Is Plastic Surgery Permanent?

What Does the Durability of Plastic Surgery depend on?

Plastic surgery is a procedure that involves reconstructing or repairing body parts. This is performed by taking tissue from one area and using it to reconstruct the area undergoing surgery. Patients undergo this surgery either to treat injuries or for aesthetic purposes.

With the increasing popularity of plastic surgery, patients are questioning its longevity and whether these cosmetic changes will last forever or not. 

The result after surgery will last on the basis of the durability of the procedure, the lifestyle of an individual, and other factors. Where certain surgeries have long-lasting results, others may require follow-up treatments. 

Factors Leading to Durability of Plastic Surgery Results

Let us discuss the factors under which the results of plastic surgeries last for a long time:

• Age and Skin Type of Patient: In the case of younger patients, since the skin has higher elasticity, the treatment tends to have long-lasting results.  
• Lifestyle: Surgical outcomes have an impact on unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, sun exposure, and significant weight fluctuations.
• Procedure: Plastic surgeries that involve surgical procedures tend to last longer than non-surgical ones. 

Plastic surgeries include various procedures, both cosmetic and reconstructive. They are long-lasting but not permanent. As a person starts to age naturally, over a period of time, the changes are noticeable in their appearance. However, you can expect the results of this procedure to last a maximum of up to a decade. 

Follow-up Procedure 

This process is a maintenance procedure to retain the aesthetic of the existing surgery. However, if there are other treatments that patients require, such as:

• Skincare Regimens: The outcome of facial surgery can be retained through proper skincare practices.
• Non-Surgical Procedures: One can opt for Botox or fillers along with a follow-up procedure for an existing surgery.

Permanent Plastic Surgery Procedures

There are certain procedures that seem to give results that are close to permanent. Let us know more:

• Breast Augmentation: This involves placing saline or silicone implants to enhance breast size. Breast implants will last between 10 to 20 years, with some lasting longer based on individual factors. Regular monitoring is important to assess implant integrity. Usually, women keep it for decades without any follow-up surgery. About 25% of women opt for a follow-up procedure after 10 years for scar correction.
• Rhinoplasty: It is a surgical process under which medical professionals correct the functioning and shape of a patient's nose. After surgery, it can take up to a year to see the final result. The factors affecting its shape are ageing and gravity. Rhinoplasty results are generally permanent; however, natural ageing can subtly alter nasal appearance over time.  
• Otoplasty: This surgery focuses on correcting the shape of the ear cartilage. The duration of this procedure does not go beyond 2 hours, and the results are permanent. There might be a requirement for recurrent surgery, but in most cases, one does not need to worry about it. 

Safe Temporary Surgery

As a patient manifests ageing, the aesthetics of surgery also tend to change. Certain surgeries give permanent results, but they are also affected by age. Here is a list of such procedures that are safe but provide temporary outcomes due to ageing:
Microdermabrasion: This procedure treats the skin by removing the dead cells from the topmost layer of the skin. It is non-invasive in nature.

• Laser Skin Resurfacing: This focuses on improving the texture of the skin and its appearance. This procedure requires being minimally invasive.
• Botox and Fillers: This involves no surgery and requires the least time for recovery.

Common Side Effects of Plastic Surgery

It is essential to consider the risks linked with plastic surgery to prepare for it adequately:

• Swelling and Bruising: You can use ice packs or cold pressure to reduce swelling during the recovery process.
• Scarring: It is a natural part of the healing process. However, this can be reduced by proper aftercare.
• Pain and Discomfort: Use a medical prescription made by a surgeon to deal with such discomfort.

The outcome of plastic surgery depends on multiple factors, and it cannot be estimated accurately. However, its longevity depends on the type of surgery you undergo.