Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

By Millicent Odunze, M.D., About.com Guide

Plastic surgery is no longer just for the rich and famous. Everyday people are now flocking to surgeons for breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and more. Meanwhile, the field of cosmetic surgery offers more options than ever---from face lifts, rhinoplasty, and other traditional procedures, to newer and less invasive procedures, such as laser resurfacing and thermage.

Though these procedures are becoming more popular, they still carry risks that you need to weigh when deciding if one is right for you.

Facial Procedures
Breast Surgery
Body Contouring
Post-Bariatric Surgery
Minimally Invasive Procedures

Facial Procedures

Whether it's anti-aging treatments, a new nose, or subtle feature enhancement you're looking for, facial procedures remain a staple in the world of cosmetic surgery. In this world of "extreme makeovers," today's cosmetic surgery patient has a world of options from which to choose.

Breast Surgery

Based on the prevalence of push-up bras in stores and big-busted women in advertisements, it's pretty safe to say that a good portion of our society is obsessed with breasts. Breast augmentation continues to be the single most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States today. Though perhaps lesser known, there are other kinds of cosmetic breast surgery, including breast lifts and breast reductions, available as well.

Body Contouring

It's a sad fact that diet and exercise cannot always accomplish all of our body shaping goals. Maybe you are dissatisfied with the stubborn pockets of fat that won't budge from your thighs, or perhaps you have extra skin that hangs from your belly as a result of a pregnancy. If you're entertaining the idea of a cosmetic body contouring procedure, the good news is that they have come a long way in terms of results and safety.

Post-Bariatric Surgery

So you've lost a lot of weight, but you're still not happy with what you see in the mirror? Are you bothered by loose hanging skin? With the explosion of growth in weight loss surgery, there has been a similar boom in body contouring surgery after extreme weight loss. More and more, people are are seeking out cosmetic surgery designed to tailor their skin to fit their slimmer new bodies. Arm lifts are often done in conjunction with breast lifts, while tummy tucks can be combined with butt and thigh lifts in one procedure known as a body lift, or belt lipectomy.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

The advent of injectables, cosmetic lasers, radiofrequency, and other less invasive technologies has made "lunchtime" procedures a reality. Your skin can be tightened, cleared, and smoothed, your body rendered (nearly) hairless, and your unwanted ink vaporized and swept away. All of this and more can happen with no surgery, minimal pain, and even less downtime. This doesn't mean, of course, that these offerings are without risk (not to mention expense). But they are a viable alternative for techno-enhanced beauty seekers who don't want to commit to the scalpel.