Cosmetic surgery: Before & after

Cosmetic surgery may once have been the domain of the rich and famous, but its popularity continues to grow. Diet, exercise, healthy lifestyles and non-surgical procedures can have a positive impact on people's appearance, but in  2008, more than 34,000 cosmetic procedures were carried out in the UK, compared to just under 11,000 in 2003. Cosmetic surgery is rarely available through the NHS unless there are overriding physical or psychological reasons, so most people have treatment privately. Learn about the most popular procedures and see the results in the slides ahead.

Nose Job: Before & After

The nose job or rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures. A skilled surgeon can reshape noses that seem too big or wide for the face, that have a bump on the nasal bridge or that are crooked or off-centre (either naturally or due to injury.) This is one operation that is very popular, but doctors recommend waiting until after the age of 16 as until this age the nose is still growing. Major complications are rare, and recovery takes one to three weeks.

Eyelid surgery: Before & after

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, can address a variety of concerns, from droopy upper eyelids to bags beneath the lower lids. Excess skin and fat are removed through small incisions to create tighter, smoother eyelids. Fat may also be transferred from one spot to another to reduce bags or puffiness. Recovery takes about a week and the incisions rarely leave noticeable scars.   

Neck Lift: Before & After

A neck lift, or platysmaplasty, can improve the loose look of sagging skin in the neck area. Loose bands of tissue or "turkey wattle" are caused by weakened neck muscles. A surgeon can correct this problem by adjusting and removing muscles in the neck. Liposuction in conjunction with a neck lift can remove excess fat. As with any surgery, there is a small risk of infection. Recovery takes up to two weeks.

Facelift: Before & after

The facelift uses various techniques to create a smoother, more youthful face. Through incisions around the ear, a surgeon removes excess skin and manipulates the deeper layers of tissue and muscle to tighten the face. While rare, risks include infection and injury to underlying tissue. Facelifts are no longer one of the top five cosmetic operations. They're losing ground to less invasive options, such as injectable fillers and laser therapies.

Laser skin resurfacing: Before & after

Instead of the scalpel, some patients choose to address facial imperfections with a laser. Laser skin resurfacing uses intense pulsating beams of light to vapourise superficial, damaged skin cells. As the outer layers of skin are removed, fine lines and blemishes disappear. Laser resurfacing works especially well on sun-damaged skin and acne scars, as seen here. Depending on the type of laser used, recovery takes one to two weeks.

Hair transplant: Before & after

Half of men and many women will experience some degree of hair loss as they age. Typically, hair remains thick on the side or back of the head. This allows a surgeon to transfer small amounts of hair to the bald or thinning area, where it takes root. Today's hair transplants are nothing like the "doll hair" look of decades past. Hundreds of micrografts, each containing one to three hairs, are implanted in a natural pattern.

Arm lift: Before & after

Keeping the triceps toned is a challenge as we age, especially for women. When the battle is lost, the result may be "bingo wings" - extra skin and fat dangling from the upper arms. A procedure called brachioplasty can fix this. The operation tightens the under portion of the arm between the armpit and elbow by removing excess skin and fat. It will leave a permanent scar on the inner-back-side of the arm.

Liposuction: Before & after

Liposuction is one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery. Using a suction device, the surgeon removes small bulges of fat from the tummy, thighs, hips or buttocks. Liposuction permanently removes fat cells and can alter body shape. But the NHS warns the remaining fat cells can grow larger, so weight loss is not necessarily permanent if you continue to lead an unhealthy lifestyle after the procedure. Risks include infection, scarring, numbness or skin discolouration.

Tummy tuck: Before & after

Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck is major surgery. Also called abdominoplasty, the procedure surgically removes excess fat and tightens muscles in the abdomen. The operation can take several hours and usually leaves a permanent scar. A tummy tuck is not recommended for people who are still planning to lose a lot of weight or for women who may become pregnant in the future.

Breast implants: Before & after

Breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic procedure performed on women in the UK. Some 8,000 women a year have breast implants to make their breasts larger or for reconstructive purposes. Saline or silicone gel implants are used- the patient chooses the size she wants. To place the implants inside the breast, a surgeon makes an incision in the armpit, areola, or lower breast fold. The procedure is minimally invasive, but has some risks.

Breast reduction: Before & after

While it's more common for women to seek larger breasts, breast reduction is also a popular procedure. Fat, tissue, and skin are surgically removed from the breast to achieve the desired size. This reduction can relieve neck and back pain in women with large, heavy breasts. Risks include a change or loss in nipple sensation and difficulty breastfeeding.

Choosing a surgeon

If you choose to go forward, it's important to have realistic expectations and a surgeon you trust. Check online that your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council. Experts recommend you find someone with a surgical qualification, registered in the UK, ideally with a specialist qualification in cosmetic surgery. You should always ask about their experience in the procedure and make sure the doctor thoroughly explains all risks and benefits. Most importantly, tell your surgeon exactly what results you hope to achieve.

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