Seven Plastic Surgery Myths Debunked

There are myths. There are urban legends. There are mistaken rumors. Whatever you call them, they’re false. Plastic surgery has its own fair share. Even the term “plastic” in plastic surgery is misunderstood.

People think plastic is meant to be fake, akin to the material plastic. But in reality, the word plastic in plastic surgery comes from the Greek work meaning “to mold”.

Here are seven other plastic surgery myths.

Liposuction is a great weight loss tool
Wrong. Liposuction is meant to remove pockets of fat that don’t respond to exercise or diet changes. Things like love handles. It is not meant to be a procedure for people that are not at, or just slightly above, their ideal weight.

Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are the same thing
A board-certified plastic surgeon has completed five years in surgical training at an accredited hospital, at least two years focusing on plastic surgery. Other physicians may have been trained to do cosmetic procedures in certain areas, but the level of training is not the same.

Plastic surgery doesn’t leave scars
Puhleeze. Any time you’re making an incision and cut the skin, the result of the incision is a scar. Talented plastics surgeons such as Dr. Herte, however, minimize the appearance of scars with good scar management after surgery, gentle techniques and by placing the incisions in inconspicuous places such as a natural crease whenever possible.

Breast augmentation is a one-time event
Breast implants, being man made, have a limited lifespan that is usually around 10 to 15 years. Plus, as the person with the implants gets older her breasts will probably begin to droop due to the the aging process. So, you will likely need another breast implant replacement procedure, and possibly a breast lift later on.

You can’t go out in the sun after surgery
Not true. You should limit your sun exposure because it can delay your healing to a degree and it can make your scars redden or permanently darken. But, as long as you wear sunscreen and protective clothing, you don’t have to pretend you’re a vampire.

Fat can reappear in other areas after liposuction
Fat removed by liposuction is permanently gone from the body. That doesn’t mean that the remaining fat won’t become excessive. Gaining weight can still show up in other areas and even be noticeable in the area that was treated with liposuction, if you gain enough.

Cost is all you should consider when contemplating cosmetic surgery
Almost all cosmetic surgery (not reconstructive surgery) is elective and not covered by insurance, but cost is not the only thing to consider. Your expectations need to be realistic. A procedure isn’t going to make you an entirely new person. You may have a nicer nose or rounder chest, but a procedure doesn’t make your whole life change. Unrealistic expectations make for unsatisfied patients. Also, not all surgeons are experienced or qualified. Do your homework when looking for a plastic surgeon. This is surgery on your body not buying a car. Not all are created equal.

If you have questions about a certain procedure, we encourage you to ask us about it. Dr. Herte and the team want all of our patients to be thoroughly knowledgeable about a potential procedure.