Mythology is nice…when you’re reading it in high school. Zeus. Prometheus. Hera. It’s all great.
But when it comes to plastic surgery, there is no room for myth. Why? It gives people false expectations or gives them the wrong impression about a certain procedure.
Even the term “plastic” in plastic surgery is misunderstood. People think plastic is meant to be fake, akin to the material plastic. But in reality, the word plastic in plastic surgery comes from the Greek word meaning “to mold.”
Here are other plastic surgery myths.
Breast augmentation is a one-time event
Like anything that is manufactured, breast implants have a limited lifespan, usually around 10 to 15 years. Also, as the person with implants ages, her breasts will still droop with that aging. If you’re younger, you’ll need at least two breast implant exchange procedures over the course of your life.
Liposuction is a great weight loss tool
Nope. Liposuction is meant to remove pockets of fat that don’t respond to exercise or diet changes. Things like love handles. At UMass Memorial, our plastic surgeons will not perform liposuction on patients that are over 10% above their ideal weight.
Fat cannot reappear in other areas after liposuction
Fat removed by liposuction is permanently gone from that area. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fat show up in other areas IF you put on a bunch of weight. Follow a healthy diet and incorporate exercise into your life, and you’ll love your liposuction results for the duration.
Plastic surgery doesn’t leave scars
Any time you’re making an incision and cut the skin, the result of the incision is a scar. Talented plastics surgeons such as our team at UMass Memorial, however, minimize the appearance of scars by placing the incisions in inconspicuous places such as where a natural crease occurs.
You can’t go out in the sun after surgery
Not true. You should limit your sun exposure because it can delay your healing to a degree, and it can make your scars redden. But, as long as you wear sunscreen, you don’t have to pretend you’re a vampire.
If you have questions about a certain procedure, we encourage you to ask us about it. Call us at UMass Memorial, (508) 334-5990, to schedule a consultation.
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