Do you think you have the right ideas about “fact vs. fiction” when it comes to Plastic Surgery? Test your knowledge with these ten “True or False?” affairs.
Lasers work better than Botox® for most facial wrinkles.
FALSE – There is no laser or surgical procedure (face lift, brow lift, etc.) that can even come close to doubling the degree of wrinkle removal and the kind of natural, sophisticated results of Botox®. Factor in the cost differences, risk differences, and long-term cumulative benefits of Botox® (over a one-time procedure) and it’s even more “no contest.”
A facelift lasts about 10 years.
FALSE: Most of today’s facelift techniques will create an appearance that turns back the clock and should result in a degree of rejuvenation where you will never look your age or older again. As you continue to age, your face will also age, but not in proportion to time. Even after 10 years, it should still look better than it otherwise would. It’s not unusual at all for original pre-op photos to look worse than 10 year old post-op photos!
There is no good procedure for “rolls” of fat (“back fat”) that protrude above, below, and into the bra on the sides of the chest/back.
FALSE – Liposuction has revolutionized the treatment of these problematic “love handles”. Successful recontouring of the sides, especially when done in conjunction with the hips or love handles, is routinely performed. This can really make a dramatic improvement in the curvaceous and sculpted appearance of the female form.
The Board Certification process to become a Plastic Surgeon typically takes 10 years or more to complete.
TRUE: After 4 years of college and then 4 years of medical school, most aspiring plastic surgeons will have to spend another 5-7 years in surgical residency training. Then add 1-2 more years as a practicing surgeon, after which they must take very rigorous oral and written plastic surgery exams (including photos of their results for review) spaced 1-2 years apart. If all of that is accomplished satisfactorily, they will have earned the right to say that they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Not including college or medical school, this is easily a 10+ year process.
Exercise is a good option for improving loose, inelastic, “stretchy,” and stretch-marked skin on the lower abdomen.
FALSE: No exercise, no cream, and no diet can cause the skin to become loose and inelastic, as commonly occurs with a re-tightened lower abdomen. Neither will any laser treatment or any form of liposuction in most cases. The only way to reliably and definitively correct this type of problem is with a “tummy tuck.”
Many women can avoid scarring from a breast lift procedure by getting breast implants.
TRUE: A well-conceived and properly performed breast augmentation can plump, reshape, and restore a lovely appearance to the breasts using only a small incision typical of the crease. A breast lift is a longer procedure that requires a series of long incisions that can later turn into unattractive scars. Fortunately, many women who initially thought they might need a lift because their breasts looked hollow and sagging, will find that they can get a very nice result with just an augmentation and don’t need the lift. Having a consultation to determine if this is a realistic option is the key.
Soluble stitches can rarely be used in most cosmetic operations.
FALSE: Most plastic surgeons use as many dissolvable stitches as possible to eliminate the need (and stress) for someone to have stitches removed post-op. Commonly though, for some procedures there are also some key points that cannot be dissolved because the strength and support needs cannot be compromised. But 3 or 4 that need to be removed compared to the dozens they have had to remove in the past would seem like a fair trade!
Grease as “injectable” is always preferable to fillers because it will last permanently.
FALSE: Small, inconspicuous areas (such as wrinkles, scars, and even the lips) that need modest or minimal “filling” can be treated much more conveniently and economically with “fillers” than with fat. Also, fat can remain quite swollen for an extended period of time (possibly weeks), making it a poor choice for someone with high social visibility and limited time spent out of the public eye. For larger areas or for those situations where much more volume is desired (such as the buttocks), fat becomes the more practical option. However, it is true that once the healing process has been completed, any fat that has not been reabsorbed will most likely last indefinitely.
the effects of botox® they are instant.
FALSE – Botox® does not reveal its working effects immediately. Wrinkle removal results appear slowly, usually starting a day or two after treatment and not reaching full effect for a week or two. After that, Botox® results will generally last 3-6 months.
All neck lift procedures require surgical incisions.
FALSE: Most neck lifts today are done with liposuction, especially Smartlipo. This usually requires no more than one or two small cuts in the skin (like a paper cut) to complete the entire procedure. No operating room or surgical incisions (in the traditional sense) are needed.
