Just recently, Good Morning America has reported that liposuction and breast lift are just some of the popular pre-wedding day surgeries for brides who want to look ravishing in their most special moment.

However, non-invasive procedures such as Botox injection, soft tissue fillers, and laser skin resurfacing are also popular among brides-to-be.  The advantage of such treatments is that they no longer have to allot some time for their recovery, which is the tradeoff in cosmetic plastic surgery.

Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili believes that bridalplasty will continue its popularity for the next coming years.  Nonetheless, he said that the patient asking for such procedure should be doing this for the right reasons.

“Cosmetic surgeries, which are elective procedures, should only be given to physically and emotionally healthy patients who want to improve the way they look.  By contrast, those who want to change their appearance just because someone else told them to do so are bad candidates from the very beginning,” Smaili said.

Smaili said that most brides-to-be who are asking for cosmetic plastic surgery view it as a good way to start their married life.

While there is nothing wrong with such belief, the leading cosmetic surgeon has warned people that plastic surgery is not a “quick fix to everything and every physical flaw.”

“A good example is liposuction, a procedure that can permanently remove the excess fats in your abdomen, hips, or any problem area.  However, it doesn’t automatically mean that you will not gain weight.  Yes, its result is permanent—unless you will manage your weight through regular exercise and of course healthy diet,” Smaili said.

Meanwhile, the plastic surgeon highlighted the importance of allotting enough time to rest during recovery.  It simply means that patients have to undergo a cosmetic surgery well in advance of their wedding day to avoid the stress and other factors that may compromise their healing.

“Just to be on the safe side, a patient should ask her doctor on how long it will take before she can resume her daily activities.  The rule of thumb is quite simple, never rush your recovery as it may increase the risk of complications,” he added.

The goals of reconstructive plastic surgery are different from cosmetic procedure as it is conducted to make the patients appear as normal as possible and/or improve body functions.

Because reconstructive surgery is deemed as “medically” necessary (to help people live a more normal life), it is often covered health insurance.  By contrast, cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure so a patient has to shoulder all the expenses.

One of the most common procedures in reconstructive plastic surgery is breast reduction that is used to treat macromastia in which the busts become abnormally large (each breast weighs more than 600 grams).  Women with this condition often suffer from chronic back and shoulder pain because of the excess weight, limited physical activities, irritation along the breast crease and cleavage, and poor body posture.

Because patients with macromastia suffer from chronic physical pain and discomfort, some states even require automatic health coverage for those who are “medically” qualified to undergo breast reduction surgery.

But when breast reduction is performed on patients who are asymptomatic (e.g., they do not experience pain and discomfort) but just want to achieve a more symmetrical figure, it is considered a cosmetic and elective procedure, and as a result, it is not covered by health insurance.

Another common example of a procedure that can be used both in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery is rhinoplasty or nose surgery.

Rhinoplasty is the second most popular cosmetic surgery in the US last year, with about 252,000 patients who had the procedure.  However, this is also given to those who are suffering from breathing difficulty, deformities caused by abnormal nasal growth or birth defect, and irregularities due to accidents.

It is possible to perform cosmetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty at the same time.  For example, a person undergoes a procedure to correct his deviated septum (tissue separating the nostrils) so he can breathe more easily and another one to reduce the size of his bulbous nostrils.

In this case, only the reconstructive part of rhinoplasty is covered by health insurance while the procedure that involves reducing a patient’s nostrils is not because its only purpose is to improve the appearance of the nose.

Perhaps the most notable advancement in liposuction surgery is the tumescent technique in which doctors inject the fatty area with anesthesia-containing solution to make this firmer and swollen, thus leading to a gentler and faster removal of fats.  And since the fluid is also mixed with epinephrine, which constricts the blood vessels, there is almost no bleeding and the risk of toxicity is significantly reduced since the effect of local anesthesia is spread to longer hours.

In fact, the numbing effect of the local anesthesia can last for up to 36 hours which means that patients can avoid additional pain medications during this period.

Aside from making liposuction surgery significantly safer, the tumescent technique provides a smoother result compared to “dry method,” the earliest fat removal treatment in which plastic surgeons do not use any solution to destroy the fats.

Many plastic surgery specialists have abandoned the “dry method” since it involves significant bleeding and higher risk of scarring because it uses larger cannulas or suctioning probe in order to dislodge and remove the fats.

Using larger cannulas also lead to higher risk of uneven appearance since the instruments lack precision unlike fat-suctioning probes which come in smaller sizes.

