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What is Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic Surgery is a subspecialty of medicine and Surgery that uniquely restricts itself to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal. Cosmetic Surgery is a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach directed to all areas of the head, neck and body.

Special skill and knowledge are essential and specialists in Cosmetic Surgery are competent in the anatomy, physiology, pathology and basics sciences. The educational profile of this specialty is unique in that it begins with a fully trained and certified surgeon. Through continued post-residency education training, and experience, Cosmetic Surgery is taught and learned across traditional disciplinary boundaries. The subspecialty fully incorporates the participation and knowledge from all contributing disciplines to attain a high level of skill and understanding. Contributing disciplines include Dermatologic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Oculoplastic Surgery, Oral-maxillofacial Surgery and others.

The Cosmetic Surgeon offers specialized expertise in patient education and counseling, procedural skills, and the early recognition and treatment of complications. As a specialty, Cosmetic Surgeons have enhanced the knowledge and training of fellow physicians and directly benefited society through educational publications, scientific journals and in the development of safe and innovative techniques.

Competency in Cosmetic Surgery implies a combination of knowledge, surgical judgment, technical expertise and ethics in order to achieve the goal of providing aesthetic improvement.

What is the difference between Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery?
Plastic Surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Cosmetic Surgery is elective and meant to enhance one’s appearance and Plastic Surgery is necessary and reconstructive in nature.

How many people undergo Cosmetic Surgery each year?
According to AACS Statistics, nearly 870,000 Cosmetic Surgery procedures were performed in 2003, a 6.7% increase from 2002.

How many men have Cosmetic Surgery?
Over 89,000 cosmetic procedures are performed on men each year. And the number gets larger each year as men grow increasingly comfortable with the concept of Cosmetic Surgery for themselves.Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured.

What are the most popular procedures for men?
1. Botox
2. Hair Transplantation/Restoration
3. Chemical Peel
4. Microdermabrasion
5. Liposuction

At what age do most people have Cosmetic Surgery?
The average age of patients receiving Cosmetic Surgery is 41. Treatments such as Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Rhinoplasty and Dermabrasion are common among younger patients while procedures including Blepharoplasty, Breast Lift, Facelift and Botox are more commonly sought after by older patients

What is the current medical consensus regarding the safety of silicone Breast Implants?
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and other medical associations have put forth a great deal of research on the safety of silicone breast implants. Recently, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine came to the following conclusions based on new studies on silicone breast implant safety:There is no evidence suggesting silicone used for Breast Implants are toxic to humans.

There is no established link between implants and a unique disease syndrome. Problems ascribed to implants generally involve symptoms that are nonspecific and common to the general population.

Breast Cancer mortality is not higher in women who have implants. However, the presence of implants can make it difficult to detect cancer through mammography.

Women with Breast Implants are no more likely than the rest of the population to develop serious illnesses.

Is Botox dangerous?
Even though Botox is a formulation of botulinum toxin type A, it is sterilized and purified for medical applications. Since Botox treatments are a non-surgical procedure, the risks and possible complications are infrequent, minimal and temporary. The most common reported side-effects are headaches, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eye-lid droop, and nausea.

Is there a right age to undergo Plastic Surgery?
This depends on the procedure and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Certain reconstructive Surgery procedures have been performed on patients of all ages, while certain procedures are recommended for more mature patients. Consult with your Plastic surgeon to determine if you are a qualified candidate for the procedure you are considering.

Is Plastic Surgery dangerous?
There is always the risk of complications occurring during the operation and even after the operation. Each individual procedure has its share of risks. Complications can be reduced significantly by choosing the right doctor. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure you are considering, please share these feelings with your surgeon.

Do you need Anesthesia for Plastic Surgery?
Almost all Plastic Surgery procedures require some form of anesthesia. Check with your Plastic Surgeon as to which anesthesia he or she will use during your operation.

How many procedures can I have at the same time?
Multiple procedures are done at the surgeon’s discretion. Having multiple procedures performed at the same time is less expensive than having them performed individually. The benefit of doing multiple areas at one time is that you take advantage of the operating room. You have already paid for the anesthesia and hospital fees. Having the procedure performed separately means you have to pay for these expenses again. Also, doing all the procedures at one time can allow you to only have to take one vacation from work for recovery. However, there is increased risk of complications. For example, by having multiple procedures performed, the patient risks having a prolonged exposure to general anesthesia. Consult with your surgeon if you are considering having multiple procedures.