The top 5 Cosmetic Surgeries: The Good the Bad the Ugly
You may be surprised to learn that the rise of cosmetic super-beauty is not so much about nature, but rather more about nurture. In other words, alarming numbers of women have begun to nurture their egos more by going under the knife because they want to look like "better versions" of themselves. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), cosmetic procedures have increased by almost 400% over the past decade. Now if you ask why, I'm thinking it's because when we first meet someone, most of our impressions are visual. The way someone looks can determine whether we friend them or avoid them at the office or happy hour. So, it’s no surprise that more and more women are turning to cosmetic surgery to perfect those features they don’t like. However, with an increasing demand for cosmetic surgery services, options are abundant when it comes to finding surgeons and packages. This can be overwhelming & even confusing as you sift through your options to make a final decision on where to get a procedure done & who will perform it. After reading this if you still decide to move forward with surgery be sure to download the electronically fillable Surgery checklist & printable journal. They are free tools to help you consider the risks, make an informed decision, research your surgeon, and document your story to share with others.
The Most Common Surgeries: Prices & Description:
The most popular procedures include Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), Rhinoplasty, Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, and Porcelain Veneers - all of which can be incredibly exciting!
The Brazilian Butt Lift typically costs between 8-10k and involves a few simple steps! Liposuction is used to remove fat from areas like the hips, back, thighs, and abdomen, and then the fat is processed and prepared for transfer. Finally, the surgeon injects the fat into chosen spots on the butt to add volume and enhance its shape.
Rhinoplasty, which is often called a 'nose job', is an exciting procedure where the surgeon will alter the bone and cartilage beneath your skin. Depending on the shape of your nose, the amount of tissue to be removed or added, plus the materials available, your surgeon can reshape the bones or cartilage in several ways. The typical cost of a rhinoplasty is around $5,483.
Liposuction is a medical technique that utilizes suction power to get rid of fat from sections of the body like the waist, hips, buttocks, arms, and neck. It is also known as Lipoplasty and body sculpting. Surprisingly, the average expense of Liposuction as of 2020 was $3,637 however for full body Lipo you can be looking at up to $11,650!
Breast Augmentation, otherwise known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size of the breasts. Implants are placed either beneath the breast tissue or the chest muscles. All in all, the average cost of the procedure is around $4,516.
Veneers are unbelievably thin layers of either porcelain or resin composite materials that fit on the front of teeth. Dentists attach them to the teeth with dental bonding materials. These custom-made shells offer an amazing way to alter the color and shape of the teeth. The American dental association estimates that each veneer costs between $925 and $2500 and they typically stay in place for 5 to 7 years. If you are interested in finding out the cost range of veneers in your area use Deltas Dental Care Cost Estimator to assist you In your search.
The Most Common Surgeries: Risks & Maintenance
Brazilian Butt Lift, the biggest risk of a Brazilian butt lift outside of infection is Fat embolism, which is when fat enters the bloodstream and blocks a blood vessel. In the lungs, for example, it blocks oxygen from entering the bloodstream, while in the brain it can cause a stroke - both can be fatal. Currently, BBL is a notoriously dangerous form of cosmetic surgery, with one in 3,000 procedures resulting in death - making it the deadliest treatment currently available. If this procedure is done right and the patient follows all post-surgery instructions (including not smoking, eating right, not sitting on your butt for two weeks, then using a pillow for week three, along with wearing the special compression garment or a binder for 6-12 weeks after the procedure) they should heal properly. From 6 weeks up to 5 years post-procedure you will need to work out & change your diet to ensure the results last for 5-10 years before round two. Depending on if patients are happy with the outcome or not, patients are often advised to wait 6 months before an additional round. This is because at that point most of the fat cells that have survived are stable and the bruising should’ve subsided.
When it comes to Rhinoplasty, some potential hazards go beyond the risk of infection. You may have problems breathing, a crooked nose that needs further surgery, scarring, numbness, or a tear in the septum (if too much cartilage is eliminated during the procedure). Revision Rhinoplasty typically ranges between $7,500 to $15,000. Rejuvenation Rhinoplasty typically costs between $3,000 to $10,000 and is recommended after about a year of the first surgery.
Liposuction comes with some risks, such as potential anesthesia complications, harm to inner structures like nerves vessels & lungs, as well as infection, fat embolism, fluid build-up, and shape irregularities. Regarding keeping up with the results, the only real expense is to consider changing your diet & lifestyle, as well as any costs associated with those changes once you've healed from the surgery. Most people don't want to go back to the operating room, so if you eat well and exercise that should help you avoid future liposuction procedures to maintain your new shape. Excitingly, this means that if you stick to the plan, you won't have to worry about any additional expenses!
Breasts Augmentation can come with a few risks, such as infection, bursting of the implants, capsular contracture (formation of scar tissue around the implant), and in rare cases, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Maintenance-wise, silicone & saline implants are typically FDA-approved & last 10-20 years, and most patients only need to replace them once or twice in their lives. If your implants are not under warranty, you will have to pay for implant removal, which typically costs around $3,049, followed by the cost of the new implant installation, which can range from a minimum of $4,516 or more depending on your surgeon.