But with the introduction of tumescent liposuction surgery, it has now become possible to use smaller cannulas with a 1 to 2mm-diameter body which can fit into tiny incisions, thus leading to almost no risk of visible scarring, more precision in removing and dislodging the fats, faster recovery, and less surgical trauma on the surrounding tissue.

In addition, the tumescent solution has also allowed plastic surgeons to collect more amounts of fats without predisposing their patients to a high level of trauma, a main concern in the “dry method.”  But still, many are limiting themselves from collecting more than 3 or 4 liters of fats in a single session just to ensure the safety of their patients.

In case that there is a need to collect more amounts of fats, it has become a standard in plastic surgery to perform more than two liposuction treatments several months apart.

Meanwhile, the introduction of smaller cannulas has also made it possible to use adits, which are small openings in the skin that measure 1 to 2mm.  After performing liposuction, surgeons do not suture the incisions so the anesthesia, blood, and other fluids can be drained out of the body, thus leading to shorter recovery.

People who will lose more than 100 pounds are most likely to develop excess loose skin, pockets of fats, and weakened muscles.  Unfortunately, such problems may not even respond to rigorous exercise and dieting due to several factors.

Massive weight loss patients have more fibrous fats than most average individuals.  For this reason, they will need liposuction prior to skin removal surgery or other body contouring procedures in order to remove the bulges.

Liposuction surgery is only considered as an adjunct procedure since the primary concern of these patients is the excess skin that may lead to non-healing irritation, breakdown of skin, and even foul odor.  To treat this problem, plastic surgeons have to create incisions which are usually placed in the natural creases of the skin or hidden areas so the surgical scars are less noticeable.

But to achieve a long-lasting result after skin removal surgery, it is very crucial that a patient’s weight is normal and has been stable for at least a year.  It is important to note that weight fluctuations can reverse the outcome of the procedure, and performing another surgery will only lead to more scarring and higher risk of complications.

Most plastic surgeons recommend patients to wait at least a year after their weight has stabilized before considering having skin removal surgery and other body contouring procedures.  In this way, their body will have ample time to adapt to the sudden drop of food intake.

Most patients are also nutritionally deficient for at least two years after undergoing a weight loss surgery so waiting for their body to become accustomed to its new size is very crucial.

Once their weight has stabilized for at least a year, massive weight loss patients may already be considered as a candidate for skin removal surgery and its complementary treatments.  But to be on the safe side, doctors will require them to undergo laboratory and physical examination to determine any underlying condition that may predispose them to higher risk.

In case that they are cleared from any major health issue, massive weight loss patients will be required to perform certain pre- and post-operative procedures which usually include the proper diet, medications to avoid and to take, activities, special garments, and caring for their surgical wounds.

Perhaps secretary of state Hillary Clinton is the most perfect example of a politician who seems to have had several plastic surgery procedures.  The rumors are hard to ignore as she looks almost 15 years younger today than when she was still the first lady.

Cosmetic surgery expert Dr. Tarick Smaili, who did not treat Clinton, said that she might have undergone eyelid surgery, neck lift, and face lift possibly complemented with Botox injection.  And with her glowing skin, the surgeon added that she had probably resorted to laser skin resurfacing, chemical peel, or dermabrasion.

If you would look Clinton’s previous photos and television appearance, you might notice that she had wrinkles and prominent crow’s feet in the corners of the eyes, and deep creases across her forehead—problems which can be easily treated with soft tissue fillers and Botox injection.

But nowadays, the secretary of state looks more youthful and rejuvenated.  Gone are the sagging skin in her neck and the undefined jaw line, probably due to face and neck lift.

While facial rejuvenation surgeries are enough to erase up to 15 years off your face, skin resurfacing treatments such as laser, chemical peels, and dermabrasion can further make the countenance more youthful by removing or at least minimizing the appearance of sunspots, fine wrinkles, and skin discoloration.  These treatments are also known to correct the leathery, dry skin caused by too much sun exposure and natural aging.

Although good makeup can also do wonders on one’s face, it would be difficult—if not impossible—to achieve the dramatic improvements in Clinton’s appearance.

While some people may think that cosmetic plastic surgery for politicians is superfluous because they are not expected to look just like a celebrity, some may need this “medical enhancement” particularly if their countenance looks haggard or even angry (even if they are not) because of the sagging skin around their eyes and jaw line.

As superficial as it may sound, several studies have proven that our brains judge a person’s traits based on his face—and an angry or tired look caused by sagging skin may not be good to a politician who must appear likeable, competent, and approachable to voters.

