Common Misconceptions that Keep People from Getting Plastic Surgery (Part 1)
At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we consult every day with prospective patients who have all kinds of questions and concerns. There tends to be confusion among the general public when it comes to plastic surgery, but we can usually clear it up with people who decide to take that first step of scheduling a consultation. In this first part of a two-part blog, we’re using our experience to deflate some of the common misconceptions that make some people reluctant to have cosmetic procedures:
Myth 1: Only shallow people get plastic surgery.
This plastic surgery misconception is likely due to portrayals of plastic surgeons on television and in movies, as well as the perceived culture of vanity around celebrities and Hollywood in general. Many people who elect to get plastic surgery do so to help boost their confidence in their appearance, but even more people do it to correct for disfiguring medical conditions, birth defects, and/or accidents. At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we perform reconstructive procedures every day to correct damage done by cleft palates, post-cancer mastectomies and tumor removals, work-related injuries, and more. Some people do get plastic surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, but we don’t believe there’s anything wrong with valuing your appearance and taking steps to improve your self-image.
Myth 2: Plastic surgery is just for women.
It’s true that the majority of plastic surgery patients in 2017 were women, but men accounted for a healthy 13% of those procedures. However, many types of plastic surgery have been on the rise among men for the past several years. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)’s 2017 statistical report shows a dramatic increase in men’s plastic surgery, with men’s filler injections rising 99% and men’s Botox up by 397% since 2000. As medical science and technology continue to extend the productive phases of men’s lives, more and more men are opting to look as young as they feel. The amount of men having liposuction and tummy tucks has risen steadily over the past five years, growing by 23% and 12%, respectively. Many men also opt to have male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia, a condition in which excess fat and glandular tissue in the chest give the appearance of breasts. It seems that the stigma around males and plastic surgery is steadily dissipating as this misconception continues to be proven wrong.
Be sure to come back next week to learn about three more areas of confusion that make people reluctant to have plastic surgery. If you’re considering plastic surgery and would like to speak with an experienced surgeon about your options, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery offices to schedule a consultation. In addition to discussing your prospective procedure, we can go over our available financing options for plastic surgery with you. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.
