As time goes by, advances in medicine and science seem to have no limit, and in a society where the cult of the physical and of youth is at the heart of people’s minds, it is logical that these advances should adapt to growing demand. Cosmetic surgery has become more democratic within society, on the one hand visually but also financially with more affordable operations than a few years ago, which has popularized some of the cosmetic surgery operations in the world. We propose today to answer some questions you may have on the subject.
1. What does cosmetic surgery include?
Small definition to start: globally cosmetic surgery includes all operations that aim to change the appearance of a person. These modifications are numerous and diverse, there are restorative or comfort operations, which we will immediately explain in a little more detail, rest easy.
2. What is reconstructive cosmetic surgery?
What is called restorative or reconstructive surgery brings together all the aesthetic operations that are performed to repair a part of the body. Generally these operations take place after an accident, a disease or a specific disorder that has “damaged” the body. They are followed by a general practitioner or specialist (dermatologist, gynecologist, nutritionist, etc.) who will accompany the patient and work jointly with the cosmetic surgeon.
3. What is comfort cosmetic surgery?
All that is called comfort surgery is what includes the rest of the operations: those which are done by the patient’s choice to change a part of his body but which do not require the basis of medical need such as rhinoplasty, facelifts, breast augmentations, liposuctions… These operations are generally motivated by the need to get rid of a physical complex or to achieve a desired physical appearance.
4. Is it still taboo?
A few years ago, comfort cosmetic surgery operations were considered taboo, because they were relatively rare and reserved for the more “fortunate” people. Today the phenomenon is much more widespread and accepted in mores. There is no shame in having plastic surgery, you just have to be aware of all that it involves and informed about the repercussions it can have on the body.
5. Is it reimbursed by social security?
Yes and no, it all depends on the nature of the operation. Some restorative operations are reimbursed because they are recommended and accompanied by a doctor. The vast majority of comfort operations, on the other hand, are the responsibility of the patient because they do not involve medical necessity that justifies coverage by social security.
6. Is it painful?
It all depends on the operation, the heavier the operation, the more the recovery risks being long and painful. When there are muscles that are affected during the operation, the pain may be more intense, but some operations are more troublesome for a few days than painful, such as breast reduction or rhinoplasty.
7. Is it expensive?
In the same way as pain and post-operative recovery, the price of the intervention varies greatly depending on the operation but also depending on the doctor. This is where you have to be vigilant because many scams exist, an attractive price should not convince you, it is about your body and the fallout from a bad operation can be serious.
8. Can overseas surgery offers work?
There are many stories of scams or badly performed operations, especially with the principle of medical tourism (offers for operations abroad). Many tempting offers in Turkey for example are actually organized by fake clinics, and some operations can go wrong.
Always take precautions and search for reviews on the internet, even try to see some photos of the results of the doctor’s previous operations. Generally the price must be an indicator, if the price of the operation is too low compared to the average you have to be wary. In France it is also always necessary to check that the doctor is well registered with the order of doctors.
9. What happens if we regret?
The problem with cosmetic surgery if you regret it is that the only way to change it is to redo an operation. This is why after a first medical appointment where the surgeon clearly explains the risks and the nature of the operation, the patient generally has a fortnight to withdraw. This decision should not be taken lightly and correcting an operation that does not please with another has little chance of satisfying the customer.
10. Are there any important risks to be aware of?
You should always be aware that a cosmetic surgery operation represents risks, mainly depending on the importance of the operation and the operated part. This can occur during the operation as a risk with anesthesia or by bleeding but it is rarer, most of the time it is after the operation that should not be minimized. Poor healing, post-operative infection or refusal of the body to integrate the injected products…