Our Increasing Obsession with Plastic Surgery:
Are Unusual Plastic Surgery Procedures Becoming the Norm?
As more and more people are seeking out cosmetic procedures for a nip here and a tuck there, plastic surgery procedures that may have once seemed unusual appear to be becoming more mainstream. Consider the following procedures:
- Belly Button Reshaping (Umbilicoplasty): Umbilicoplasty is sometimes performed to change an “outie” to an “innie,” but is also used to make the belly button more shallow or diamond shaped. The procedure involves making an incision around the belly button, tucking some skin inside, then sewing it back up.
- Toe Shortening or Lengthening: Toe shortening is performed to shorten toes that may hang over the edge of open-toed shoes. Toe lengthening is done to enhance the look of stubby toes. For shortening, an incision is made, and some of the bone is shaved. For lengthening, a hole is drilled in the top of the toe and a metal rod is inserted.
- Butt Implants (Buttock augmentation): Buttock augmentation is a type of cosmetic surgery to enlarge, lift, and reshape the buttocks. Implants are placed through a single incision over the tailbone.
- Labial Reduction (Labiaplasty): Labiaplasty is a cosmetic procedure that reduces the size of the labia. Small incisions are made and excess tissue is removed.
- Eyebrow Transplantation: Eyebrow transplantation is a cosmetic procedure to enhance thinning eyebrows. A small strip of hair is taken from the back of the scalp, divided into individual hair follicles, and transplanted in the eyebrow area.
Many of these procedures are still controversial, and not all are being performed by qualified plastic surgeons. If you are considering undergoing any plastic surgery procedure, talk to a board certified plastic surgeon before making a final decision.