| Cosmetic
Plastic Surgery Overview What is cosmetic plastic surgery?
Cosmetic plastic surgery is performed in order to change one's appearance. For some it may
mean redesigning the body's contour and shape, the elimination of wrinkles, or eliminating
balding areas. Others may choose varicose vein treatment or breast augmentation. There are
a number of cosmetic surgery procedures that men and women can choose from in order to
create an image that makes them feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance.
Although health insurance rarely covers the cost of cosmetic procedures, the number of
individuals deciding to undergo cosmetic plastic surgery continues to grow. An estimated 1
million cosmetic procedures were performed in 1998 -- a 50 percent increase from the year
before.
And it is not just women who are opting to enhance their appearance through surgery.
Statistics show that the number of men having liposuction -- the removal of fatty tissue
-- has tripled since 1992. In addition, the number of men having facelifts has almost
doubled.
What are the most common plastic
surgery procedures?
The most common cosmetic procedures are listed here by their common or descriptive names.
The medical term for the procedure is enclosed in parentheses.
- breast augmentation or enlargement (augmentation mammaplasty)
- chin, cheek, or jaw reshaping (facial implants or
soft tissue augmentation)
- eye lid lift (blepharoplasty)
- hair replacement/transplantation
- nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
- tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
- spider and varicose vein treatment (sclerotherapy)
- breast reduction(mastopexy or reduction
mammoplasty)
- plumping / collagen or fat injections (facial rejuvenation)
Click here to view the
Online Resources page of this web. |
