Plastic Surgery Overview

Why do people get plastic surgery? Generally, there are many reasons influencing the decision about plastic and reconstructive surgery. Before we present the reasons why plastic surgery is good, we must make our readers aware of 3 main concerns that should never be the factors triggering the decision about plastic surgery.

They include:

• pleasing another person – people should never change their body to please someone else and to make others happy; it should always be their personal choice and if they have some thoughts about plastic surgery to make someone else satisfied, they should work on self-confidence, self-assertion and have a think whether a person pushing them towards a plastic surgery deserves having a relation with them;
• looking like an idol or a celebrity – plastic surgeries will never make us look as someone else; some people dream about looking like a famous singer or having a nose like a favourite actress, etc, but a role of plastic surgeries is to make people look more attractive, younger, slimmer, but never to make them look like someone else; if we have problems with self-acceptance and dream about looking like others, we may have some psychological problems and should sort this out with a psychologist, not a plastic surgeon;
• losing weight – it concerns such surgeries as liposuction, body lift, or tummy tuck – some people may think that skin or fat removal will make them lose weight and replace a traditional diet or exercising. It is totally wrong thinking – even if plastic surgery removes the fat, it will never substitute for weight loss. In fact, overweight and obese people may get disqualified from plastic surgery and be advised to lose weight firstly. If someone has problems with his/her weight, plastic surgery is not a good solution, people in such a situation may consider weight loss surgery (if their BMI exceeds 35) or just go on a diet and exercise regularly.

There are many reasons that people want plastic surgery, but this decision must be always deliberate

So, why do people have plastic surgery? There may be hundreds of good reasons for having the surgery and in fact, they may vary depending on the surgery type, e.g. people wanting belly liposuction have different reasons than people wanting nose corrections. However, below we present the popular reasons why people have plastic surgery:

• setting back the ageing process – ageing and sun exposure make our faces wrinkled, the lines become more distinct and the skin loses elasticity, thanks to some facial plastic surgeries these ageing signs can be removed and inhibited;
• addressing injuries which cause disfigurement – due to some accidents, the body parts may get deformed, the reconstructive plastic surgery is often the only effective solution here;
• removing the fat storage – sometimes the body accumulates fat in some areas and even if we eat healthily and exercise, we may find it impossible to lose fat from specific body parts, such a stubborn fat may be removed effectively by plastic surgery;
• skin tightening – skin loosening is a natural process, there are plastic surgeries which allows for an effective skin tightening;
• body changes after pregnancy – the women’s bodies change after pregnancy – it concerns belly, breasts, or private parts and plastic surgeries allow for bringing back the former body look;
• body changes after weight loss – when people lose dozens or even hundreds of kilograms, they struggle with kilograms of loose skin which may be removed only surgically;
• medical problems – if people have a deviated septum, rhinoplasty may help fix it, or if a woman’s big breasts cause some back problems, breast reduction is medically recommended; it is also worth mentioning that when plastic surgery solves some medical conditions, patients may do it within the NHS or insurance;
• improving social life – imagine a teenager with protruding ears who is put down in school or a fit masculine man with enlarged breasts who cannot dare taking off a shirt – these are body problems that have a huge influence on our life among other people and socializing, plastic surgery can solve the physical imperfections, but more importantly, it restores the confidence and self-esteem and positively changes the social life;
• addressing body complexes – we all have them, and sometimes we are so ashamed of some body parts that we cannot even look in the mirror; plastic surgery for these reasons not only improves the body look but also restores self-acceptance, self-esteem, and improves our life-quality.

Reconstructive surgery aims to repair body parts with defects. This kind of surgery is mostly done for medical reasons

Looking at the reasons for plastic surgery from the other perspective, we can differentiate between reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries – both types of surgeries improve the body look, but they address different imperfections.

Below, we elaborate on these types of plastic surgeries. 

Reconstructive surgery

Generally, reconstructive surgery is a less common procedure than purely cosmetic surgery. However, there are still almost one million reconstructive procedures done each year. So, what is reconstructive plastic surgery? The reconstructive plastic surgery aims at repairing the body parts with some defects, the word “reconstructive” reflects rebuilding something that has been destroyed or damaged. What is characteristic of these procedures is that they are done for medical reasons. The defects that can be treated by a plastic surgery may result from an infection, injuries or accidents, disease, tumors, birth defects, or developed abnormalities

There are some types of reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, the most frequent of which affect:

• breasts (there are breast plastic reconstructive surgery e.g. after mastectomy or breast reduction)
• limbs reconstruction
• face (e.g. face reconstruction after a trauma or tumor removal or orthognathic surgery)
• hands (hand surgery may improve function, flexibility or strength in the hands, fixing such problems as arthritis, webbed fingers or trauma)
• nose (correcting a deviated septum).

