Your face – and body – tell the story of your life – the good, the bad, the successes and failures. You can't erase time, but many Americans have joined Hollywood's quest for perfection. Or at the very least, they're attempting to turn back the clock.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports 10 million cosmetic procedures in 2009, just a two percent drop from the previous year despite the recession. As the economy turns back, baby boomers and their offspring continue to explore surgical options to create a bigger (or smaller), better – and ultimately younger look.
Breast Augmentation
Women make up more than 90 percent of those going under the knife, and their most popular plastic surgery is breast augmentation. Just about half of breast procedures are done for purely cosmetic reasons. Decisions to be made with your doctor include implant shape (round or teardrop), surface (smooth or textured), size and volume (cup size), placement (above or below muscle) and incision area (armpit, areola, breast or belly button). A recent study followed up with women 10 years after their breast augmentation surgery and found that 96 percent of women with saline-filled implants stated they were satisfied and would make the same choice again. Surgeon fees for terrific tatas range from $3,500 to $5,600 and patients can expect one to two weeks of downtime.
With seven board-certified plastic surgeons, Gwinnett Medical Center offers a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures. "Patients come in for everything from liposuction to rhinoplasty to breast reconstruction and the list continues to expand," says Dr. David Whiteman, MD, chief of plastic surgery at GMC. "But as of now, no cosmetic procedure has surpassed breast augmentation in popularity just yet." Whiteman also noted that male breast reduction, the surgical correction of enlarged breasts – a condition that can affect men of any age, even teenage boys and athletes – is growing in popularity.
Liposuction
In the 35-50 crowd, lipo – fat removal in isolated areas like abdomen, arms or thighs – is the most popular cosmetic procedure. It's often an option to get rid of "love handles" and small areas of excess abdominal fat in women (and men too) that work out and lead a healthy lifestyle. It is not an option for obese patients desiring removal of a large area of fat. Surprisingly, lipo does not get rid of cellulite. Surgeon fees are $2,800 to $3,000. You'll be back to work in one to two weeks.
Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty is third in overall popularity among men and women, though it is the number one cosmetic surgery among 51-64 year olds. The procedure is generally performed on those with excess eyelid fat, wrinkled or drooping skin on the upper eyelids, and bags or puffiness under the eyes. Surgeon fees are approximately $2,700. Patients return to work within 10 days but results aren't seen until after a month or two.
Rhinoplasty
Is your nose too big or too wide? Wish the bridge or tip was just slightly different? Rhinoplasty ranks fourth on the list of top cosmetic surgery procedures. Your doctor will consider your entire face before performing the surgery, with chin size coming into play as well. Surgeon fees are about $4,500 and recovery is 7-10 days.
Tummy Tucks
Number five on the list of most common cosmetic surgeries is abdominoplasty. Best candidates are those close to their ideal weight but with protruding abdomens and weak abdominal muscles, usually the result of pregnancy. Save up, because tummy tucks are one of the most expensive procedures with surgeon fees beginning at $5,300. Down time is one to three weeks.
New Trends
"There is a common misconception that plastic surgery is only feasible for the wealthiest Americans," says GMC's Dr. Whiteman. "However, research shows that the largest group of people opting for cosmetic procedures are women in the middle class. Advancements in surgical techniques and less invasive surgical and non-surgical options, like Botox and Dysport injections, have made cosmetic enhancements very affordable for the average American."
Biggest Fears
Getting informed ahead of time is the best way to alleviate any fears you may have about cosmetic surgery. Talk to your doctor so you can set realistic expectations about results and your recovery period. Look at before and after photos of otherpatients. Be prepared at home with help, medical supplies and ice packs for the early days of your recovery.
"The key to overcoming your fears about a surgical procedure is making sure you choose the right physician," says Dr. Whiteman. "The right surgeon will walk through the procedure with you step-by-step and personally work with you to create a shared vision of the desired results, so that on the day of the procedure you are 100 percent confident going into the surgical room."
Finding a Doctor
Visit the American Board of Plastic Surgery's website at www.abms.org to find a surgeon in your area. You may also want to look for a doctor who specializes in the particular area of the body on which you want to have work. You can also phone local hospitals to ensure your doctor has had his/her credentials evaluated and has hospital privileges. If you are having surgery in an office-based facility, make sure it is accredited by a nationally or state recognized accrediting agency. For more info, call the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at 800-635-0635.
