We’ve spoken about the topic of social media and plastic surgery in the past, but with a lot of the country still attending work and school from home these days, and being confined to their homes, we’re spending a lot more time on the computer.

In addition to ensuring we maintain good work ethic and continue with our studies on the computer, we’re using social media and our mobile devices to keep in touch with those family and friends that we cannot see in person.

As if social media wasn’t already this sort of “doctored” look into the lives of people, now, more than ever, it can bring down our self esteem and make us think twice about what we’re doing with our lives.

And this is a problem.

Social media in itself can be a wonderful tool to help keep people connected, but it’s also an easy way to spread false information. We see it a lot these days in terms of the political landscape, but where it most affects us as individuals is in the lifestyle photos and stories that we see.

Celebrities, as well as friends and family, are usually making sure that they are only posting the photos that make them look good. Whether that’s physically good or like they are living a lavish lifestyle that most people only dream about. Nobody is taking 20 selfies just so they can post the bad one or posting up a photo of them and their friends all sitting around a pool on their phones having a boring time. No, they are posting the photos of them smiling at the beach with the sunset at their back.

Social media gives off this false perception of what our lives are really like. And when we see someone else, whether that’s a friend or a celebrity that we follow, posting up all these amazing pictures, while we’re sitting on the couch watching reruns of The Office, it makes us feel bad about ourselves. And this is a problem.

How Social Media Creates Unrealistic Plastic Surgery Expectations

A great example of how social media skews our view of people is a photo that Khloe Kardashian posted a few weeks ago.

It should be of no surprise to most people that the Kardashians are notorious for only posting photos that make them look incredible, but you need to be wary of the overly processed photos that seem to make them look too good.

And this doesn’t just go for the Kardashians, you’d be surprised how many celebrities (and even your friends) that are manipulating their appearance before posting photos.

And this manipulation doesn’t just come from using Photoshop. The filters on some of these photo apps can be used to enhance your features, smooth out your skin, and even allow you to pull in various features to appear slimmer. And that’s just the manipulation that is done in the computer.

Make-up is another way that people make themselves appear different in photos than they would in real life. And when it comes to celebrities, they have access to some of the best make-up artists in the world.

This photo manipulation on social media has led to women and men feeling very self-conscious about themselves. It can cause self-esteem issues as well as mental health problems. And it’s causing the younger generation of girls to feel like they are inadequate when compared to what society dubs as “beautiful”.

In terms of plastic surgery, seeing all of these manipulated photos online, while also having to look at ourselves all day in video conferences for school and work, is leading to people wanting to modify their bodies in order to look like those “beautiful” people they see online.

And we’re not saying that the photos you see on social media aren’t of beautiful people, we’re saying that the photos you’re seeing most of the time are not what those people look like in real life. So going into a plastic surgeons office with a highly Photoshopped picture of Khloe Kardashian and telling the doctor that you want to look like her in that photo, is completely unrealistic.

Of course, there are certain things that plastic surgery can help with when it comes to changing your appearance, that’s part of the reason elective plastic surgery exists, but expectations need to be properly managed.

Please don’t rush into any sort of plastic surgery procedure based on something you’ve seen on the internet. Plastic surgery should be performed in a way that it’s almost hard to tell that any work has been done, you don’t want to end up looking like a plastic barbie doll.

At Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery, we will sit down with you to discuss why you want to have plastic surgery done and what the best options are for you. We want to ensure that our patients look good and feel good, with no regrets. So contact us today for a consultation!

COVID-19 is still very much affecting our everyday lives here in the United States. Most states seemed to be moving in the right direction, but as things begin to open back up and people start to get back out into the world, case numbers have begun to rise throughout the country.

The virus is not going away yet some plastic surgeons have seen an uptick in procedures during this unprecedented time.

This isn’t the case all over the country, but there is a good reason behind why people may be considering surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures when the country is battling over whether or not to stay home.

Why The Uptick In Plastic Surgery During Quarantine?

Quarantining At Home Allows for Easy Recovery

When you decide to get plastic surgery, or even some non-surgical procedures, for cosmetic purposes, you do so knowing that there is going to be a recovery period. That recovery period can sometimes be painful, or take you out of commission for a longer period of time.

Of course, if you opt to visit Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Adams has perfected his 24-hour fast-track recovery breast augmentation surgery, which allows for the patient to be able to perform normal everyday functions within 24 hours with limited pain.

