States is more health-conscious than earlier generations and has a greater need for wanting to look younger in a "youth-worshipping" culture. The advancement in medical technology in recent times and the increase in disposal incomes has made it possible for more people to choose cosmetic surgery as an option. The media, too, has contributed to the upsurge in cosmetic surgery as more and more TV programs, fashion magazines, and websites advertise the virtues of and impart information about cosmetic surgery.

Most people who undergo cosmetic surgery expect to achieve greater self-confidence and a sense of well-being as a result of the procedure. Some achieve their objective, while others are disappointed because cosmetic surgery is not a "cure-all" for psychological problems. This is mainly because some people choose cosmetic surgery for the wrong reasons and have unrealistic expectations. The "wrong reasons" can be the expectation to overcome a personal problem such as serious difficulties in marriage, expecting the surgery to change one's life, or wanting to look like another person by altering one's appearance. The "right reasons" for seeking cosmetic surgery are self-motivation, i.e., doing it for oneself rather than for someone else, and having a realistic expectation from the procedure. (Grayson, 2003)

Another major reason for the increasing trend towards cosmetic surgery is the intense competition in the business world and the bias against older people in the workplace: the widespread perception that an older person is less updated and less efficient in getting a job done. Hence, more and more people, including men have started to turn to cosmetic surgery in an effort to remain young-looking. Moreover, a more stressful lifestyle often leads to eating disorders resulting in obesity. Cosmetic surgical procedures such as liposuction are, therefore, being increasingly used to fight obesity.

Procedures

There are a vast number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures being performed currently. While a majority of the surgical procedures is requested by women, cosmetic surgery is rapidly gaining popularity among men as well.

Five Cosmetic Surgeries for Men

The top five cosmetic surgeries for men are: liposuction, rhinoplasty, eye-lid surgery, male breast reduction, and facelift.

1. Liposuction: Liposuction is the number one cosmetic surgery procedure for men. According to the ASAPS, a total of 52,543 liposuction procedures were performed in the U.S. On men in 2005 ("Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research," 2006).

Although it is possible to remove fat from almost any area of the body through this procedure, the three most popular areas for liposuction in men are the neck, abdomen and loin (love handle area). The fat beneath the skin has two layers: deep and superficial. The deep layer can be removed using the traditional liposuction technique, while the superficial layer, which is denser and contained within pockets of fibrous bands, is difficult to remove with traditional liposuction. Removal of the superficial layer is usually done with ultrasonic liposuction. (Levine, n.d.)

2. Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is the second most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed on men and the ASAPS statistics reveal that a total of 45,945 such procedures were performed on men in the U.S. during 2005 ("Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research," 2006). The surgery involves reshaping of the nose by reducing or increasing size, removing hump, changing shape of tip or bridge, narrowing span of nostrils, or changing angle between nose and upper lip. ("Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures at a Glance," 2007) There is not much difference between the rhinoplasty procedures for men and women, except that in harmony with the facial features of men, it is generally preferable to have a stronger, slightly longer nose.

3. Blepharoplasy (Eye-lid Surgery): It is the third most frequent cosmetic surgery in men with 33,369 such procedures being performed in the U.S. In 2005. ("Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research," 2006) the procedure involves correction of drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle. There is not much difference between blepharoplasy performed for men and women and the removal of saggy eyelids and puffiness underneath the eyes significantly reduces a prominent visible effect of aging.

4. Male Breast Reduction (or Gynecomastia): The 4th most popular cosmetic surgery for men with 17,730 procedures performed in the U.S. In 2005 (Ibid). It involves the reduction of enlarged, female-like breast in men using liposuction and/or cutting out excess glandular tissue. ("Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures at a Glance," 2007)

5. Facelift (Rhytidectomy): It is the 5th most popular cosmetic procedure for men, performed 13,041 times in the U.S. during 2005 ("Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research," 2006). The Facelift procedure smoothes out the loose skin on the face and neck, tightens underlying tissues, and removes excess fat. As a result, the skin appears firmer and fresher.

Five Cosmetic Surgeries for Women

The top five cosmetic surgeries for women are: liposuction, breast augmentation, eye-lid surgery, tummy tuck, and breast reduction.

1. Liposuction: Just as for men, liposuction is also the number one cosmetic surgery procedure among women. According to AASPS, as many as 402,946 liposuctions were performed in the U.S. On women in 2005. The liposuction procedure is similar in men and women except that women generally have softer, less fibrous fat than men and it is easier to perform the procedure on them. Also the fat deposits in women are concentrated mainly on the hips, buttocks and upper thighs.

2. Breast Augmentation: The 2nd most common cosmetic surgery in women was performed 364,610 times during 2005 in the U.S. ("Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research," 2006). The procedure is, understandably, peculiar to women enhancement in the size of breasts using inflatable implants filled with silicone gel or saline.

3. Eye-lid Surgery (Blepharoplasy): ASAPS data shows that eye-lid surgery was performed 198,099 times in women across the U.S. In 2005. The procedure is similar in men and women, i.e., involves correction of drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle.

4. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): The 4th most popular cosmetic surgery in women was performed 164,073 times in the U.S. In 2005 (Ibid). Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure involving removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to… READ MORE

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