Apart from the examples above, reconstructive surgeries include also head reshaping, cleft lip repair, transgender surgeries, or migraine surgery. Modern medicine allows for addressing almost each body part to restore its look, which is particularly helpful for patients struggling with various kinds of cancers or experiencing dramatic accidents. 

Cosmetic surgery (also called aesthetic)

In opposite to reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery focuses purely on improving appearance and increasing the attractiveness of the person

Many people use terms plastic and cosmetic surgery alternately, which is wrong thinking. Plastic surgery is a general term for both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. While reconstructive procedures restore the normal look lost due to some trauma and tackle body defects, cosmetic plastic surgery focuses purely on improving the appearance and increasing attractiveness. What can be achieved by a cosmetic surgery UK is e.g. improving the symmetry of specific body parts or the whole body (e.g. ears), restoring the body proportion, enhancing or reducing specific body parts (e.g. breasts or nose), or tightening the skin (e.g. in face or tummy). What is important for cosmetic surgeries, patients before the procedure have no medical problems with the body parts that they want to address, they function totally properly. Regarding the body parts that aesthetic surgery may treat, modern medicine allows for addressing each body part including really small areas such as the knee, chin, private parts, or ankles.

Sometimes, it may be hard to determine whether a surgery is reconstructive or cosmetic as this line gets blurred and the types overlap. The examples of procedures where there are both cosmetic and reconstructive reasons are:

• rhinoplasty – the surgery may address the deviated septum (which is a reconstructive procedure) and make the nose more straight (which is a cosmetic reason);
• breast reduction – it may be medically proven when breasts cause pain and discomfort but there is also an aesthetic difference for women who find themselves much more attractive with a smaller and more proportional breasts;
• cleft lip and palate – it is a surgery that helps eliminate speech and feeding problems for children, and at the same time, it allows for leading a normal life without any psychological problems or complexes.

There are different types of plastic surgery depending on the involved body parts.

The main division of the types of cosmetic surgery is as follows:

1. Head and facial cosmetic surgery: facelift (mini, mid and full facelift), forehead lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery (upper and lower eyelids), ear surgery (ear pinning or reshaping), rhinoplasty (nose reshaping, nasal surgery), hair transplant, cleft lip and palate, lip augmentation and lip reshaping, face implants, chin and cheek reshaping, craniosynostosis, neck lift, wrinkles treatment.
2. Mouth/teeth surgery: maxillofacial surgery and oral surgery.
3. Breasts: breast enlargement with implants or fat, breast reduction, breast lift, breast reconstruction, gynecomastia (male breast reduction).
4. Abdomen: abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction
5. Limbs: hand reconstruction, legs liposuction (ankles, knees, hips, thighs), lower body lift, arm lift, arm liposuction, bunion surgery.
6. Buttocks: Brazillian Butt lift (BBL), implants to buttocks, buttocks liposuction.
7. Skin: fat injectable fillers, botox or fat injections, laser peels, vein removal, tattoo removal, dermabrasion, scar revision.
8. Private parts: vaginoplasty, labiaplasty (labia minora and labia majora), penis enlargement.

Plastic surgery among men is as popular as among women

Cosmetic surgery for men

Generally, plastic surgeries are associated with women and in fact, women constitute about 90% of patients and men are about 10% of all plastic surgeries patients. However, the popularity of men’s cosmetic surgery slightly increases year by year (in 2016, male patients made up maximum 8% according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). The most popular male cosmetic surgery types in 2019 are rhinoplasty, liposuction, eyelid surgery, male breast reduction, and hair transplant. Regarding the minimally invasive procedures, the most popular types of cosmetic surgery for men in 2019 were botox, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and soft tissue fillers. 

As for the types of plastic surgeries, most procedures are dedicated to both men and women (e.g. liposuction, facelift, or body lift), but there are some cosmetic procedures dedicated solely to men. Such procedures include:

• gynecomastia (it is the reduction of male breasts)
• hair transplantation and beard transplantation
• penis enlargement.

Regardless of the type of plastic surgery, it is always a medical procedure performed in a certified hospital or clinic, so obviously it must always be a plastic surgeon who does the operation. The training before getting the certificate of a cosmetic surgeon differs from country to country, but generally, students must complete medical school and a residency program. In total, such training for plastic surgeons may take over 10 years. There are two types of surgeons in this field – these are plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons. Plastic surgeons deal with reconstructive surgeries while cosmetic surgeons with aesthetic procedures. Of course, doctors may specialise in these 2 areas at once. 