Veneers, while most veneers can last anywhere between 5-25 years, it depends on the materials, habits, and more. Initially, Infection is always a risk but as time passes, it's possible for the bonding to weaken and slowly detach the veneers in front of the teeth. Aging can also result in receding bone and jawline which can make the veneers not fit properly. You also run the risks of breakage, cracking, or loss of veneers, along with the possible increase of tooth sensitivity because some of the enamel is taken off the tooth. When it comes down to the cost to maintain veneers, it is none other than the usual oral care expenses you would incur with just your normal teeth. If a veneer cracks, you can usually get it repaired with a product called interface, for large cracks it may require a new veneer. The cost to repair a single veneer can range between $1,600 to $2,500 per tooth. Now, if you are opposed to veneers and want to improve your teeth' health I recommend Regrow. After a year of using it, it improved my sensitive teeth issues & saved my oldest daughter from having to get a cap on her back tooth. Regrow tooth powder helps remineralize teeth and gums by balancing the PH in your mouth to inhibit bacteria growth that can form plague that attacks enamel and gums and can cause tooth decay and gingivitis.
Brief History of BBL Marketing through Media Before 2000
Throughout the 1960s & 70's the media and world put the spotlight on the "mulata" women. An interracial or fairer-skinned black woman with an hourglass figure. The image spread rapidly around the globe in the following decades (1970 & 1980) through movies like "Carnival in Rio" with Arnold Schwarzenegger, which came out in 1983. What a lot of people do not know is that the actor & now Governor collaborated with Playboy Entertainment creating what they referred to at the time an “educational travel video” about Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. This movie focused on Arnold Schwarzenegger going to Brazil to learn about the infamous bundle referred to as the "Carnival Triple-Threat". The "Carnival Triple-Threat" consisted of "the bunda" (rear end), the mulata, & the Samba (a Brazilian dance of African origin). During the 1980's commentator’s critics and many, more concluded that Brazilian women's rear ends were the national preference as far as sex appeal and desired body types were concerned.
Brief History of BBL Marketing through Media After 2000
If we trace back to the early 2000s, we can see how the expectation of having a perfect body was popularized in the United States through the sex appeal of celebrities like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, & Kim Kardashian. Then in 2010, Nicki Minaj got her butt injections, followed by K Michelle in 2012. (If you're interested in seeing K Michelle's journey, her show "My Killer Body" is available to stream from Lifetime's website). In 2014, Cardi B had her butt injections done in Queens according to GQ magazine but had some unfortunate issues afterward. The popular show Black Ink Crew featured two cast members - Sky and Donna - that decided to go through the procedure to "improve" their butt insecurities. Recently this year, NeNe Leakes publicly shared her BBL journey in August of 2022. With so many renowned people getting cosmetic surgery and normalizing the notion of "tweaking your imperfections", it's no surprise why the number of people doing these procedures are increasing.
How does it Influence the People around you?
Numerous aspects can influence how your body and its appearance are altered after you have cosmetic surgery. One of the least discussed consequences is the mental and emotional effects that could lead to Body Dysmorphia Disorder. Your children can also be affected by it, and it could spark two ideas in their minds when they see you going through such a big change - "mom/dad didn't like themselves so they changed themselves & I can too" or "mom/dad didn't like themselves but I don't like the new them". Therefore, be aware that there is a greater chance of your decisions creating a body complex in your children if you get "work done". Those around you, apart from your kids, could also be impacted by your cosmetic surgery. Some parents are conscious enough to heavily monitor their children's influences. So, if you get work done & you are around someone else's children they may not want you to continue to be there to avoid their child thinking altering themselves is normal. Although there aren't many statistics around this there has certainly been a lot of advocacy & opinions broadcasted on social media. When it comes to surgery, one of the main issues that friends/associates may have is the attention it brings about. Not everyone is comfortable with it. Plus, some people may think that you are being "inauthentic" after a procedure. It's important to bear in mind the unease your decision could create for your friends and the trouble or awkwardness it might cause you & them in social settings. The reality is some people will praise you for your procedures, some will condemn you, or disassociate themselves from you. If you can accept that reality and the change of lifestyle unwarranted attention brings do what is right for you because it's your life. Either way, it is very important to consider who and how you may directly impact or influence around you by getting cosmetic surgery.
Bottomline
Cosmetic surgery is a popular choice for many people who want to improve their appearance. So, what are three valuable reasons why should you go against the modern-day grain & choose to embrace your authentic self instead? One, because accepting & embracing your authentic self is rewarding because it teaches you self-love. Choosing authenticity & self-love is controllable, plus it has significantly lower health risks over a surgical choice. Also, when you embrace your authentic self, it can help you find inner peace, build confidence, & evolve as an individual. My favorite part about embracing authenticity within self is that it helps you find your purpose & organically motivates you to take control of your destiny. When you learn self-love & discover your purpose in the process it organically drives you to adopt healthier lifestyles. Second, declining cosmetic surgery can save you money! Most procedures are quite expensive and have reoccurring costs, which can leave you with what may feel like a never-ending body bill. By choosing to embrace your authenticity, you can avoid unnecessary costs & invest money in other areas where you will see a monetary return on investment. Lastly, embracing your authenticity means that you will be more likely to find a companion who loves and accepts you for who you are. Before considering surgery, we recommend at least trying to accept that there was a plan for us before we were conceived. To accept that the most high made us perfect for OUR purpose. Understand that you don’t have to be like or look like anyone else to be the best version of yourself. With that said, If you don’t like something about yourself before you go for the surgical quick fix, practice root cause analysis. Our root cause analysis workbook will help you discover why you are insecure. Then you can begin to address that because we all have the power to heal, & the best way to start is by being our own surgeons within ourselves.
