"Cosmetic surgery changes a person's unwanted, normal appearance," says Professor Simon Kay, consultant plastic surgeon and vice-chairman of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).
“If someone is born with a large nose, this is still normal, but they might feel it is undesirable.”
Surgery to change your appearance carries the same risks as any surgery. It's important to think carefully before deciding to have it. The article Cosmetic surgery: is it right for you may help.
"The most common cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK is breast augmentation [enlargement or enhancement]," says Professor Kay. "After that, I would say the most popular procedure is eyelid surgery, or some form of facial rejuvenation [making the face look younger]."
Other procedures include rhinoplasty (nose job), liposuction (removal of unwanted fat by surgical vacuum) and abdominoplasty (removing skin and fat from the abdomen, also known as a tummy tuck).
Can people benefit from cosmetic surgery?
For some, cosmetic surgery is not a health issue. "It is a lifestyle choice for many people," says Simon Kay.
Anyone who is having surgery for cosmetic reasons must understand that surgery won't solve life's problems. But, according to Professor Kay, some people find that cosmetic surgery benefits their health by improving their self-esteem.
"Some people can become very troubled by their natural and normal appearance," he says. "We know that it can contribute to depression or low self-esteem, so there are health benefits of surgery for people like this."
Is cosmetic surgery safe?
Cosmetic surgery is not risk-free, and carries the same general risks as all surgery, including infection and blood clots, as well as risks associated with the specific procedure. “There's also the risk of wound infection, bleeding and scarring, but these are rarely life-threatening or long-term,” says Professor Kay.
After cosmetic surgery, there will be bruising and swelling, which can take weeks or months to go down, depending on the procedure. Some procedures, for example, anything involving an implant, will require antibiotics.
A responsible surgeon will make sure that you have appropriate follow-up care. This might include a wound inspection a week after the operation, and a check-up at six weeks.
BAPRAS warns that not everyone carrying out cosmetic surgery has been trained as a plastic surgeon. Read more about choosing a properly qualified surgeon.
Is cosmetic surgery painful?
Surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. Patients might need morphine for pain relief after some procedures.
“A lot of the operations aren’t painful,” says Professor Kay. “With rhinoplasty it’s very unusual to have pain. Breast or abdominal surgery has a bit more pain."
Is cosmetic surgery available on the NHS?
No, but in some cases a local primary care trust might decide that the surgery is necessary to protect someone’s health.
For example, the NHS might pay for a breast reduction operation if the weight of a woman's breasts was causing her back problems.
Reconstructive surgery can be available on the NHS. This is surgery to restore a person's normal appearance after illness, accident or a birth anomaly.
It includes procedures such as rebuilding breasts after a mastectomy, or repairing a cleft palate (when the two sides of the roof of the mouth don't join properly).
