Cosmetic Surgery - Types, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Cosmetic Surgery is a surgical procedure that is used to enhance a person’s external looks and appearance. It can be performed on any part of the body. Since the trend is becoming hugely popular, the days of cosmetic surgery being looked poorly upon are quickly coming to an end. With any surgery, there can be complications, and that is enough to scare anyone away.

Whenever someone agrees to tamper with their body, there are always risks and these days people don't mind taking that risk for a better form of themselves. According to a report from the Huffington Post, out of all the cosmetic surgery patients, 91% are women, and 9% are men. However, the number of male patients has increased by over 45% since the year 2000. While most women are interested in breast implants and rhinoplasty, men are more inclined towards liposuction, eyelid surgery, treatment for male breasts, and even treatment for protruding ears.

Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are two different things the main aim of the cosmetic surgery is to enhance the beauty of the person while the main aim of plastic surgery is to set the defects of the person so that the body part starts to function properly. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on the head and neck including all the parts of the body while plastic surgery is performed to reconstructs the natural flaws or any injury due to accident or trauma. Cosmetic surgery is the voluntary choice of the person while plastic surgery is done when there is a need to bring back the body part in the original form.

The most common form of cosmetic surgeries are as follows: Dermabrasion, Breast augmentation, Hair transplant, Facelift, Lip augmentation, Tummy tuck, Liposuction.

These are the surgeries which are included in cosmetic surgery:

Breast surgery:

• Breast augmentation: This surgery is sought by women to improve the structure of the body. This surgery is done if the size of the breast is too small or both are of different sizes. In this surgery, the size of the breast is enlarged using silicone gel prosthetics or saline and nowadays fat grafting is also done but occasionally.
• Breast reduction: It can provide physical comfort and on the other hand the risk of breast cancer is also reduced in women who are at high risk.
• Mastopexy: The glandular tissue or the skin is removed to make the breast look smaller and other tissues are rearranged to make the breast look uplifted. Sometimes mastopexy can also be combined with an implant.
• Male breast reduction: when there is enlargement of mammary tissues in the males it is also treated.

Liposuction:

Liposuction: This is done to vacuum fat from different parts of the body like thighs, abdomen, hips, buttocks, neck. In this hollow metal tubes or thin cannulas are used for vacuuming the fat. Liposuction can also be used for reducing the size of male breasts. But liposuction does not help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes or heart diseases.

Body procedures:

Tummy tuck: It is also known as abdominoplasty and is done to improve the shape of the tummy or abdomen. It improves the appearance of loose or sagging skin but the stretch marks cannot be removed.

Body contouring procedures:

Buttock augmentation: It is done to increase the size of the buttocks. In this, the fat is grafted from other parts of the body through liposuction and is also called ‘Brazillian But lift” Occasionally the silicon transplant can also be used.

Facial cosmetic surgery:

• Blepharoplasty: This is also known as eyelid surgery and the main aim is to reshape the eyelids which have drooped down. This surgery has different procedures like functional and cosmetic and at times both can be done.
• Rhinoplasty: This is done to reshape the nose of the person also known as a nose job. This is often done to improve breathing if there is any problem. This involves reshaping the tip of the nose and the bony hump is also reduced.
• Otoplasty: this is also known as ear surgery and is done to treat the shape of the ears if they are misshapen. In this, the surgery of one or both the ear is done and children under the age of 5-6 are treated.
• Rhytidectomy: IT is also called facelift and is done to remove the wrinkles surgically and achieve more beautiful, tight and most youthful skin.
• Browplasty: also known as a brow lift or forehead lift and the main aim is to lift up the brows which have drooped down due to ageing. Wrinkles or worry lines from the forehead are also removed to achieve pleasant facial appearance.
• Chin augmentation: It is done to make balance the facial features and make the chin more prominent. The procedure of the surgery is the same as rhinoplasty.
• Cheek augmentation: It is done for making the cheekbones prominent and it is implanted upper the cheekbone by the surgeon.

Peels, fillers, grafts, and laser treatment

• Chemical peel: This is done to heal acne, scars, pockmarks, and wrinkles. The outer layer of the skin is treated by using light or superficial peel which uses Alpha Hydroxy Acids known as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids. The treatment is not very deep hence the time of recovery is minimal.
• Botox: This is a kind of botox surgery whose main aim is to improve the appearance by removing wrinkles and creases of the face. The other name for Botox is botulinum toxin.
• Dermabrasion: It is done to soften the upper layer of the skin by removing the old skin and replacing it with new skin which heels the area and results in smoother looking skin.
• Hair transplant: It is done for the restoration of hair to improve baldness. The procedure involves removing hair from an area which has thick air growth and then placed to the bald area.
• Vulvovaginal surgery: This is done to tighten up the vagina which has become loose due to childbirth or ageing. The vaginal tissues get stretched thus, labiaplasty or are done of the lips which surround the vagina. But this surgery changes the size of labia by correcting their symmetry.

