Plastic surgery has plunged into mainstream media over the last few years. There are reality television shows and magazines on every newsstand with celebrities opening up about their plastic surgery confessions. Not to mention the ever-popular Real Housewives franchise where television cameras are regularly inside plastic surgeons’ operating rooms and cast members casually receive injectable treatments with their closest girlfriends.
Despite all of this, plastic surgery still tends to have a cloud of mystery surrounding it and with that come some negative myths. At the Quatela Center, our goal is to educate our patients and arm them with all of the information that they need to make the right decision for themselves.
So what myths surrounding plastic surgery need to be debunked? Below we unpack four common myths and the falsity behind them.
Myth #1: Plastic surgery is dangerous, so why risk your life for something unnecessary?
The truth is that all surgery has risks, but just because a procedure is cosmetic doesn’t mean the odds increase. The danger comes when patients choose under-qualified surgeons to perform their procedures. In today’s world of countless certifications, patients need to do their homework. Check directories such as the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery to see if the doctor you are researching is a member. It’s also important to check that the surgical facility is accredited. Another important piece: patients need to be honest with their surgeons about existing medical conditions and the medications they take.
Myth #2: Only people who are vain and full of themselves get plastic surgery.
Most people who choose to have a cosmetic procedure are simply interested in looking their best. They want to turn back the appearance of aging on their face, or find their pre-pregnancy body again. And they aren’t doing this to flaunt their younger-looking selves, but instead to feel good about themselves again. Many times patients are moms who are looking to do something for themselves after having taken care of their families.
In a recent study conducted by RealSelf, it was found that out of 700 men and women polled, 76% said that their reason for having a cosmetic procedure was to feel confident. The majority of people simply want to improve something that bothers them in order to feel better in their own skin.
Myth #3: Only the rich and famous can afford plastic surgery.
It’s also a common misunderstanding that only the rich and famous can afford cosmetic procedures. People are always surprised to find out that the average person who has plastic surgery is someone like your relative, friend or neighbor. The majority of patients who come to our office fall into a middle-class income range and are living what most would consider a “normal” life. Financing options also make procedures more readily available for the average American.
Myth #4: Women are the only ones having plastic surgery procedures done.
While some procedures are dominated by women, men are certainly having their fair share of cosmetic procedures done as well. Botox®, injectable fillers, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), male breast reduction (gynecomastia), liposuction, and facelift top the list of procedures most often requested by men according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery. A quick Google search will tell you that “Brotox” continues to rise as a popular trend as well. Just as women want to feel refreshed, men are looking to rejuvenate their look, many times for career purposes.
Now that you know the truth, if you are interested in learning more about the procedures available at the Quatela Center and what might be right for you, visit our website at Quatela.com or call (585) 244-1000 to speak to a Patient Consultant.