Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic surgery is not just for rich and famous. Nowadays more people than ever are choosing to alter their appearance, giving them the confidence and self-esteem they never had. With cosmetic surgery on the rise, we look at the five most popular treatments in the UK and what they entail with advances in modern technology:
Eyelid surgery
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reports a double-digit increase in the number of anti-ageing procedures carried out last year, and eyelid surgery is the first of two such procedures on our top five list. Around the eyelids, our muscles loosen and our skin loses its elasticity with age. Consequently we see a build-up of loose skin collecting as folds on the upper lids, and forming deep creases in the lower lids. The loosening of muscles also gives the common appearance of bagginess in the lower lids. Eyelid surgery works by removing the excess skin from the upper eyelids, and reducing bagginess from the lower eyelids. The operation takes about one to two hours and is usually performed under general anaesthetic, often as a day-case. The results can make people look significantly younger and less tired.
Face/neck lift
Aging can cause sagging and deep creases on the face, and excess fatty deposits coupled with loose skin under the jaw gives the dreaded ‘double chin’ appearance. A facelift is one of a number of treatments that can be considered to tackle these problems. Depending on how developed the symptoms are, non-surgical rejuvenation treatments may also be appropriate, either instead of a face lift or as a complimentary treatment. Facelift operations take between two and six hours and can usually be done as a day-case so you can go home after a few hours. Complications are very rare although a couple of weeks rest is usually recommended. The effects of a facelift last for around five to ten years.
Breast augmentation
Small breasts can cause women to feel insecure and can have a huge impact on their emotional wellbeing. Breast augmentation still remains the most popular cosmetic surgery treatment in the UK with nearly 10,000 operations carried out in 2012. Whilst there have been various scares linked to breast implants over the years, today’s most popular implants are worlds apart from their predecessors, designed to meet the demands of women who want a soft, realistic natural feel with minimum risk. These ‘cohesive gel’ implants contain gel that is both soft and solid like a gummy bear. If broken in half, the implant retains its shape and does not leak silicon into the body. The amount of silicon exposure is actually about a hundred times less than that absorbed from daily products such as hair and skin care formulations.
The breast augmentation operation itself requires minimal recovery time and an overnight stay in hospital is usually all that is required. During the operation, many surgeons use surgical glue over dissolving stiches, so there are no stiches to remove and the scars become almost invisible in time.
Breast reduction
Overly large breasts can cause discomfort, backache, neck ache and shoulder pain, as well as psychological issues. A breast reduction allows removal of excess fat and skin, as well as providing better shape and making the breast appear more uplifted. It can also correct symmetry where this is an issue. The breast reduction operation takes between one-and-a-half and three hours, and an overnight stay is normally recommended. The operation can be performed in a number of ways but inevitably results in a scar around the areola – however, this does sit below the line of clothing and underwear, and fades over time.
Abdominoplasty (‘tummy tuck’)
Sometimes both women and men suffer from loose skin around the tummy and a build-up of concentrated fat. This might be an inherited condition, or might be as a result of pregnancy or rapid weight loss. The abdominoplasty, or ‘tummy tuck’, is an operation to remove the excess fat and skin in addition to tightening the abdominal muscles. The operation takes two to five hours and may be done as a full abdominoplasty, mini abdominoplasty or endoscopic abdominoplasty which is the least invasive of the three options. The length of stay in hospital and recovery time depends on which operation you have, and the risk of developing complications is relatively low.
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