There are two types of surgeons in this field – these are plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons

It is also worth mentioning that the medical training offers very narrowed specialisations e.g. breast surgery, hand surgery, or craniofacial surgery where doctors get training and experience mainly in this particular speciality. 

Choosing a plastic surgeon is very important – we advise everyone looking for plastic surgery to check the education, training, experience, and specialization of surgeons that we take into consideration. Also, if people have a complex problem, e.g. they need breast reconstruction after a sophisticated mastectomy surgery, it is better to choose a plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgeries than the one specialising in hand procedures. Of course, we are not diminishing the qualifications of any surgeon here, but the different specialities are chosen just to provide the highest quality care for patients requiring procedures for specific body parts. 

As with every kind of surgery, in the case of plastic surgery complications are possible as well, but if the doctor is qualified the risk is really low

How Safe is Plastic Surgery in 2025?

Plastic surgery in 2025 continues to be regarded as a safe and effective option for those seeking aesthetic or reconstructive improvements. Recent data confirms that the overall risk of complications remains low, especially for procedures performed under local anesthesia. For example, the latest studies indicate that minor plastic surgeries carried out in outpatient clinics have a complication rate of just 1.2%, while those performed in hospitals have a slightly higher rate of 3.5%. These figures demonstrate that plastic surgery is generally safer than many other types of surgical procedures.

However, as with any surgery, certain factors can influence the risk of complications. The experience and qualifications of the plastic surgeon play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes. Patients themselves also contribute significantly to the success of their procedures. Individuals who smoke, are obese, or have unmanaged chronic health conditions—such as diabetes—face a higher risk of complications, including delayed wound healing and infection. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking before surgery, and managing any existing medical issues are essential steps in reducing surgical risks.

Advancements in surgical technology and stricter regulations have further improved the safety of plastic surgery in recent years. Techniques such as ultrasound-guided procedures and the use of modern surgical instruments have minimized the likelihood of complications. Accredited clinics now follow rigorous safety protocols, and patient education is emphasized at every stage of the treatment process.

To ensure the best possible results and minimize risks, patients are advised to choose a board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon, follow all pre- and post-operative instructions, and undergo their procedures in accredited medical facilities. By taking these precautions, the already low risk of complications can be reduced even further, allowing patients to confidently pursue their desired aesthetic goals.

But more to the point, what are the risks of plastic surgery?

The complications that may occur are:

• poor and disappointing results – it may happen that the bad cosmetic surgery effects are far from what patients expect, sometimes it can be the surgeon’s mistake, but often these are patients who have unrealistic expectations towards the effects, no wonder they get disappointed at the end; the other times, it is nobody’s fault – e.g. in fat transfer to buttocks, the fat  injected to buttocks may get wholly absorbed by the body (as a natural body reaction) and there are no results at all;
• scars – scarring is one of the biggest risks, but an experienced plastic surgeon may control the size and location of a scar so that it is hardly visible; each procedure requires a different size, number, and location of incisions, but patients are always informed about the possible scar places before they consent to the surgery;
• infections – it may happen when some health care and safety standards in the clinic and operating room are neglected or when the wound is cared improperly after the procedure;
• numbness and nerve damage (e.g. if it happens during a facelift, patients find it impossible to do some face expressions);
• hematoma – it is a condition of the blood collection outside the blood vessels;
• bleeding – to some extent, it is considered normal for surgical procedures, but when it is too excessive or lasts too long, it needs to be treated;
• necrosis – it is a tissue death caused directly or indirectly by the surgery, however, it is usually a minor complication;
• blood clots – they are a common risk, they aren’t too serious unless the clots get to the veins and move to the heart or lungs – then it is a life-threatening condition;
• anaesthesia complications – it concerns mainly procedures done under general anaesthesia;
• seroma – it is a condition similar to hematoma; it is a fluid accumulation in the incision sites;
• death – finally, each procedure involves the risk of death, so even if it is much less than 1%, patients must be aware of the fact that it is theoretically possible.

The conditions described above are the most common risks posed by plastic surgery in general. Yet, patients need to realize that specific procedures may involve slightly different types of possible complications – e.g. risk of breast enlargement may differ from risks of otoplasty. Thus, it is important that people considering a cosmetic procedure realize what risks are involved in the surgery they are planning to get, and secondly, they should know that following some general tips they can reduce the risk of post-op complications. 

