Welcome to the official Cosmetic Surgery Advice resource that offers free and impartial help and support to people looking to undertake surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery is not a discipline within itself, but a branch of Plastic Surgery designed to improve the appearance of an individual or to rejuvenate them. Cosmetic Surgery has been developed to respond to a person’s need to change some aspect of their appearance, frequently one which has bothered them over the course of their lives.
Plastic Surgery is that aspect of surgery developed to correct congenital or acquired deformities, and restore impaired function to the affected areas.
The term “Plastic” comes from the Greek plastica meaning to form or mold. Historically, this usually referred to the shaping and molding of skin, cartilage, fat and bone.
The art of Plastic Surgery was practised as early as 200 B.C. in ancient India where women’s noses, mutilated by their jealous husbands, were reconstructed using flaps of skin from the forehead.
In Renaissance Italy, surgeon Gaspar Tagliacozzi wrote the first textbook of Plastic Surgery in which he described a procedure whereby a skin flap, taken from the arm of an individual, was used to reconstruct a missing nose.
Probably the greatest step towards the recognition of Plastic Surgery as being a legitimate branch of surgery came in World War I, where actual “Plastic Surgery Units” were opened in British hospitals. These units were designed to treat combat veterans who had received extensive gunshot injuries and burns on the front. The extent and complexity of these kinds of injuries, never before seen, tested the ingenuity and inventiveness of these “pioneers” to the craft. Read more with our Cosmetic Surgery guide resources.
Cosmetic surgery, also known as aesthetic surgery, is a type of medical procedure that aims to enhance a person’s physical appearance by modifying or improving their body’s features. The procedures can range from simple, non-invasive treatments to more complex surgeries that require anesthesia and hospitalization.
The Goal of Cosmetic Surgery
The primary goal of cosmetic surgery is to improve a person’s physical appearance and enhance their self-esteem and confidence. Cosmetic surgery procedures are typically elective, meaning they are not medically necessary, and are performed on individuals who are dissatisfied with their physical appearance or who wish to enhance certain features of their body.
The goal of cosmetic surgery is to help individuals achieve the look they desire, whether it is to reduce the signs of aging, enhance their natural features, or correct any perceived physical imperfections. By improving their appearance, individuals may experience increased self-confidence and improved quality of life.
However, it is important to note that cosmetic surgery is not a panacea for low self-esteem or body image issues. While it can improve a person’s appearance, it is not a substitute for mental health treatment or counselling for underlying psychological issues. Therefore, it is essential to approach cosmetic surgery with realistic expectations and to discuss any concerns or questions with a qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon.
Some common cosmetic surgery procedures include:
- Breast augmentation: A surgical procedure to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts. Read more about this with our Breast Enlargement help guide or our Breast reduction guide.
- Liposuction: A procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips.
- Rhinoplasty: A surgical procedure to reshape and improve the appearance of the nose.
- Facelift: A surgical procedure to lift and tighten sagging facial skin and reduce wrinkles.
- Tummy tuck: A surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tighten the muscles in the area.
- Botox injections: A non-surgical treatment that temporarily paralyzes the muscles in the face to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
Cosmetic surgery is typically elective, which means that it is not medically necessary. People choose to undergo cosmetic surgery to enhance their physical appearance and boost their self-esteem. However, like any surgery, cosmetic surgery carries certain risks, including infection, bleeding, and anesthesia complications. It is important to consult with a qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon and carefully consider the risks and benefits before undergoing any cosmetic surgery procedure.
We highly recommend the following Costmetic Surgery Advice book:
In the United States, around the same time, there were surgeons that were experimenting with aesthetic cosmetic surgery.
For the most part all of the procedures we have today were developed through pioneering reconstructive surgery to correct birth defects or damage from accidents, diseases or war injuries.
In the 1920’s there was a move towards “improving” facial features rather than deformities. This started with the “bobbing” of a famous American actress’ nose. Before long, regular people were asking for their noses to be bobbed in imitation of Fanny Brice’s surgery.
This was the start of a American and European infatuation with self-improvement.
