Thanks to the internet, we all have a world of information at our fingertips. Unfortunately, not all of that information is accurate. This is true for plastic surgery as much as any other topic. There are a number of myths and misconceptions that persist about plastic surgery, from who signs up for cosmetic procedures to what recovery looks like. The Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis are dedicated to keeping our patients informed. We want you to have all the facts you need to feel confident about your decisions regarding plastic surgery. Keep reading below to learn the truth behind 10 myths about plastic surgery that still make their way into the headlines from time to time.
Myth #1 – Plastic surgery is only for women
Although women do make up the majority of plastic surgery patients, male patients currently represent about 15% of the total number of patients undergoing cosmetic surgery, and that number has been on a steady rise over the last decade. More men than ever before are seeking access to non-surgical procedures like Botox, neurotoxin, or fillers to rejuvenate their appearance. Men of all ages are also growing more comfortable with surgical procedures such as liposuction, rhinoplasty, and gynecomastia, which is the treatment of enlarged congenital breasts.
Myth #2 – Only the wealthy can afford plastic surgery
Several surveys have shown that the vast majority of patients undergoing plastic surgery are actually middle-class individuals who use their own disposable income, or who use the many flexible financing options available. Furthermore, many non-surgical procedures such as the injection of Botox and the use of fillers like Juvéderm are surprisingly cost-effective. In many cases, these types of procedures are comparable to a day at the salon or spa. The Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis proudly accepts the CareCredit credit card to help you finance your healthcare needs. CareCredit makes the health, wellness, and beauty treatments you want possible today with special financing options.
Myth #3 – Patients shouldn’t get plastic surgery until they’re older
Waiting until senior citizen status kicks in to schedule plastic surgery can dramatically — and sometimes negatively — change the nature of the surgical result. Older patients may find that the look they want would require the skin to be pulled extremely tight in order to achieve contour improvements that could have been maintained much more easily if the procedure had been performed at a younger age. By undertaking less drastic procedures at an earlier age, results may be maintained longer and will often appear more natural and in line with the patient’s overall appearance.
Myth #4 – Plastic surgery is only for people overly concerned with image
Of course part of plastic surgery is wanting to improve your cosmetic appearance. However, it doesn’t stop there. Many patient satisfaction surveys and quality of life studies have shown that the majority of patients enjoy genuine improvements in body image as well as a greater satisfaction with their overall life after cosmetic surgery. It’s actually that improved quality of life, rather than vanity, that is the main factor in a patient deciding on a plastic surgery procedure.
Myth #5 – Plastic surgery requires a long period of painful recovery
The advances in surgical technique, anesthesia methods, and pain control in recent years means that for many patients, there is no marked downtime associated with recovering from general anesthesia. Patients are often able to get back into their daily routines much more quickly than ever before. Of course, surgical healing will always take time, but the majority of patients can expect to return to normal activities in just a few weeks.
Myth #6 – Breast augmentation is dangerous
Implants have been extensively tested and studied over the years. In fact, they are among the most studied medical devices of all time! For many years, silicone breast implants were the preferred implant, due to their design and longevity. Following some complaints about ruptured implants, they were taken off the market. But in November of 2006, the FDA determined that the complaints against silicone implants had little medical evidence to support them, and re-approved silicone implants for use in breast augmentation surgery in the US. Our implants are FDA-approved, and the risk of rupture is 0.7 to 1% per year for the age of the implant. Ruptures are not an emergency and newer silicone implants have cohesive silicone that does not run like a liquid but stays in place. While no surgical procedure is without risks, the potential complications of breast augmentation surgery have been very clearly defined and mapped out over the years. Breast augmentation has been the most common cosmetic operation in the US since 2008.
Myth #7 – Botox is a dangerous toxin
Yes, Botox is derived from a toxin that is secreted by a particular bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. The dose level of Botox treatments is minimal, and it actually has one of the best safety profiles of any medicine that has ever been developed. However, Botox has rare complications when injected in appropriate doses by an experienced injector.
Myth #8 – You will regain fat or the fat will grow back after liposuction
This myth began making the rounds after one very small study showed that some patients regained fat within one year of their procedure. There have been numerous larger studies since then that have refuted this data. While remaining fat cells can grow larger if you gain weight in the future, the liposuction procedure physically removes fat cells from the body, and these cells will not grow back. Patients who have liposuction then continue to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly after they recover from surgery will typically experience long-lasting results. Liposuction generally boasts high patient satisfaction rates.
Myth #9 – You can always tell when someone has had plastic surgery
We’ve all seen extreme cases in the media, but our plastic surgeons will aim to give you a natural result that fits your unique features and is not immediately obvious. After all, the mark of great plastic surgery is that you can’t tell the person has had plastic surgery! Millions of men and women have plastic surgery procedures every year. Chances are you know at least one.
Myth #10 – Diet and exercise can deliver the same results as plastic surgery
It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle for a number of reasons, and this includes eating a varied diet, getting regular exercise, and using sunscreen. We encourage all of our patients to pay attention to their nutrition and physical activity. But when it comes to normal aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight loss, etc., there is only so much diet and exercise can do. For patients who aren’t seeing the results they want even with a healthy lifestyle, plastic surgery can be an excellent option. We have a number of procedures that can address problem areas and give patients the silhouette or appearance they desire.
Get reliable, factual information that can change your life from Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis
For more facts about the plastic surgery procedures we offer, and how they can change your life for the better, we invite you to contact our Memphis office to schedule a consultation with one of our many experienced plastic surgeons. We provide individualized care and attention to every patient we see, and would be happy to walk you through whatever procedure you are considering.