Everyone has a different story to tell, but what should you believe, and what not?

Many people think really hard before going under the knife and they search for as much information as they could about the procedure. However, we all know there are too many junks on the Internet, and myths are everywhere. Therefore, it is important to decide which information should be trusted, and which should be laughed at.

Liposuction is one procedure that has a long list of myths. Some people think the fat can, and will, come back after liposuction. However, according to plastic surgeon Dr Charles Spenler, fat does not come back after liposuction. “When you are born you don’t produce any more fat cells. The fat cells you have just get bigger or smaller depending on your weight. Once the fat cells are removed they’re gone forever. If you gain weight it is going to be distributed more equally through all the fat cells. What we do in liposuction is reduce the number of fat cells in those areas that are genetically predetermined to have a lot of fat.”

However, the weight gain after liposuction is possible if the patient does not maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes healthy dietary habits and regular exercise. This weight gain has nothing to do with liposuction – it would occur with or without liposuction if you eat more than you use. This is only because your fat cells grow in size, but not in number.

Plastic surgeon Dr Magarita Benett states, “If you are not careful with eating a healthy, balance diet, and instead are eating a lot of fats and carbohydrates – what you would call junk food – weight gain can occur. However, an adult does not produce more fat cells.”

Dr Bennett also says that liposuction is not a cure-all for poor dietary habits or inactivity but it definitely can contour the body. “It can motivate people to lose weight and can remove areas that are resistant to weight loss. But it cannot replace the health benefits of regular exercise and a healthy diet.”

Another popular myth is that women with breast implants cannot breastfeed. The truth is they can. In fact, some women find it even easier to breastfeed with implants. The implants have little interference with the milk ducts which reside directly under the skin and in the tissue above the muscle of the breast. However, as with everything in science, complications might occur. Still, there are many women who have had placement of implant and incision in sub-optimal locations, and are still very successful with breastfeeding.

It is good to seek information online, but it is more important to voice your concerns with your doctor because most doctors know about the procedures and complications. What’s more, every person is different, so what is safe for one person might be unsafe for another, so it is better to discuss with the doctor to find out what’s best for you.

Breast implants today come in a great variety. Which option is the best for you?

Breast augmentation has been around for years, and just like anything else in this world, it has evolved greatly over the time. Today, patients are met with so many types of implants, and they have to choose very carefully which one they want because the implants are meant to stay inside the body for life.

Most implants are silicone elastomer-shelled. Other substances are filled into these shells. A cohesive silicone filled implant’s life is averaged at 16 years while saline implants are said to last approximately 10-12 years.

Saline-filled silicone-shelled implants are the most common type. These implants come in many surfaces and shapes to fit the patient’s need. Cohesive silicone-filled silicone-shelled implants might cause problems to some patients with extra sensitivity but many patients are happy with the results. Cohesive silicone gel implants have a distinct shape and are not as subject to gravity as other types. Hydrogel breast implants are said to feel very much like natural breast tissue. They are not available in the United States yet but are widely used in Europe at present.

Each material is distinctive and it is advised that the patients should do their homework beforehand. Find out information about risks, pros and cons, including chances of rupture and leakage, costs, possible complications, how long they will last, and so on. The surgeon should be able to explain the differences between each type and help you decide which one is the best option.

Material is not the only issue to consider. Since every patient is different, breast implants should be as customized as possible so that the new breasts suit the person and preference. Other things that should be considered include the size, texture, and shape of the implants.

Breast implants should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which means you should be satisfied with the results after just one operation. Therefore, you should be extra careful and make sure you will get what you need, because fixing it is going to cost money, waste your time and put you through unnecessary pain. Choosing the right surgeon and the right implants will leave you happy with your new breasts for life, or at least for many years.

Fuller backside is back in business again

The definition of beauty changes all the time, from full-figured ladies in the renaissance period to rake-thin supermodels of the twentieth century. Stick-thin model-like figure is now ousted as it promotes anorexia and other eating disorders among women. Now the trend is opting for a healthier body image – toned and well-proportioned.

These days, full figured curvy ladies are certainly considered top beauties as opposed to skinny. Many superstars are famous for their round hips. Puerto Rican singer/actress Jennifer Lopez, along with many other famous Latino beauties, has sparked a new craze in cosmetic surgery — buttock enlargement or Gluteoplasty.

Those who desire a more beautiful, rounded, or firmly shaped backside can now realize their dreams by undergoing buttock enlargement surgery. This procedure, designed to enhance the size of the buttocks, can be done by using solid or cohesive silicone implants or the patient’s own body fat (fat transfer). The implant is placed between the thick, white connective tissue called the fascia and the muscle itself. The implants are placed above the sitting area so you never actually sit on them. Once the implants are placed, five- or six-centimeter vertical incisions will be made where the cheek meets the back of the thigh. Very little bleeding is expected. The procedure takes about two or three hours.

Following the surgery, patients must avoid sitting on the buttocks until healed. There will be pain, bruising and some discomfort during the recovery period. Buttock implant patients will not be able to lie on their backs for about two weeks. Wearing a compression garment is recommended to hold down swelling.

Initially, the implants are quite high on the buttock as the area is still swollen. Patients are encouraged to do stretching exercise immediately after surgery and perform the exercise five times a day with a repetition of five times to promote healing. It will take at least three months for all the swelling to subside and for the implants to settle into their normal position.

Contrary to popular belief, bigger doesn’t always mean better

The human body is at its best shape when everything is in balance. While some women would give up just about anything to have larger breasts, some well-endowed women wish to get rid of theirs to win back the proportionate torso.

Women with very large breasts may experience difficulties caused by the excessive weight such as back and neck pain and breathing problems. Larger breasts tend to be saggy and do not appear very attractive. Supportive bras come with big straps that may in turn leave indentations in the shoulders. Most importantly, oversized breasts can make a woman feel extremely self-conscious about herself.

This is where breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) steps in. It is a surgical procedure that removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. The goal is to give the woman smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body.

Breast reduction is not a simple operation, but when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, it is normally safe. Breast reduction plastic surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Before the surgery, surgical markings will be drawn on your breasts and the incision is made along the surgical markings.

After the procedure, the incisions and tissue movement will cause your breasts to be sore, swollen, and bruised but there will not be noticeable, permanent scars. Breast-feeding may not be possible in the future since the surgery removes many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples. Pain can be treated by a prescription from your plastic surgeon. You can expect to wear bandages for about two days after surgery. Activity should be kept to a minimum for a week or two and heavy lifting or pushing should be avoided for three or four weeks.

Breast reduction can also benefit men with gynecomastia - an enlargement of one or both breasts. The procedure is not entirely similar to women’s breast reduction but the two procedures share a lot of similarities. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations, and discuss them frankly with your plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon can provide enough information specific to your circumstances. It is best to study risks and possible complications beforehand and make sure you follow your surgeon’s advice for your own benefit.