Ever wonder if cosmetic surgery is worth it or do people end up regretting going under the knife? When it comes to the most common procedures such as breast augmentation, injectable fillers, and tummy tucks the results may surprise you.
Here are the top 10 most worth cosmetic surgery procedures:
10. Hair Transplant: 93% Worth It
Hair transplants are also known as hair restoration, hair grafting, or hair implants. A hair transplant involves taking donor hairs from one or more areas of your body and moving them to an area of hair loss. Once placed, the hair continues to grow. Donor hair is usually taken from the back or sides of the scalp. The hairs are transplanted as “grafts,” each of which contains one to four hairs. It can take from 6 to 10 months to start seeing the results of the hair transplant as new hairs grow. For full results, the patient can expect to wait up to a year. When done by a well-trained professional, hair transplants look extremely natural and the hair continues to grow for the rest of the patient's life. However, a hair transplant won't stop the progression of hair loss and the patient may need future treatments. When performed poorly, the transplant can damage surrounding hair and look unnatural and sparse.
9. Injectable Fillers: 94% Worth It
Injectable fillers (dermal fillers) are used to add volume. The most popular filler ingredient is Hyaluronic acid. Fillers can also be made from collagen, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethyl methacrylate, or fat harvested from your body. Fillers are commonly used to plump up lips, smooth wrinkles and folds, fill under-eye hollows, and enhance cheeks. More recently, fillers are being used for non-surgical rhinoplasty. Fillers are not the same as neurotoxins (Botox ©) because the latter relaxes muscles to smooth lines and wrinkles. The results from injectable fillers are visible within a couple of days and they can last from 6 months to over a year. Fillers are metabolized by the body, so the results are temporary and touch-ups are necessary for maintenance.
8. Eyelid Surgery: 94% Worth It
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can be performed on the upper and lower eyelids to tighten and lift sagging skin. On the upper lids, the surgery can raise hooded, droopy, or asymmetrical eyelids. On the lower lids, it can be used to remove bags and tighten skin. The primary goal of eyelid surgery is to make patients look more alert and youthful. The procedure takes about an hour to complete and recovery can take several months. Most patients can resume normal activities in two weeks, but it can take up to 6 months to see the final results of eyelid surgery. The results can be expected to last for more than 15 years. The risks involved with eyelid surgery include asymmetrical eyelids, inability to close eyes fully, and dry or irritable eyes.
7. Breast Lift: 95% Worth It
A breast lift (mastopexy) is designed to improve the shape and position of the breasts without changing their size. It is typically used to improve breast sagging from aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss. If the patient wants to change the size of their breasts, they will need either an augmentation or reduction. During a breast lift, the surgeon will remove excess skin and reposition the nipple and areola. The surgery takes from two to three hours to complete and recovery time is about 2 weeks. The results are visible immediately, but it can take up to a year of healing to see the full results.
There are four common types of breast lifts: crescent lift, donut lift (circumareolar), lollipop lift, and anchor lift. The crescent lift produces the least amount of scarring and is best for women with minimal sagging. A crescent-shaped incision is made around the top half of the areola. A donut lift uses a circular incision around the areola to correct mild sagging and reduce areola size. This technique tends to flatten the breast and is best combined with an implant. A lollipop lift uses two incisions and allows the surgeon to reshape the entire breast by removing excess skin and repositioning the areola. It is recommended for moderate to severe sagging. A lollipop lift creates scars around the areola and running vertically from the bottom of the areola to under the breast fold. Lastly, an anchor lift uses three incisions; the two mentioned in a lollipop lift and a third horizontal incision along the breast crease. This technique is used in more extreme cases of sagging and has the most potential for post-surgical scarring. All breast lifts will have scarring and it is important to discuss surgical options before deciding on the most appropriate technique.
It is recommended that women wait until they are finished having children before getting a breast lift as pregnancy can dramatically alter the breasts.