This means that you don’t need to lie in bed for up to a week while the muscles in your chest heal to the point where you feel ok to walk around.

Traditional breast augmentation surgery can cause a patient to be uncomfortable and in pain for sometimes up to a week, which can be hard to deal with.

The quarantines put in place by certain local governments across the country have created the perfect opportunity to undergo that surgical cosmetic procedure you’ve been wanting to do, without fear of having to leave your house while you recover.

While some surgical procedures can easily be hidden with loose fitting clothing, some, like rhinoplasty or other procedures done in highly visible areas, cannot.

So while you’re stuck working from home, you can recover at your own pace without having to worry about running into anyone while you’re not looking your best.

Looking at Yourself Every Day on Video Calls

In addition to surgical procedures seeing an uptick during the pandemic, non-surgical procedures have also gotten a boost lately, but it might not be for the reasons you think.

With most offices closed and people being told to work remotely whenever possible, there are a lot more people using video conferencing and calls to stay in touch with their coworkers.

Even doctors have been resorting to more virtual consultations as opposed to in-office visits in order to mitigate the spread of the virus.

And while technology has allowed us to be able to stay connected with coworkers, friends and family more easily than ever before, it has also led to us having to stare at ourselves for longer periods of time.

On a normal day, most people would probably only glance in the mirror a few times a day just to check to make sure their look was in order, but on video calls you’re sitting there looking at yourself for a much longer period of time, and more often.

That means, those wrinkles you sometimes might notice when looking in the mirror, or those aging spots on your face, are now way more noticeable.

And while the people on the other end of the call probably aren’t noticing them as much, since they are used to seeing  you on a more regular basis, you now can’t take your eyes off of them.

It’s for this reason that more people are finding themselves looking into non-surgical cosmetic treatments that can help their skin complexion, wrinkles and other signs of aging. In most cases these “imperfections” have been following you for a while, but since we’re now forced to stare at ourselves on a screen for hours out of the day, they’ve become way more noticeable.

Is it Safe to Have a Procedure Right Now?

The main concern that most people have right now is if it’s even safe to go into a doctor’s office or a medical spa to have one of these procedures done.

In most cases the answer is yes, but you still need to cautious.

If you’re uncomfortable going out into public places or have an underlying health condition, then it may be best if you stay at home. But if you’re comfortable enough going outside and are in good health, then as long as your doctor or med spa have the proper safety measures in place, are screening all patients and disinfecting things on a regular basis, you should be just fine having one of these procedures done.

If you’re seriously considering cosmetic surgery or a non-surgical cosmetic procedure and would like to setup a virtual consultation, please contact us today.

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedures, recovery, and what systems we have in place to ensure that we’re keeping our patients, doctors and staff as safe as possible.

Making the decision to have plastic surgery is something that needs to be taken seriously. You should always consult with family, friends, and doctors before you even consider having any sort of life changing procedure. This is something that is going to affect all aspects of your life moving forward, so it’s extremely important that you’ve discussed all of the options and outcomes before going under the knife.

Even as an adult you shouldn’t rush into a decision like this, but younger people need to be even more careful before they decided to have plastic surgery.

Having plastic surgery while you’re too young and your body is still developing can be detrimental to your overall health and wellness as you continue to age and mature.

However, if body image is leading to self-esteem issues, bullying, or mental health issues, then plastic surgery could help improve those thoughts. But that’s not to say we advocate for minors receiving plastic surgery.

Every person, and every case, is different when it comes to plastic surgery. The procedures are traditionally very similar, but the patients and their bodies are always different. This is why it’s important to always discuss all of the options before making a life changing decision.

Am I Too Young For Plastic Surgery?

Legally speaking, a minor under 18 years of age cannot undergo plastic surgery in the United States without the full written consent from their parents. And a lot of times, depending on what the procedure is, surgeons may not even perform the surgery, even with consent. And there are a few reasons for this.

The main reason is that the body is still developing when a person is that young. Different areas of the body will continue to grow and develop into your mid-20’s, so it is recommended that you wait and see how your body reacts to all of the changes it goes through in your late teens/early 20’s, before you decide to alter it.

Altering your body too early can have a negative affect on how things continue to develop as you get older, not to mention not all surgeries will make you appear the same for your entire life.

If a 16 year old is unhappy with her breast size, and wants to have breast implants, they may be able to just wait a couple years for their breasts to fully develop and not have to worry about having surgery. As the body continues to grow and develop, you really want to make sure that you’re not interfering with things that could happen naturally.

