Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Overview

What is cosmetic plastic surgery?

Cosmetic plastic surgery is performed in order to change one's appearance. For some, it may mean redesigning the body's contour and shape, the elimination of wrinkles, or eliminating balding areas. Others may choose varicose vein treatment or breast augmentation. There are a number of cosmetic surgery procedures that men and women can choose from in order to create an image that makes them feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance. In 2003, more than 15 million people had cosmetic surgery.

Although health insurance rarely covers the cost of cosmetic procedures, the number of individuals deciding to undergo cosmetic plastic surgery continues to grow. The top five cosmetic surgeries included liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping and facelift. More than 1.4 women had one or more of these surgeries in 2004. 

Further, it is not just women who are opting to enhance their appearance through surgery. Statistics show that the number of men having liposuction - the removal of fatty tissue - has increased 500 percent since 1992. In addition, the number of men having facelifts has almost quadrupled.

What are the most common plastic surgery procedures?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common cosmetic procedures (invasive and minimally-invasive) are listed here by their common or descriptive names. The medical term for the procedure is enclosed in parentheses.

• breast augmentation or enlargement (augmentation mammaplasty)
• breast implant removals
• breast lift
• buttock lift 
• chin, cheek, or jaw reshaping (facial implants or soft tissue augmentation)
• dermabrasion
• eyelid lift (blepharoplasty)  
• facelift (rhytidectomy)
• forehead lift
• hair replacement/transplantation
• lip augmentation 
• liposuction (lipoplasty)
• lower body lift 
• nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
• thigh lift 
• tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• upper arm lift 
• botox injections
• cellulite treatment
• chemical ppeel
• plumping/collagen or fat injections (facial rejuvenation)
• laser skin resurfacing
• laser treatment of leg veins

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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rush

Surgeons in the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, are experienced in the full spectrum of craniofacial and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, aesthetic surgery, breast reconstruction and orthodontics.

Departmental programs include one of the country’s premier centers for the treatment of children and adults with congenital or acquired craniofacial deformities and anomalies. Services of the Rush Craniofacial Center include repair of cleft lips and palates, craniofacial deformities and dental deformities.

For more information about the plastic and reconstructive surgery at Rush visit the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery home page.

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