The Real Deal on Plastic Surgery

11 Popular Procedures

Among the most popular cosmetic surgeries or procedures are these:

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) A major surgical procedure in which surgeons remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tighten abdominal muscles. The procedure can dramatically flatten a protruding abdomen.

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) A procedure that can reduce puffy "bags" under the eyes and remove droopy, loose skin hanging down from upper eyelids. The surgery can be performed to add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, but it will not erase evidence of racial heritage.

Botox (Botulinum Toxin Injection) Unlike injectable fillers, which add volume to plump up wrinkles, Botox is injected into a muscle, blocking nerve signals that make the muscle contract. This weakens or paralyzes the muscle, causing the wrinkle to smooth out or disappear.

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) A surgical procedure that reduces flabby, loose skin in the upper inner arm.

Breast Augmentation (Breast Enlargement) The second most popular cosmetic surgical procedure after liposuction, this procedure enhances the size and shape of breasts. Breast augmentation is also performed to balance a difference in breast size or as a reconstructive procedure following breast surgery.

Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty) Breast reduction can change the size, weight, firmness, and shape of breasts. Of all body image changes, patients report that breast reduction has in the quickest results.

Chemical Skin Peel Designed to clear up the skin's imperfections -- such as sun damage, uneven pigmentation, fine wrinkles, lesions, and growths -- by peeling away the top layers of skin.

Facelift A facelift is a surgical procedure used to remove wrinkles and sagging of the face caused by age.

Injectable Fillers A doctor injects a substance into wrinkles or creases to add volume or plump them up and make them less noticeable.

Lipoplasty (Liposuction) The removal of fat using suction. First introduced in the United States in the early 1980s, many refinements have been added to make the procedure safer and to provide more precise results with quicker recovery times.

Rhinoplasty (Nose-Reshaping Surgery) A procedure to alter the size, shape, and angle of the nose to enhance its appearance. The procedure may also be performed to correct breathing problems, chronic congestion, and deformity caused by injury, disease, or birth defect.