Despite the fact that cosmetic procedures are on the rise throughout the country, there’s still a ton of misinformation about plastic surgery. If you’re considering plastic surgery, then it’s vital that you educate yourself and get your facts straight. Here are five prevalent myths that can be easily dispelled.
- Are plastic and cosmetic surgeons the same thing?
Untrue. If a physician offers cosmetic procedures, chances are they might bill themselves as cosmetic surgeons. But that does not necessarily mean that they’ve had any specialized training in plastic surgery. Look beyond the label and ask about their qualifications, credentials and certifications.
- Aren’t all certifications more or less the same?
Nope. As we explained in a past post on choosing a board certified plastic surgeon, not all certifications are equal when it comes to plastic surgery. For example, the American Board of Medical Specialties operated 24 separate specialty boards, but only one of these, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, certifies for plastic surgery of the entire body.
- Isn’t plastic surgery too expensive for the average person?
Not at all! Many procedures are relatively inexpensive, and as the technology improves, efficiency is going up and costs are going down. On top of that fact, financing options such as CareCredit exist to make your procedure easier on your wallet.
- Does plastic surgery have benefits past the aesthetic ones?
Research has shown time and time again that plastic surgery can increase confidence and self-esteem. These types of psychological benefits, of course, are not guaranteed. But it’s important to note that cosmetic procedures are about more than just looks.
- Isn’t plastic surgery just for women?
Not according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. While they found that, in 2013, women made up the vast majority of cosmetic procedures (10.3 million, or 90.6 percent), men still underwent over one million cosmetic procedures, an over 250 percent increase since 1997. The most popular procedures for men included liposuction, eyelid surgery, nose surgery, breast reduction and ear surgery.
Many more myths exist about plastic and cosmetic surgery and, especially on the internet, misinformation is everywhere. But if you take the time to really educate yourself by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Anna Wooten, you’ll be able to determine if plastic surgery is truly right for you.