6. Facelift: 95% Worth It
A facelift (rhytidectomy) addresses the sagging or folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline and other changes in the shape of your face that occur with age. During the procedure, the surgeon will reposition lax skin and muscles of the face and neck to achieve a more youthful appearance. A facelift does not include the eyelids or brow and does not improve fine lines and wrinkles. The typical age range for a patient undergoing a facelift is from the mid-40s to 80s. The results are long-lasting (up to 10 years), but not permanent as the ageing process continues.
5. Mommy Makeover: 96% Worth It
A mommy makeover combines a tummy tuck, breast lift/augmentation, and liposuction. The reason women decide to have multiple cosmetic surgery procedures in the same visit is that it removes the need for multiple rounds of general anesthesia and it addresses all their concerns at once. Additionally, the recovery time is similar to when only a single procedure is performed. The full results of a mommy makeover are visible in six months. Women who've had the procedure report having renewed confidence and feeling more like themselves. Those who were not satisfied with the procedure reported scarring, uneven liposuction, or asymmetrical breasts. To read more about a mommy makeover, head to this article.
4. Botox: 96% Worth It
Botox © is the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure. Botox is an injectable neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum. It works by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles and softens the looks of lines and wrinkles. It can also be used as a preventative measure to reduce the development of wrinkles created by repeated muscle movements (i.e. frown lines, furrowed brows). Botox works by blocking the signal from the nerves to the muscles, thus preventing muscle contraction. The treatment lasts about three to four months and requires regular top-ups to maintain results. The risks associated with Botox are that it could spread to other areas and cause drooping eyelids, lopsided smile, crooked brows or a frozen look. Botox is often combined with injectable fillers to add volume and "fill in" deeper wrinkles.
3. Tummy Tuck: 97% Worth It
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can remove excess or sagging skin, repair loose or separated muscles, and reduce excess fat. Many patients combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to sculpt the waist and love-handles. Tummy tucks are ideal for those who've had dramatic weight loss or for women after pregnancy who need diastasis recti repair. Tummy tucks can remove excess abdominal skin which is unresponsive to exercise and diet. The recovery time for a tummy tuck is from two to threes and full healing can take up to 12 months. The surgery leaves a scar that extends from hip-to-hip and is hidden below the bikini line. Tummy tucks have the highest complication rate of all cosmetic surgery procedures (up to 3%). These complications are usually the reason for patient dissatisfaction.
2. Breast Augmentation: 98% Worth It
Breast augmentation is the most popular surgical cosmetic procedure. Breast augmentation is used to enhance the chest and to correct sagging and lost volume from ageing, weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Breast implants are customizable. The patient can work with the surgeon to choose the appropriate diameter, projection, and volume to achieve the desired result. 87% of breast implant surgeries use silicone implants. Another popular material is saline. Incisions (and scar sites) for breast augmentation are around the nipple, under the breast, or in the armpit. The recovery time for breast augmentation is relatively short as most patients can return to work in a week. The results are immediate, however, it takes about three months for the breasts to settle into their final position.
1. Breast Reduction: 98% Worth It
Breast reduction (mammoplasty) has the highest satisfaction rates when it comes to cosmetic surgery. A breast reduction removes skin, fat, and glandular tissues from the breasts to reduce their size. During the procedure, the surgeon will also reshape the breasts and reposition the nipple to create a youthful contour. Many women choose to undergo breast reduction surgery due to pain in their neck, back and shoulder, bra-strap grooving, skin irritation, rashes under the breasts, and difficulty with exercise and daily activities. The relief women are seeking from heavy breasts is apparent immediately after surgery. Studies have shown women have higher self-esteem, improved body image, and better physical health after breast reduction surgery. Recovery from surgery is similar to breast augmentation and it takes up to 6 to 12 months for all the swelling to dissipate. A breast reduction may interfere with breastfeeding, but 80% of patients can breastfeed after their surgery.
The best way to ensure you'll be satisfied with the outcome of your cosmetic procedure or surgery is to do your research, manage your expectations, and choose a board-certified plastic surgeon. All cosmetic procedures have their strengths and limitations; understanding these will increase your level of satisfaction with your decision.
If you're ready to take the next step, apply for a Cosmetic Surgery Grant today. We offer Grants to help cover up to 20% of your cosmetic surgery treatment.