We must stress it at the beginning, it is impossible to say how much is plastic surgery UK. It is a too general term and in fact, there is no place in the world offering a price for “plastic surgery”. Generally, the cosmetic surgery cost depends on the surgery type, so we can find a price for liposuction, breast lift, eyelid correction, gynecomastia, etc, not for a plastic surgery in general. However before we give a rough idea of how much does plastic surgery cost UK, we need to explain what constitutes such a cost.

The price of plastic surgery depends on the type of the surgery, and it will vary for different body parts

The cosmetic surgery costs usually cover such expenses as:

• the fee of a surgeon and anaesthesiologist
• the materials (e.g. breast or chin implants)
• the hospital cost (operating room, medical staff)
• medications and compression clothing
• consultation/control visits.

Some clinics also include medical tests and examinations in their price, but it is not a rule, so it’s better to ask. In fact, patients should always ask the clinic what are the price components because it may turn out that the cheapest surgery price turns out to be much more expensive finally. What is more, price should not be the decisive factor regarding the surgery. It is much more important to find a reliable certified surgeon and high-standard clinic. Ideally, the affordable price accompanies a well-qualified surgeon and clinic, but it may be hard to find such a combination. So sometimes it is better to pay slightly more and commend our body and our life to a trusted surgeon instead of saving money at any cost. 

Below, we present the average UK and USA costs for the most popular plastic surgeries.

The prices above are just the average ones, you may find many clinics offering higher or lower costs. It should just give you a rough idea of what to expect regarding the cost and what you should be careful about is finding excessively lower cost (which may equal to the low health care standard) or excessively higher cost (which may be a simple overpayment). There are also other solutions for people who cannot afford spending so much money at once, namely many clinics offer financing programs where patients make monthly payments, or patients may try to get the surgery on the NHS (when there are medical reasons for that), or they can travel to another country to get much more affordable surgery and significantly reduce the expenses.

NHS covers the procedures that are necessary from the medical point of view this means that reconstructive surgeries can be covered, but cosmetic surgery on the NHS is hardly possible

NHS covers the procedures that are essential from the medical point of view which save the patients’ lives and restore their health. So, reconstructive plastic surgeries are usually covered by the NHS. However, cosmetic surgery on the NHS is hardly possible. 

The cosmetic surgery NHS criteria are very strict and patients must prove the health reasons or psychological reasons for such a cosmetic surgery NHS.

Below, we present the examples of when patients may get cosmetic surgery on NHS:

• rhinoplasty (reshaping the nose) – when patients have breathing problems
• breast enlargement with implants – when uneven breasts cause dramatic psychological distress or when women have had mastectomy
• ear correction – when children have social and psychological trauma caused by their appearance
• breast reduction for women – when big breasts cause back and spine problems
• breast reduction for men – when men struggle with gynecomastia causing pain and distress. 

So, if people think that they might get qualified for cosmetic surgery by the NHS, it is always a good idea to visit a doctor and ask for more information and criteria for the qualification. If the NHS does not agree to fund the cosmetic surgery, patients need to look for it in a private hospital and when they cannot afford it, ask for cosmetic surgery loans or consider traveling abroad.

If a person wants to do plastic surgery but can’t be qualified through the NHS and can’t afford it in a private clinic travelling abroad is a good option

Getting a private plastic surgery UK may be really expensive and many people just cannot afford it. Then, cosmetic surgery abroad may be a great alternative. Medical tourism is getting more and more popular especially among people looking for top-quality cosmetic surgery clinics. Nowadays, organising the treatment abroad is as easy as doing it in a home country – what’s interesting, many clinics and agencies offer all inclusive cosmetic surgery packages abroad so that international patients feel safe and looked after. The fact that some countries offer much more affordable prices than the best cosmetic surgery UK clinics is usually not associated with a lower quality. On the contrary, the standard of health care in a cosmetic surgery clinic abroad is really high and the lower price results just from the costs of living, country currency, and salaries. So, what countries are worth considering? It depends on the location, Americans usually travel to Mexico or Brazil, Europeans choose Poland, Turkey, and Czech Republic, and Asians prefer Thailand, India, and Turkey. Each of these countries offer a high-standard medical care and is open for medical tourists. When people find an acclaimed surgeon and a high standard clinic abroad and verify them, they may get effective plastic surgery at the amazingly low cost.

