Plastic surgery is very common and widespread. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2015 annual report, there were 15.9 million cosmetic procedures and 5.8 million reconstructive procedures performed that year.
Is There a Difference Between Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery?
Yes. Cosmetic surgery is done to improve the patient’s appearance, while reconstructive surgery is done to repair damage caused by congenital defects, injury or illness. Reconstructive surgery can give a patient normal function and/or something close to a normal appearance.
Examples of popular cosmetic procedures include breast augmentation, body lifts and a mommy makeover. Examples of common reconstructive procedures include scar revision and breast reconstruction.
Since reconstructive surgery is generally considered necessary for the patient’s health, insurance companies tend to cover it. They will not cover cosmetic surgery, for they consider that elective surgery.
Can a Person Get Too Much Plastic Surgery?
It depends. Some procedures, like breast reductions, are essentially one-offs. The patient gets the procedure and enjoys the results for the rest of their lives. Procedures of this type are generally not addictive.
The procedures that can lead to addictive behavior either have temporary results and/or are used to try to reverse aging. Injectable fillers are particularly overused, for the effects last only a few months. However, our team always makes sure to only perform procedures under the right circumstances.
Is There an Age Limit?
One of the main limiting factors is the elasticity of the skin. As a person gets older, their skin gets less and less elastic, and that means it is more likely to sag. This can cause problems in procedures like facelifts. However, it all depends on the unique situation and the client’s goals.
What are the Most Common Types of Cosmetic Surgery?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2015 annual report, the five most common types of cosmetic surgery in women were breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping and a tummy tuck. Since women made up 92 percent of the clients of cosmetic surgery in 2015, those five procedures were the most common overall. Men were most likely to undergo nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, breast reduction, liposuction and facelifts.
Who is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
A good candidate for plastic surgery will be a patient with good overall health and realistic expectations. Before undergoing surgery, the patient will discuss their medical history with our experienced surgeon. They will also need to have their health assessed.
If you are interested in breast augmentation or another type of plastic surgery procedure, make an appointment at the Plastic and Cosmetic Center of South Texas in San Antonio. Contact our San Antonio office today to schedule a consultation!
