Cosmetic surgery allows you to enhance your physical appearance by altering physical features you find less desirable. You can address many areas, including your face, neck, breasts, and tummy. Each procedure is unique and has short- and long-term effects, including benefits and risks. Here are some long-term effects of cosmetic plastic surgery on your body:
Physical Appearance
Cosmetic surgeryprocedures adjust your body shape so that it better aligns with your ideal appearance. Some procedures include:
- Facelift: Facelifts counter natural changes to the face caused by sun exposure, gravity, or stress. The skin and muscles on the face are tightened to create a younger appearance.
- Breast augmentation: This procedure increases the size of a woman’s breasts with implants to provide a fuller, firmer look.
- Liposuction: This procedure removes undesirable body fat from areas that do not respond well to diet and exercise. Liposuction may target the abdomen, hips, buttocks, or thighs.
- Tummy tuck: Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, helps flatten and shape a patient’s waist and abdomen. Excess fat and skin are removed, and muscles are tightened.
Beyond aesthetic effects, plastic surgery can provide lasting functional improvements. Breast reduction may reduce back pain caused by big, heavy breasts, while rhinoplasty often improves breathing. Other potential long-term effects of cosmetic procedures include scarring and changes with aging. Extensive surgical procedures may result in scars that fade over time, while others stretch due to natural bodily changes associated with aging. You can schedule follow-up care to address unwanted changes. An experienced surgeon plans and manages your procedures to align with planned changes, such as weight loss, childbirth, or other factors.
Metal Health
Surgery may improve mental health and provide psychological benefits, such as increased confidence. For many people, altering their appearance to match their preferences can lead to an improved self-image. Some surgeries, such as those targeting excess fat and skin, can also improve quality of life. Operations that reduce pain and increase functionality make it easier to reach lifestyle goals, such as regular exercise.
Future Procedures
Cosmetic procedures usually result in scar tissue and anatomical changes that impact future surgeries. If you have had a breast augmentation, your skin tissues will naturally grow and age around the larger breasts. If you want the implants to be removed later, excess skin is usually removed. This can result in additional scarring. Consult your surgeon to explore less-invasive treatments that reduce scar tissue. Managing aftercare as instructed also helps reduce the risk of infection, tissue rupture, and other issues that may require a second surgery. Some surgeons can complete multiple procedures during a single appointment, which limits the number of surgeries you need to undergo. This may reduce healing time and potential complications that could arise from multiple procedures.
Body Sensations
Cosmetic procedures that involve implants and fillers can reduce natural body sensations. Implants and fillers do not contain a network of active nerves that create physical responses to touch or changes in temperature. Surgeries that involve cutting through nerves and scar tissue also change nerve routes. Affected areas may become numb temporarily or permanently. Consult your surgeon to find out what to expect concerning general sensations.
Some surgeries result in intermittent discomfort, especially after maintenance visits. Chronic pain is rare, but ongoing discomfort and adjustment are possible. Experienced surgeons help you understand the potential for long-term pain or discomfort and how to manage it.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Surgery Today
Proper preparation, such as making diet changes, increasing exercise, or quitting smoking, helps promote desirable results after cosmetic surgery. Experienced surgeons guide you through each procedure, including providing recommendations for recovery and supporting long-term positive outcomes. Speak to a surgeon today to learn more about cosmetic surgery and its changes to your body.
