Submitted by Twin City Plastic Surgery
Just mention plastic surgery and people are curious. In the age of quick information and social media, opinions and knowledge about plastic surgical procedures is widely available, but oftentimes leaves people confused and overwhelmed. Even the term “plastic surgery” is somewhat misleading. The question asked frequently in our office is “what does plastic surgery mean?” The answer: “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos” which means “to shape or to mold.” As plastic surgeons, we are shaping and molding areas of the body. Our training focuses on three distinct areas: reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, and hand surgery. Many plastic surgeons go on to create a niche in what is otherwise a vast specialty. Some focus strictly on cosmetic surgery while others have a practice that balances cosmetic with reconstructive surgery.
Almost everyone has areas of their bodies that they think could use some improvement, and one way to do that is to undergo cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. The term cosmetic surgery includes surgical procedures such as facelifts, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), as well as such non-surgical procedures such as BOTOX, facial fillers, and facial chemical peels. Reconstructive surgery can include cancer reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy, excisions of skin lesions (benign and cancerous), reconstruction after burns or trauma, hand surgery, and reconstruction of congenital malformations.
How common is plastic surgery? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 15.9 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2015, a 2 percent increase over 2014. Since 2000, overall procedures have risen 115 percent, but the types of procedures patients are choosing are changing.
More patients are choosing procedures like upper-arm lifts, and for the first time, facelifts aren’t even in the top five — being knocked out by tummy tucks.
The top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2015 were:
- Breast augmentation (down 2 percent from 2014, up 31 percent from 2000)
- Liposuction (up 5 percent from 2014, but down 37 percent from 2000)
- Nose reshaping (unchanged from 2014, down 44 percent since 2000)
- Eyelid surgery (down 1 percent from 2014, down 38 percent since 2000)
- Tummy tuck (up 9 percent from 2014 and 104 percent since 2000)
Although not in the top 5, it is interesting to note that men account for more than 40 percent of breast reduction surgeries.
The top five cosmetic non-invasive procedures in 2015 were:
- BOTOX (up 1 percent from 2014 and 759 percent since 2000)
- Soft Tissue Fillers (up 6 percent from 2014 and 274 percent since 2000)
- Chemical Peel (up 5 percent from 2014 and 14 percent since 2000)
- Laser hair removal (unchanged from 2014, but up 52 percent since 2000)
- Microdermabrasion (down 9 percent from 2014 and 8 percent since 2000)
Plastic surgery is clearly a widespread practice and will likely continue to increase in popularity. In fact, most people know someone who has undergone some type of cosmetic or reconstructive procedure. If you are pondering the idea of a plastic surgery procedure, the first step is to choose a plastic surgeon. Make sure to do your research, and do not even consider someone who is not certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). You may want to ask people that you know and trust which doctor they would recommend as plastic surgery is definitely a very personal decision, and receiving feedback from friends and family is sometimes key when it comes to making a final decision.
Once you have decided on a plastic surgeon, schedule an appointment to discuss your options and expectations. A plastic surgeon should not try to “sell” you something that isn’t possible for you. People should realize that everyone is different, and different body types and skin types will often yield different results. If you decide to go ahead with surgery, your plastic surgeon will give you detailed instructions about how to take care of yourself before and after the procedure.
Before you go ahead with cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, do your research, set realistic expectations, and find a doctor you trust to explain the options available for you. Our field is vast, exciting, and ever changing. We welcome questions and enjoy educating our community on the benefits of plastic surgery.
Board-certified plastic surgeons Laura C. Randolph, Chad Tattini, and Paige Holt, along with their professional and compassionate staff, comprise Twin City Plastic Surgery. Their office is located in Bloomington at 2502 East Empire Street, Suite C, one mile east of Veterans Parkway. For more information or to schedule an appointment, you may call 309-662-6772 or visit them online at www.twincityplasticsurgery.com