In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved SmartLipo as an effective and relatively safe fat removal treatment for healthy patients who are near their ideal weight.  It is important to note that while this procedure removes the excess fats, this should not be seen as a substitute to regular exercise, healthy diet, or weight loss surgery.

In many cases, this procedure starts by injecting tumescent solution combined with local anesthesia directly to the fatty area in order to make this firmer and swollen, thus making the suctioning process less traumatic to the surrounding tissue.  In this way, plastic surgeons can also significantly minimize bleeding and shorten the operating time.

Once the tumescent solution reaches the fatty areas, doctors will create several small incisions where they can insert a cannula or fat-suctioning probe attached with a laser fiber.  This instrument then liquefies and drains the fat cells with minimal effect on the tissue.  With this, patients can expect less pain, bleeding, and bruising.

Another advantage of this treatment is that it uses smaller instruments to further reduce the risk of visible scarring.  For instance, the SmartLipo cannula only has a diameter of 1mm unlike the one used in a typical fat removal treatment which has a thickness of 3 to 6mm.

Aside from eliminating the excess fats, SmartLipo is also noted for its tightening effect on the skin by promoting the growth of collagen which is the main protein found in the tissue.  But despite this advantage, this plastic surgery procedure does not guarantee to remove or improve the appearance of cellulites.

In treating small pockets of fats in the chin, neck, male breasts, upper arms, and abdomen, many plastic surgeons recommend this procedure.

As with any cosmetic plastic surgery, SmartLipo involves certain risks such as skin discoloration and burns.  To avoid these complications, some doctors are using an infrared thermometer to make sure that the temperature in the skin will not get too high during the procedure.

To date, about 69 million Americans are considered significantly overweight and obese.  And while some of them may try dieting and exercise to shed the extra pounds, it is important to note that only 5 percent will succeed using the traditional weight loss procedures.

For this reason, some patients may have no other option but to undergo weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass, lap band, and bariatric procedure—all of which are designed to force them to consume less amount of food.

While weight loss surgery has been found to be an effective way to shed the extra pound, this usually leads to loose, excess skin especially in the abdomen (or medically referred as pannus) that not just distorts a person’s body but may also lead to foul odor, breakdown of skin, non-healing irritation, and difficulty in moving.

In most cases, massive weight loss patients also suffer from weakened, stretch muscles and exercise-resistant fats in areas particularly the abdomen, inner and outer thighs, neck, chin and jaw line, upper arm, and entire lower trunk.  With this consideration, skin removal surgery is commonly performed in conjunction with liposuction, suturing technique for the loose tissue, and muscle reduction/manipulation.

For people who have shed more than 100 pounds, the excess skin commonly occurs around the entire lower trunk which may even cover their hips, genital area, and a huge portion of their buttocks.  And because of the extensiveness of the problem, plastic surgeons have to perform lower body lift which uses a belt-like incision that travels from the abdomen to the back.

Through the incisions, plastic surgeons can remove the pannus and tighten the weakened muscles.

Aside from the lower trunk, massive weight loss patients also develop excess skin in their upper arms, thigh area, chin and jaw, and “bra line.”

In skin removal surgery, plastic surgeons usually place the incisions in the hidden areas or along the natural creases of the skin so the scars are unnoticeable.  For instance, the excess skin in the upper arms is removed through an excision which extends from the armpit to the elbow and is made in the back or inside of the arm; while the sagging skin in the inner and outer thighs is eliminated with a surgical cut that travels from the butt crease and reaches the groin where the thigh and pubic region meet.

Patients should remember that there are many details which must be considered even before their plastic surgery begins.  In this way, they can avoid possible complications and reduce risks associated with any cosmetic procedure.

To differentiate a good candidate from a high-risk patient, plastic surgeons conduct screening test and consultation which will allow them to know a person’s medical history (including his family’s), prior surgeries, and previous and current medications.

During the initial consultation, patients should bring a list of pharmaceutical medications, vitamins and herbal supplements, and over-the-counter drugs they are currently taking.  In this way, their plastic surgeons can identify which medications should be temporarily stopped.

It is important to note that certain medications can affect a person’s healing ability which may predispose him to delayed healing, infection, skin necrosis (death of skin tissue that may lead to unnecessary scarring), and other serious complications.  For example, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can impede with the natural process of blood clotting; with this consideration, plastic surgery specialists usually require their patients to stop these medications two weeks before and after their operation.

