Cosmetic procedures are becoming increasingly popular, driven in part by societal beauty standards, their increasing affordability, and technological advances that have made them safer.
However, although cosmetic procedures can boost confidence for many people, they can result in life-altering consequences without the proper safety precautions. While all procedures carry rare risks, in this article, we’ll run through the safety concerns associated with three of the most common cosmetic treatments and the steps you can take to mitigate them.
Breast Augmentation
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Breast augmentation is by far the most popular cosmetic surgery among women and is therefore widely considered a safe surgery. However, some problems that can arise from breast implants include capsular contracture (where the scar tissue hardens around the implant, which can lead to pain and discomfort); the implants rupturing and rotating (which can cause pain and change the breast shape); nerve issues around the nipples.
Due to many of these issues, most women will have their implants removed or replaced in 10-15 years. If you are considering getting breast implants, it is unlikely that your health will be impacted, as implants can easily be removed.
However, there is another method of augmenting your breasts that avoids many of the risks associated with implants. Fat transfer uses your own fat, extracted through liposuction, and injects it into your breasts for more volume. As you’re using your own fat tissue, the volume added will remain in your body permanently and avoids the risk of an allergic reaction.
Yet, implants remain the more popular option as they can add significantly more volume than fat transfer. Where fat transfer can enhance your breasts by roughly one cup size, implants can add as much as five times that volume.
Blepharoplasty
Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is a surgery that removes excess skin and fat from either or both the upper and lower eyelid. Not only can the procedure make you look younger and more awake, but it can also help some patients regain their peripheral vision if it was impeded by sagging skin.
Needless to say, operating around the eyes requires a great deal of surgical precision, as the slightest error could result in noticeable scarring, asymmetry, or more serious medical complications such as injury to eye muscles. However, if you choose a facial plastic surgeon specializing in blepharoplasties specifically, these complications are extremely rare.
Nevertheless, if you are nervous about the risks you will have to take when undergoing blepharoplasty surgery, you may want to explore the non-invasive options available to you. For instance, laser skin resurfacing, botox, and dermal fillers can address loose skin, wrinkles, and the hollowness around your eyes. Although they are not as effective as blepharoplasty, they may be able to provide a satisfactory result without the hassle and risks involved with having to go under the knife.
Abdominoplasty
Also known as a tummy tuck, an abdominoplasty is a surgery that removes the excess skin and fat from your abdomen and, if needed, can also tighten your abdominal muscles to improve your core strength. Like most cosmetic surgeries performed by board-certified plastic surgeons, a tummy tuck is considered a safe procedure with a wide range of benefits. A tummy tuck will contour your body by getting rid of loose skin, which can dramatically tone your body if you’ve experienced dramatic weight loss or gone through a pregnancy. It can also provide several medical benefits, including improving your posture and alleviating back pain.
However, like all surgeries, it carries rare risks, including prominent scarring, infections, and blood clots. Therefore, you may want to consider the several less invasive procedures that are available to you. For instance, BodyTite is a minimally invasive procedure that can remove small fat pockets in your abdomen and tighten the skin in the area using radiofrequency energy. It can be performed under local anesthesia and involves tiny incisions through which the surgeon will insert a probe for extracting the fat. Or, if you want to tighten your abdominal muscles without tightening the skin, you may want to seek a surgeon who performs endoscopic tummy tucks. Also known as a scarless tummy tuck, this procedure requires a tiny incision through which the surgeon will insert an endoscope to repair the abdominal muscles.
While cosmetic surgery may be the right option for you, it’s essential to do your research and explore all your options. If you’re considering any of the above procedures, be sure to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who will inform you of the procedure and the associated risks in depth.
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
