Common Reasons for Plastic Surgery

It is no great surprise that plastic surgery is big business. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that more than 15 million people underwent some type of cosmetic procedure or plastic surgery in 2013, which was a 3 percent increase from 2012. An additional 5.7 million reconstructive procedures were performed, which represented a 2 percent increase from 2012. Given all of these cosmetic procedures and plastic surgeries being performed, it may be useful to know some of the common reasons why so many patients are opting to undergo these procedures. There is a myriad of reasons that potential patients may come to Jefferson Plastic Surgery for a consultation about plastic surgery.

Improve Appearance

Whether it is a breast augmentation, nose job, or eye lift, patients’ desire to improve their bodily features is probably the most common reason for undergoing a plastic surgery procedure. Both breast augmentations (290,000 procedures, up by 1 percent) and eyelid procedures (216,000, up by 6 percent) increased from 2012 to 2013, which would seem to lend credence to the notion that people who undergo these procedures are looking to improve their appearance. Given that health insurance will not cover cosmetic surgical procedures, it may also be safe to assume that patients who opt for these procedures have thought very carefully about the exact goals they want from an elective surgery to improve their appearance. After all, most people will consider the benefits and drawbacks of any elective procedure if they must pay for it.

Following Weight Loss

Those patients who have lost a considerable amount of weight are often left with flabby, loose skin in areas such as the abdomen, upper thighs, and upper and lower arms. According to the ASPS, almost 42,000 such body contouring procedures were performed in 2013.

Because the skin may lose elasticity if it is stretched over excess fat on the body, it may not conform back to the new shape of the body. Furthermore, the excess skin can not only be unsightly, but may also be uncomfortable and cause chafing and rashes if it is not kept completely dry.

Breast Reconstruction after Cancer

For those women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, having to lose one or both breasts in a full mastectomy can be devastating. They may feel as though they are forced to live with a constant reminder of their condition. As a result, they may turn to plastic surgery such as a breast reconstruction surgical procedure. Fortunately, most health insurance will pay to cover such a procedure, as it is performed to correct for an illness or injury to the body.

Following an Accident

In some cases, people who have been in a serious accident may have incurred serious injuries that have left them disfigured. Burn patients, as well as those who have been in car crashes, are just a few of those who may decide to undergo plastic surgery to hopefully restore their appearance to what it was prior to the accident. In most cases, health insurance will also cover this type of reconstructive surgery.

Patients may have any number of reasons for choosing to undergo plastic surgery. Regardless of the reason for the procedure, Jefferson Plastic Surgery will work closely with each patient to meet their specific goals. Contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery today.