Aside from avoiding certain medications, patients are also advised to quit smoking (and avoid the second-hand smoke) at least two weeks before their surgery.  This is because the nicotine has been found to delay the body’s healing ability by inhibiting the oxygen from reaching the surgical wound.

As a result, smokers usually experience delayed healing that increases their chance of developing skin necrosis, a condition which may lead to infection and unnecessary scarring.

Days before their surgery, patients are advised to buy all the medical garments, accessories, and other things they will need during their recovery period.  Ideally, they should also appoint someone who can be their companion within the first several days of their recuperation.

Meanwhile, plastic surgeons will also provide their patients with a list of post-operative instructions which usually include the proper diet, medications to reduce swelling and other symptoms, compression garments and other medical accessories, activities to avoid (strenuous exercises and heavy lifting), and proper care to the incision site.

By following strictly the pre- and post-operative instructions, patients can significantly reduce the risks associated with cosmetic surgery.

During the first several weeks following plastic surgery, most patients will experience pain and discomfort.  In some cases, they may also have bruising, scarring, and swelling during this period which make it difficult to step out into the public.

Many patients choose to stay in their house as long as the post-operative symptoms are still noticeable.  Fortunately, there are different ways to minimize their appearance and methods that will lead to a faster recovery, according to plastic surgeons.

Camouflage makeup, medical compression garments, and other accessories can serve as “cover-ups” for patients who need to go out.  However, it is important to note that certain accessories also serve as an essential part of recovery in most procedures in plastic surgery.

For example, patients who undergo breast augmentation surgery are advised to wear compression garments that will support the weight of the implants and the new contour of the bust.

These compression garments or medical bras must be worn at all times—even during sleep—for at least a week after surgery.

But for patients who undergo abdominal liposuction, plastic surgeons usually require them to wear these medical accessories for several months to make sure that the skin will have enough time to shrink.

While compression garments are primarily used to support the tissue, these accessories have other important purpose: reduce the risk of hematoma or blood clot and minimize swelling and bruising in the treated area.

To be on the safe side, patients should ask their plastic surgeons on how long they should wear the compression garments and other medical accessories during their recovery period.

Meanwhile, some patients who undergo facelift, rhinoplasty (“nose job”) and eye lift surgery are concerned with the unusual bulging areas, scarring, swelling and bruising during the first few days or weeks of their recovery.  Fortunately, there are manufacturers that offer camouflage makeup to cover these post-operative symptoms.

However, patients should ask their doctors on how to apply camouflage makeup to prevent any complication.  They can also ask their surgeons about the best makeup brands which can conceal the bruising, swelling, and other visible symptoms related to surgery.

In the traditional breast lift, plastic surgeons use three separate incisions that resemble a nautical anchor—one around the perimeter of the areola, another vertical cut from the nipple to the breast crease, and a third one that horizontally covers the crease.

As a less invasive breast lift technique, donut mastopexy uses fewer incisions—just around the circumference of the areola.  In this way, plastic surgery specialists can remove the excess skin around the pigmented part of the breast, raise the nipple to a higher position and reduce its size if necessary, and tighten the tissue.

And because of the limited incisions, patients can of course expect a relatively faster recovery compared to traditional breast lift which uses three extensive incisions.  Another bonus is that this technique usually results to unnoticeable scars because the incision is strategically placed along the edge of the areola.

However, plastic surgeons believe that donut lift only works for women with small to medium breasts that have a mild to moderate sagging.  But for large-busted patients with a more noticeable sagging, this is usually not enough to correct the drooping appearance.

Generally, the result of donut lift does not last a lifetime due to the effects of aging and gravity, although small-busted women can maintain it for many years if they use a good-fitting bra that provides a reliable support and avoid getting pregnant which may weaken and stretch their breast skin and tissue.  Meanwhile, plastic surgeons have noticed that large-breasted women usually see a recurrence of sagginess much faster.

For women with a more pronounced sagging or those who wish to increase their bust size, they can have the donut lift performed in conjunction with breast implant surgery.  If these two plastic surgery procedures are performed at the same time, most doctors place the implants under the chest muscles so that a thicker amount of tissue and skin can support them, thus preventing or at least postponing the sagginess in the future.

As with any plastic surgery, the donut lift does involve risks such as asymmetrical or “puckery” appearance, unnecessary scarring, and delayed healing.  For such reasons, patients should only consult with a doctor who has extensive experience with the procedure and has board certifications from reputable medical groups.