The targeted areas are marked and highlighted on the body while the candidate is in a standing position. Sometimes photos are also taken of the area to be operated so that the patient will have before and after pictures. In the operating room, a sterilizing antiseptic solution, such as Betadine, is applied to the relevant areas. Local, intravenous anesthetic is injected, and the patient may also be given a sedative, either orally or through an IV injection. The incisions are small, about a quarter to a third of an inch. The patient is given an Intravenous Fluid line since he or she will be losing a lot of fluid with the fat and the fluid balance has to be kept intact.

Monitoring devices are attached to the body to keep track of the blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen level. The patient will feel a little scraping or rasping sensation from the cannula movement. Usually, the patient can walk around, and even go home the same day if he or she did not receive general anesthesia, though they would need someone else to drive them home.

Senior people are lining up for facelifts, laser skin resurfacing and blepharoplasty. The doctor takes into account the patient’s particular circumstances, including age, before approving for cosmetic surgery. Older people who undergo cosmetic surgery may not look 20 years younger but most certainly they will look youthful.

Cosmetic surgery is safe or not depends upon the health conditions of the people like if a person has diabetes, malnutrition, etc. then the surgery can be risky for them. During cosmetic surgery, there can be a problem in creating as tampering is done with the body parts.

As with any operation, there are certain risks, beyond the temporary and minor effects. Side effects are more pronounced when the treated areas are very large or numerous, and a large amount of fat has to be removed. Some common side effects of cosmetic surgery are Allergic reaction to materials used during surgery, Infection due to surgery, Damage to the skin, Skin necrosis , Puncture of an internal organ during surgery, Contour irregularities, Burns, and Fluid imbalance.

The disadvantages of cosmetic surgery depend upon the area on which it is being done. If the person misuses or overuses it then there can be disadvantages like excessive bleeding, bruising, or scarring. It can also affect the health of the person and there can be side effects like numbness, swelling, pain, or there can also be limited mobility.

During the recovery, candidates should allow for adequate healing time and expect some swelling, numbness, and even skin discolouration for about two weeks. All the incisions and dressings should be kept dry until the surgeon indicates that showering is okay. For the first few weeks, the head should remain elevated and immobile to minimize swelling.

Most stitches are removed in about five days, and the initial cosmetic surgery results will be apparent soon afterwards. Strenuous exercise and housework and sexual activity should be strictly avoided for at least a period of two weeks after surgery. Alcohol, saunas and steam rooms should also be avoided for several months. During the cosmetic recovery period, extra rest is essential to promote proper healing.

Depending on the area of ​​surgery, patients can return to work between two days to two weeks. If any pain arises, it is controlled by a doctor's prescription or over-the-counter medicine, which can last up to two weeks. Whereas after a few days of an injury, Numbness can last for several weeks. While Inflammation or fade decreases between two weeks to two months. Normal activity can be restarted several days to several weeks depending on the process. Results appear one to six months after surgery. However, noticeable intervals can be seen within weeks because swelling decreases.

Best time to get cosmetic surgery as follows:

Mid-December to March :

• Facelift
• Rhinoplasty
• Browlift
• Blepharoplasty
• Liposuction
• Tummy tuck
• Breast surgery
• Laser resurfacing

April to June :

• Facial surgery
• Body contouring

July to August

• Botox
• Fillers

September to early December

• Face and nose surgery
• Breast surgery
• Body contouring

Cosmetic surgery has its downsides. The most unappealing aspect of cosmetic surgery is the cost of the procedure.

• The average cost of breast augmentation in India is ₹ 275,328.
• The average cost of liposuction in India is ₹ 253,296.
• The average cost of tummy tuck surgery in India is ₹ 450,216.
• The average cost of buttock augmentation surgery in India is ₹ 310,608.
• The average cost of blepharoplasty surgery in India is ₹ 217,872.
• The average cost of rhinoplasty surgery in India is ₹ 385,200.
• The average cost of otoplasty surgery in India is ₹ 227,232.
• The average cost of rhytidectomy surgery in India is 536,256 INR
• The average cost of browplasty surgery in India is ₹ 158,400.
• The average cost of chin augmentation in India ranges from ₹ 216,000 to ₹ 360,000.
• The average cost of cheek augmentation in India is ₹ 216,000.
• The average cost of chemical peels in India is ₹ 432,000.
• The average cost of botox surgery in India is ₹ 27,072.
• The average cost of dermabrasion in India is ₹ 89,928.
• The average cost of hair transplant in India varies from ₹ 77000 to ₹ 2,310,000.
• The average cost of vulvovaginal surgery in India is ₹ 210,528.

The results of cosmetic surgery are permanent except in the case of liposuction where if the patient does not maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen, the remaining fat cell neighbours could still enlarge.

Cosmetic surgery is expensive may not be affordable to everyone. However, there is good news. For those who are not very happy with their looks and would like to go for an enhancement to their outward appearance, there are quite a few alternatives to cosmetic surgery. Anti-aging cosmetic creams and powders and electrical skin stimulation as alternatives for enhancement of skin, Quantum treatment as an alternative for breast enlargement, Pulsed ultrasound-assisted liposuction technique as an alternative to liposuction are a few. Apart from these, you can resort to natural remedies as well.