Plastic surgery Poland

Plastic surgery in Poland is a very popular destination among Europeans. These are usually British, Irish, Swedish, Norwegian, and German patients who find cosmetic surgery Poland really affordable. Plastic surgery Poland is said to be really high-quality, also Polish surgeons are world-class specialists. Private clinics offering their services for international patients pride themselves on the newest technologies, modern equipment, individual approach, and very competitive prices compared to other European countries. Why to choose plastic surgery – Poland?

Below, we present the common reasons for getting cosmetic surgery in Poland:

• private Poland cosmetic surgery clinics are serving international patients on a daily basis;
• the education and training program of plastic surgeons in Poland is very exhaustive and long, very often it takes over 10 years to become a certified plastic surgeon, so patients can be sure they are at good hands;
• the cosmetic surgery Poland cost is very affordable (Poland plastic surgery prices are even 2-3 times as cheap as in the UK);
• there is no language barrier, usually, the doctors and medical personnel in private clinics speak English fluently;
• Poland is a very attractive country in terms of tourism, so combining a surgery with short holidays would be a great option;
• there is great international flight accessibility;
• international patients get free help with organisation of the travel;
• There is medical insurance offered to international patients, which makes them feel secure in case of any travel or treatment problems. Clinic Hunter & AXA Partners insurance is considered the best insurance for cosmetic surgery abroad by many people!

Generally, plastic surgery Poland reviews are really positive and the great asset of this country is professional health care and the excellent standard of plastic surgeries – very often it is the main reason why people want to come for the surgery there and the low price is just the additional enjoyable aspect. 

Cosmetic surgery in Turkey

Cosmetic surgery in Turkey continues to be one of the most popular destinations for medical tourists from Europe, Asia, and America in 2025. Turkey’s unique combination of affordable prices, highly skilled surgeons, and modern medical facilities attracts over 1.5 million medical tourists annually, many of whom come specifically for cosmetic procedures. This number has steadily increased over recent years, with the sector generating more than $3 billion in revenue in 2024 alone.

Turkey’s reputation as a top cosmetic surgery hub is supported by impressive statistics: in 2022, approximately 470,900 cosmetic procedures were performed, with liposuction and rhinoplasty among the most common surgeries. The country ranks second globally in the number of plastic surgeons and internationally accredited hospitals, ensuring high standards of care and patient safety.

Turkey is popular among foreign patients because of its relatively low prices

Turkey offers very organized medical travel services – the private Turkey cosmetic surgery clinics and agencies offer help in choosing the best location, clinic, and surgeon, organizing all the transfers and flights, booking the surgery, and the hotel. In fact, clinics offering the best cosmetic surgery in Turkey sell the whole all-inclusive packages for medical care and stay in Turkey, thanks to which patients feel as if they book holidays in a regular travel agency. It is very comfortable for foreign patients who may avoid excessive stress connected with medical travel. Regarding the communication, not every surgeon in Turkey speaks English, but if a clinic decides to treat foreign patients, it guarantees the personal English-speaking assistant or hires a translator, so language is actually not a problem there. Finally, it is the cosmetic surgery Turkey prices which is the main advantage of this country. The costs of plastic surgeries there are one of the lowest in the world, e.g. a nose plastic surgery in Turkey Istanbul is even 3-4 times cheaper than in London. People wondering which Turkish clinic is the best, should find the plastic surgery in Turkey reviews which are shared on the Internet – such reviews will give potential patients an idea of what to pay attention to and what to expect from the clinics and surgeons.

Reading cosmetic surgery abroad reviews is a great idea for those who have doubts or concerns regarding the surgery in a foreign country. There are many groups and websites directed to international patients where former patients share their opinions about their clinics, doctors, hotels and give very useful and practical tips regarding the medical treatment abroad. Such reviews help not only verify the considered clinic or surgeon but also provide an essential support and a sense of security for potential patients.

Before and after plastic surgery photos are important in terms of expectations towards the results. When we see real plastic surgery before and after pictures, we build a real image of what to expect after the surgery. The cosmetic surgery before and after photos are also a great showcase of a clinic and surgeon – we are more eager to choose and trust a surgeon whose photos show great results.

Plastic surgery is a very characteristic medical treatment. It’s role is mainly to improve or restore a patient’s look. In the modern world, where physique and appearance are extremely important, more and more people decide to have plastic surgery. Changing the look influences the mental, emotional health and improves social life as well. International patients have several options to consider – they may find a clinic in a home country, apply for NHS surgery or financing plan and finally get the affordable plastic surgery abroad. It is just important that a patient finds a reliable clinic and trusts the surgeon who is going to perform a surgery. 

Get the insurance for treatment abroad:

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