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There are plenty of misconceptions surrounding the world of plastic surgery. Many people fail to understand how the procedures are performed, they also fail to understand the variety of motivations patients have for choosing plastic surgery in the first place.
To help clarify a few important plastic surgery facts, we are going to offer up some helpful information in this post. We hope that the information below will at least educate you on this subject – and it might even help you decide what kind of work you would like to have done for yourself.
Liposuction vs Abdominoplasty
Among the general population, the term ‘liposuction’ is well known. The same probably cannot be said for abdominoplasty. However, you probably do know abdominoplasty by its more common term, ‘tummy tuck’. So what is the difference between these two procedures?
Liposuction involves surgically removing fat from the patient. If a particular patient is in reasonably good physical condition, yet cannot seem to manage to remove that last section of stubborn fat from around their waist, liposuction may be the answer. The procedure can take away those small pockets of fat and flatten out the stomach (or another area of the body).
On the other hand, a tummy tuck – or abdominoplasty – is a procedure that is used to remove loose skin and repair abdominal muscles. This is frequently the choice of patients who have gone through multiple pregnancies, or who have lost a lot of weight. After weight loss, or childbirth, there is loose skin around the midsection which may not go away even with diet and exercise.
As you can see, liposuction and abdominoplasty are two very different procedures, with very different goals in mind. If you think you may be interested in one or the other, the best thing to do would be to speak with a qualified plastic surgeon about your personal needs.
Breast Augmentation vs Breast Lift
Again here, we see two procedures which are actually quite different, and which have different goals in mind. Breast augmentation is about changing the size of the breasts. Some women have this procedure completed simply because they would like to have larger breasts, while others do it to balance out a difference in breast sizes – or for other reasons entirely.
On the other hand, a breast lift is not about changing the size of the breasts, but rather raising them and possibly improving their shape. Breasts will naturally move lower over time, whether as the result of aging or other factors like pregnancy and weight changes. With a breast lift, the patient may be able to reverse that trend and move forward with youthful-looking breasts.
While these are different operations with different goals, it is possible to use them to complement one another. Some women choose to have both a breast augmentation and a breast lift at the same time, but that is a choice which needs to be made on a case by case basis.
Facelift vs Neck Lift
This last one is probably pretty easy to differentiate, as everything you need to know is right in the title of the procedure. A facelift is meant to return your facial appearance to a younger state, while a neck lift addresses signs of aging in your neck area. It is certainly possible to use just one of these procedures, or a patient may choose to use both in some cases.
While they address different parts of the body, a facelift and a neck lift actually use very similar techniques. In each case, the skin is pulled up to reduce indications of aging. Reduction in both sagging skin and wrinkles is a common goal when a neck lift or facelift is performed. As is always the case, the best way to decide whether you should consider a neck lift, a facelift, or both, is to speak with a qualified plastic surgeon.
It would be a mistake to let the misconceptions surrounding plastic surgery guide your thinking any longer. Taking a moment to become educated on the many possible plastic surgery options will help you make smart decisions while thinking of your own future. Don’t be confused by rumors or simple misunderstandings – get the right information from a reliable source and then make your own choices.
If you would like help picking the right plastic surgery option for you – or if you would like more information regarding a specific procedure, feel free to contact Associated Plastic Surgeons at your convenience.