Every year in the UK, a significant number of people opt to have some form of cosmetic surgery. Many are happy with the results, and come away with a greater feeling of self-confidence. However, choosing what types of surgical procedure to get is a very personal decision, and each individual has unique needs to consider. These are some of the most common forms of cosmetic procedures: Rhinoplasty
An awfully complicated name to get something so simple fixed, rhinoplasty is just the medical name for a nose job. Basically, the nose is reshaped according to your preference. A large number of celebrities have undergone rhinoplasty procedures, from Ringo Starr in the 60’s, to Jennifer Aniston (and Friends counterpart Rachel Green!) in the 90’s, to Olympian Rebecca Adlington more recently. Incidentally, rhinoplasty is the top cosmetic procedure for men as of 2016, according to the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), with 529 undergoing surgery.
Breast Augmentation
As of 2016, breast augmentation is the number 1 cosmetic surgical procedure for women, according to the BAAPS, with 7,732 operations taking place in the last year. The enlargement of the breasts is achieved either through the use of saline, or silicone-filled implants. Taking care of your pair is extremely important after this procedure, which requires a few days’ recovery time. Contact with the breasts must be kept to a minimum for between 3 and 4 weeks, and vigorous activities should also be avoided until full recovery, as advised by your surgeon. So don’t go rushing to enjoy those results just yet!Breast Reduction
On the flipside, reduction surgery is also a popular cosmetic procedure among women, with 4,832 having the op in 2014, according to the BAAPS. This would be due to a number of reasons, including medical complaints and feeling self-conscious. (Given the sexual nature of the breasts, undue prominence may attract unwanted attention). However, it is a simple matter for surgeons to remove any excess fat, reshape, and reposition the nipples for newer, smaller breasts, with just a few weeks’ recovery time.Male breast reduction surgery has also become increasingly popular, with the BAAPS recording 705 procedures in 2014. Gynecomastia, or ‘moobs’, can severely impact the confidence of those affected, and this liposuction-style surgery can provide a straightforward solution. Otoplasty
An effective option for people with prominent ears, an otoplasty, or ear pinning as it is more commonly known, involves a short spell under local anaesthetic, during which your ears will be repositioned to exactly how you want them. Being unhappy with your ears, especially when you are young, can lead to diminished self-confidence and a reduced social life (children may be bullied by their peers), but this can extend into adulthood, which is just as difficult to deal with, particularly on a personal level. Fortunately, this procedure can be performed on anyone over the age of 5, meaning that children and adults alike benefit tremendously from its results.
Hair Transplant
Hair transplant surgery is popular with both men and women: Around 10,000 procedures are thought to have taken place in 2011 alone, according to Dr Bessam Farjo, medical director for the Institute of Trichologists. It can be a confidence-crushing thing to lose your hair, and many people have chosen this corrective procedure because of its fast, effective results, including Wayne Rooney. The process involves extracting donor hairs and implanting them as grafts into a recipient area. While it can take 6 to 9 months to see any visible change, the results are sure to be well worth the wait (some hairs can keep growing up to 18 months after the procedure).Abdominoplasty
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is ideal for those wishing to remove excess skin, such as that left over after losing a lot of weight or having a baby. Tummy tucks are becoming as popular among men as they are women, with the BAAPS recording 172 male procedures in 2016. While this procedure requires a short stay in hospital, patients’ self-esteem greatly improves because of a newly-installed self-confidence in their flat-toned tummy.If you're planning on going under the knife soon, it's important to be honest with yourself. Don't have surgery on a whim and always choose reputable and trusted clinics to expect the best results.