You might be scrolling through Instagram while sipping your coffee when you suddenly come across a headline: “This celebrity just got a new cosmetic surgery!”
Some appreciate, some criticise, and some just keep scrolling. Whether it’s right or wrong isn’t really for you to decide; by the end of the day, it’s a personal choice between a person and their doctor.
But,
Do you actually know what cosmetic surgery is all about? Also, do you know the 5 most popular types of cosmetic surgeries compared to others?
If you do know, well, keep reading to know.
Read Also: How Much Does Cosmetic Surgery Cost?
What is Cosmetic Surgery?
Imagine standing in front of a mirror. Sometimes you might feel absolutely fine, but other days, there might be something about your reflection that you would like to change. Maybe your nose looks a little bigger than you’d like, maybe you’ve always wanted a sharper jawline, or have extra skin that just doesn’t go away.This is where cosmetic surgery plays a part. It’s a medical procedure to enhance, reshape, or refine the way you look. It is not meant to treat a disease.
Yes, you should have body positivity, and if you are confident in yourself, then there is nothing to change. But if you want to, then you do not need to be embarrassed about it or fear being judged. Cosmetic surgery isn’t about “fixing” you (because you’re not broken!); instead, it’s a method that can help you feel more at home in your own skin.
Now, let's explore popular cosmetic surgeries.
Also Read: Cosmetic vs Reconstructive Plastic Surgery: What’s the Difference?
Top 5 Most Popular Cosmetic Surgeries
Given below are the popular cosmetic surgeries as compared to other ones:1. Liposuction
Liposuction, also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoplasty'. It’s a body contouring cosmetic surgery procedure. It is not a weight-loss solution.It removes stubborn fat deposits from specific areas (stomach, hips, thighs, arms, chin, back, chest, buttocks) of the body that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. A thin tube (cannula) and suction are used to permanently remove fat cells.
What to Expect
- Before Liposuction: Consultation with the surgeon for proper medical review (history as well). Proper instructions will be given.
- During Liposuction
- Local or general anesthesia
- Small incisions are made
- A thin tube (or cannula) loosens and pulls out fat.
- Procedure time depends on the areas targeted.
- After Liposuction
- Swelling, bruising, and soreness are normal
- You’ll require compression garments for recovery
- Recovery time is about 4–6 weeks
- The final outcome shows that once swelling goes down.
2. Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is also known as augmentation mammoplasty. It is a surgery to increase breast size by placing implants (saline or silicone) under the breast tissue or chest muscles. It enhances size and shape and even restores breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss.Note: Implants don’t last a lifetime (usually 10+ years) and do not prevent sagging.
What to Expect
- Before Breast Augmentation: You’ll meet with a plastic surgeon to discuss the size, shape, and type of implants. Note all the instructions.
- During Breast Augmentation
- Anaesthesia is used
- An incision is made in one of three spots to create a pocket
- The implant is inserted (saline-filled after placement or silicone pre-filled).
- The incision is closed with stitches and bandaged
- After Breast Augmentation
- You can experience swelling, soreness, and bruising for a few weeks
- A support bra or compression garment helps with healing
- Pain relief pills may be prescribed
- Recovery time: 1 to 4 weeks; but full recovery might need more time
3. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
It is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. It flattens and smooths the stomach area.Note: This is not a weight-loss procedure; however, it helps reshape the body after significant weight loss, pregnancy, ageing changes or previous surgeries.
What to Expect
- Before Abdominoplasty: Consultation with a plastic surgeon: discuss goals, exam, medical history, and photos taken.
- During Abdominoplasty
- Usually outpatient
- Done under general anaesthesia
- Incisions are made
- As discussed, excess skin and fat are removed; muscles may be tightened, and the belly button may be repositioned
- Incisions are closed and bandaged
- Surgery can take 1 to 5 hours, depending on the extent
- After Abdominoplasty
- Soreness, swelling, bruising, and abdominal tightness are common
- Pain medicine prescribed
- Follow the strict recovery instructions
- Avoid lifting and heavy exercise
- Can return to light work in about 1–2 weeks. Full healing takes 3 months; scars improve for up to a year
4. Rhytidectomy (Facelift)
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery that is done to improve visible signs of ageing in the face and neck. It includes tightening muscles, repositioning sagging skin/fat, and helping remove excess skin and a double chin.Note: A facelift surgery cannot prevent the ageing process or fix surface wrinkles, sun damage, or skin colour irregularities.
What to Expect
- Before Rhytidectomy: Discussion with your board-certified plastic surgeon about medical exams, photos, and review of medications and lifestyle factors.
- During Rhytidectomy
- Many procedures are outpatient
- Done under general anesthesia/IV sedation
- Incision is done depending on the type of facelift
- The surgeon lifts and repositions tissues and removes excess skin or fat.
- Incisions closed with sutures or skin glue.
- Surgery time varies
- After Rhytidectomy
- Bruising, swelling, and tightness for 2–3 weeks are common
- Bandages and possibly small drainage tubes can be used
- Pain pills may be prescribed
- Follow-up visits to remove sutures and observe healing
- Avoid strenuous activity for ~3 weeks
- 2–3 months for full recovery
5. Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
A Brazilian butt lift removes fat from areas like the stomach, hips, or thighs (via liposuction). Then the surgeon purifies the fat and reinjects it into the buttocks to add volume, shape, and contour to your butt. It is also known as fat grafting to the buttocks or safe subcutaneous buttock augmentation (SSBA).Note: Despite its name, it’s not a skin “lift” like a facelift; it doesn’t fix sagging or loose skin.
What to Expect
- Before Brazilian Butt Lift: Detailed consultation with a plastic surgeon about your goals and body shape. Review of your medical history and an important guideline discussion.
- During Brazilian Butt Lift
- Usually done under general anaesthesia
- Your surgeon will make small incisions in the chosen fat areas
- Fat is suctioned with a cannula
- Sucked fat is purified
- Multiple small incisions are made around the buttocks
- Hundreds of millilitres of purified fat (≈300–500 cc per side) are injected into the buttocks (usually in the upper areas, some in the middle).
- Incisions are stitched and covered.
- After Brazilian Butt Lift
- Wrapped in a compression garment for healing
- Do not sit or lie on your butt for at least 2 weeks
- Sleep on your side or stomach
- Use a special pillow for sitting (but start after a few weeks)
- Avoid strenuous activity or exercise for 4–6 weeks
- Full recovery may take 2–3 months
- Pain, bruising, swelling, and fluid drainage are normal. They will gradually improve.
