Types of Cosmetic Surgery


There are cosmetic surgeries for nearly every body part, and thanks to the latest advancements in technology and surgical procedures, there are new and improved methods every year. Some common types of cosmetic and advanced cosmetic surgery include:

  • Rhinoplasty: It refers to cosmetic procedures associated with the nose. This is in fact one of the oldest types of cosmetic surgery and still remains one of the most popular. People choose rhinoplasty to change the appearance of their nose and complement other facial features or to treat ailments such as chronic difficulty in breathing. Problems such as a large nose, a bump on the nose, a wide nose or broad nostrils can be altered to suit one’s liking with a rhinoplasty.
  • Breast Augmentation: Breast Augmentation is done to improve a woman’s looks, by either increasing or reducing the size and shape of her breasts. Women seek to increase the size of their breasts in order to heighten their sex appeal and thereby gain more confidence. Breast reduction surgery is also done in order to reduce the breast size and remedy back pains or to remove a breast due to cancer. Men can also opt for a breast augmentation procedure known as gynecomastia to reduce and remove ‘male breasts’.
  • Liposuction: It is also known as lipoplasty. This type of cosmetic surgery involves the literal sucking out of extra deposits of fat from various parts of the body. Most common areas for liposuction are the stomach, thighs, arms, and buttocks. When diet and exercise do not help to shed excess fat and obtain leaner bodies, people opt for liposuction.
  • Tummy Tuck: A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty can be performed in conjunction with a liposuction or on its own. One may opt for a tummy tuck to reduce a protruding tummy and remove stretch marks post childbirth.
  • Face Lift: Refers to a number of cosmetic surgery procedures used to improve the quality of a person’s facial features or reduce the effects of aging. A facelift will make firm and tighten the skin and reduce problems such as saggy jowls and double chin. What a facelift does not do, is change the texture of the skin. For complaints such as acne scars, crow’s feet and wrinkles, skin treatments such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing can help.
  • Blepharoplasty: A facelift is usually performed in combination with a blepharoplasty. This surgery removes fatty deposits and excess skin around the upper and lower eyelids and reduces the signs of aging. In rare cases where droopy eyelids may interfere with normal vision, blepharoplasty may even be covered by insurance.
  • Wrinkle Removal: Cosmetic surgery uses a number of different procedures to remove wrinkles and lessen the effects of aging. Fat implants and botox injections are the most popular treatments for wrinkle removal today.
  • Pectoral Implants: This type of cosmetic surgery is gaining popularity among the modern-day men. This surgery saves men from going through the rigor of heavy workouts, and instantly gives them that buffed, muscled chest.
  • Advanced Cosmetic Surgery: It also refers to reconstructive plastic surgery. These are procedures performed to correct abnormalities in the structure of the body caused by diseases or ailments. There are generally medical ramifications to these types of advanced cosmetic surgeries.
There is no end to the amount of cosmetic surgery procedures a person can have done. To prevent being carried away with changing your appearance totally, it is important to consult with a board-certified surgeon. Such a person will have the required training and experience to guide you about the cosmetic surgery suited to you. 
Frequently asked questions
References
  1. Flesh Wounds: The Culture of Cosmetic Surgery; Deborah Sullivan, JAMA. 2004;292(6):743-744.doi:10.1001/jama.292.6.743-b
  2. Cosmetic Surgery: The Cutting Edge of Commercial Medicine in America; Janet E. Shepherd, JAMA. 2001;286(7):848-849.doi:10.1001/jama.286.7.848
  3. Cosmetic Surgery: Principles and Practice; Paul W. Greeley, JAMA. 1960;173(12):1392.doi:10.1001/jama.1960.03020300104030