5 Myths About Plastic Surgery, Debunked

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When you’re considering having a cosmetic procedure, you’ll want to go in as confidently as possible. Knowing what’s fact and fiction about plastic surgery is a great way to prepare. We’ve compiled a list of the top five myths about plastic surgery, giving you the bare truths to help you set your expectations.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Myth #1: Plastic surgery makes everyone look “Fake”

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about plastic and cosmetic surgery — and it couldn’t be further from the truth. There are near-endless options available that allow you to fully customize your look, making the result as natural or as finished as you want it to be.

There’s two things to consider in regards to this common misconception. Firstly, some people want the “cosmetic” look. In some cultures, it is a symbol of wealth and status, which is often the underlying current in many beauty standards.

But consider that for the majority of cases, especially if the work was done well by a skilled, board-certified cosmetic surgeon, most people can’t tell at all. Typically, that’s the goal.

Ultimately, the goal of any cosmetic surgery or procedure is to allow your personal definition of beauty to shine through and to make you feel confident. Options in the industry are designed to allow you to do that in an accessible and convenient way.

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Myth #2: Getting breast implants means you can’t breastfeed

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One common question among breast implant clients: Can you breastfeed with implants? Getting breast implants shouldn’t limit your ability to breastfeed if you choose to have a child after having your procedure. Many surgeons make their incisions for implants under the fold of the breast or through the armpit, fully protecting your lactation duct system for future use. The only possible risk that could affect your ability to breastfeed is if your surgeon cuts through the areola, as this could compromise some of your milk ducts.
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Myth #3: Plastic surgery is vain

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While many do use plastic surgery as a way to help them pursue their own standard of beauty, that doesn’t mean it’s vain — that means it’s empowering. Life is short, and people should feel confident in their skin. Many opt to reach this point using surgery and procedures — and are well within their right to do so.

Considering that there is still some degree of stigma around having cosmetic procedures (though that has fallen precipitously over the last decade), those electing to have plastic surgery are to some degree, doing what feels right to them and disregarding what other people think they “should” do. More power to them.

Not all work is done for confidence, however. There are plenty of other practical reasons that people pursue plastic surgery.

For example, many consider a cosmetic procedure if they are working to recover from past trauma or physical changes, such as pregnancy or rapid weight loss or gain. Surgery is a way to bring about quick results to support one’s physical and mental health, which can be healing and life-changing for many who wish to reclaim and “own” their bodies.

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Myth #4: Plastic surgery is dangerous

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Many people considering cosmetic surgery have a back-of-mind fear that what they are doing is dangerous. This can be normal, as you’re considering procedures that could create tremendous change in your life. However, risks are generally minimal.

While it’s true that risks can be associated with any surgery or procedure, the incidences are rare, especially if you go to a credentialed and skilled surgeon for your care. Data published in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery affirms this, stating that poor outcomes affect just 1% of those pursuing cosmetic surgery, on average.*

“Botched” cosmetic surgery is also a risk many fear. Those outcomes are extremely rare. The risk of having adverse outcomes can be significantly reduced by being selective with your provider and being explicitly clear about what your end goal is. Every surgeon within the Bliss Network of Providers has been independently verified to be board-certified, experienced, and have a good track record with past clients before they are allowed in the Bliss Network, so you can be confident you are in skilled hands that can deliver the results you want.Breast implant surgeries are not inherently dangerous.

Only 400 reports have been filed reporting negative outcomes as a possible result of breast surgery over the past 60 years, while approximately 1.6 million breast augmentation procedures were done in 2021 alone. This means that the risk is minimal, especially if you follow best practices following your procedure. That means that fewer than 1 out of 10,000 clients have complications as a result of having a breast augmentation.

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Myth #5: Plastic surgery is for women

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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released a report that highlighted the prevalence of plastic surgery for men in the modern day, stating that 2,295,722 procedures and surgeries were done for men in 2020 alone.

This is nearly a double increase from the 2018-2019 procedure count of 1.3 million, cited in recent reports. We expect to see the number trending upward in the future.

*This study evaluated 26,032 cases over a 23-year period of time. There were just 203 complications out of that population, equating to .78% on average. This led to the author's conclusion listed above. Risk factors for negative outcomes noted in this study included longer operating times, complicated procedures, and higher body mass index scores.

Thinking about making a change? Bliss works to connect you to experts for your plastic surgery needs, empowering you with the resources and support you need to successfully take the next step forward in your self-love journey.

Are you ready to find your own version of Bliss? We’re here to help. Take our short questionnaire about your beauty goals, and book a free, no-commitment consultation with a Bliss Care Advisor to learn more.

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