Today, whether we like it or not, looks matter. An underwhelming appearance, which can be determined by any of a number of factors, is likely to result in some social consequences and other problems, and the effects can often be devastating.
Genetics and aging are the major factors which affect human aesthetics. When it comes to genetics, of course, different individuals have different experiences. Everyone has their own unique features, and in some cases these features are a source of trouble for the individual. Heredity determines the features of both the face and body. The benefits of diet and exercise are only part of what determines body shape. This means that, even with rigorous, targeted physical activity and a nutritious diet, many people find it difficult to completely get rid of certain problem areas of excess fat; most frequently among these are the legs, the torso, and the neck. Aging, of course, is something that gets to everyone, and time makes its mark on virtually every area of the body.
In many cases, cosmetic surgery is the only way to tackle these issues effectively. Thankfully, the progress of technologies and techniques means that cosmetic surgery is actually a reasonable way of approaching these issues. Pretty much any aesthetic problem can be solved thanks to surgical methods.
Cosmetic surgery has actually existed for more than 4000 years. It is thought to have originally been practiced in India around 2000 BC. Cosmetic surgery experienced a major growth in popularity around the time that the Hollywood film industry emerged; then, like now, many celebrities gained their famous features at least partially through cosmetic surgery. Today, a wide variety of procedures are available to the public, and are affordable enough that millions of people have been able to undergo cosmetic surgery in recent years.
In the US alone, in the year 2008, over 1,760,000 cosmetic surgical procedures were performed (all data provided by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). 90 percent of recipients were women, although the proportion of men receiving cosmetic surgery continues to increase year by year as well, which may be in part because corresponding stigmas have diminished and males are now judged on their appearance as well. The most common cosmetic surgeries are breast enhancement, liposuction, blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery), abdominoplasty (also called a “tummy tuck”), and breast reduction, while procedures most commonly performed on men are liposuction, rhinoplasty (cosmetic surgery for the nose), blepharoplasty, gynecomastia, or male breast reduction surgery, and hair transplantation.
Individuals aged 35-50 years are most likely to undergo cosmetic surgery; this is because aging is the biggest factor leading to people taking an interest in cosmetic surgery, perhaps because genetics or features present from birth are, in most cases, taken care of earlier than this. Over 70% of people state that they would not be ashamed to say that they had undergone cosmetic surgery, which is proof positive that cosmetic surgery is accepted by society.
Cosmetic surgical procedures themselves take varying amounts of time. Similarly, the period of time needed in order to recover fully from a specific procedure is directly related to the extensiveness of the procedure itself; some procedures call for no more than two weeks of rest before the patient can resume his or her daily activities, while other procedures may entail several months of recovery time. During the recovery period, the patient must adhere to the directions provided by the surgeon with regard to how to treat the area (using dressings, compression garments, ointments and so on), which activities to avoid (strenuous exercise or physical activity usually has to be ceased for two weeks at the least), clothing-related issues (loose-fitting clothing is usually recommended following any type of surgery; after a face lift, the patient should wear button-down shirts because t-shirts and sweatshirts need to be pulled over the face when worn and can cause damage to the recovering face when being put on), as well as dietary and other considerations (smoking, for example, must be avoided after any type of surgery).
Any type of surgery involves some chance of complications. Scarring results from any procedure which requires incisions. Swelling may occur in the short term, while swelling or irritation that remains or worsens after the period indicated by the surgeon indicates a problem. Allergic reaction to the anaesthetic used for the procedure is also possible for some individuals. Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular problems, may be considered unsuitable for cosmetic surgery. Consult with a physician if you would like to find out whether you are a good candidate for cosmetic surgery.