In addition to the physical aspects of having surgery at a young age, there is also the mental aspect of it. Even at the age of 18, you’re not as mature as you may think you are. Yes, technically you are considered an adult and can make your own decisions, and you may think that plastic surgery is the answer that you’re looking for, but there may be another underlying issue at the root of your body image issues.

By waiting until you’re a little older, more developed, and more mature, you can better understand the reasons for wanting to alter your appearance, and better understand the consequences and outcomes of your decision.

Are Any Plastic Surgeries Ok For Younger People?

There are a few circumstances in which surgeons may agree to plastic surgery for people under the age of 18, but these are all dependent on the surgeon.

Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, can sometimes be performed at a younger age because the facial bones stop growing at a certain point, but it’s still not as early as you might think.

In boys the bones can stop growing between 16-17, while in girls it’s usually between 14-15. If a rhinoplasty were to be performed before these facial bones stop growing it could lead to a change in appearance as well as other complications.

A surgeon will still probably tell you to wait until you’re over 18 before getting a nose job, but in some cases, like reconstructive surgery or rhinoplasty to help with breathing (deviated septum, etc.), it may be necessary to perform the procedure at a younger age.

The same goes with otoplasty, or corrective ear surgery. Since the human ear tends to get to its full size rather quickly, an otoplasty can usually be safely performed on most children after the age of 5. Of course, this is all dependent on your surgeon.

Breast reduction in young patients 15 -18 is also common and  life changing for patients.    Patients must be at a stable breast size for   12 months typically before proceeding.

So while there are some plastic surgery procedures that may be helpful and safely performed at younger ages, it will still depend on your surgeon and, of course, parental consent.

As we mentioned above, breast augmentation surgery is not recommended for women under the age of 18. However, breast reduction surgery may be an option at younger ages if it’s causing physical problems.

If you’re under 18 and you’re thinking about having plastic surgery the first thing you should do is discuss it with your parents. Figuring out exactly why you want to alter your body is the first step. You may find that there’s some other underlying cause of your dissatisfaction that can be corrected without resorting to surgery, but it’s always important to talk things through with a parent or doctor first.

The next step would then to be to find a surgeon and setup a consultation so you can discuss exactly what goes into the surgery, what concerns the surgeon might have, and answer any questions you have.

Plastic surgeons get questions like this every single day, so it’s very important to take their advice into consideration before making any drastic moves.

If you’re thinking about plastic surgery and would like to setup a consultation with Dr. Adams, please contact us via our website, or call our Dallas, Texas offices. We’d be happy to discuss all of the various plastic surgery options as well as discuss other possible treatments that may be able to help.

When it comes to breast augmentation, many people tend to think about implants. However, not all breast surgeries are for enhancements. Sometimes a person needs a breast reduction, which can help alleviate a lot of problems women with large breasts face. A recent study found that breast reduction surgery is one of the most common procedures performed.

Also known as a mammoplasty, this surgical procedure removes excess tissue, fat, and skin from both breasts. Here are five reasons why you should consider a breast reduction.

Why Get Breast Reduction Surgery?

The overall goal of breast reduction surgery is to reduce both the size and weight of the breasts. Many women opt for this procedure because their breasts are not proportionate to their body frame and can lead to many physical and psychological issues that can negatively affect the quality of both their personal and professional lives.

1. Aches and Pains

Women with overly large breasts are all too familiar with the aches and pains that they have to deal with daily. Neck and upper back pain are constantly flaring up and over the counter medications don’t always alleviate the problem. They’re also not recommended as an ideal long-term solution for the potential health issues that they can cause.

The curvature of the spine can also be affected by overly large breasts. This, in turn, affects posture when sitting and standing. For women in the workforce, sitting at a desk in an uncomfortable office chair that offers no spinal support can make them feel like they’ve just run a 26-mile marathon come the end of the day. 

2. Self Esteem 

Overly large breasts can negatively affect the self-esteem of many women. This especially holds true for teenagers and younger women. Their classmates may tease them, or they may experience social issues during these critical formative years of their lives.

Women who have entered into the workforce can also experience many issues. Large breasts can generate unwanted attention from coworkers in a professional situation. This could lead to people treating them differently and making them feel that their breasts are the center of attention.

Over time, the extra attention can become tiresome and a point of contention for many women. This could potentially lead to issues with forming meaningful professional relationships or cause psychological problems such as depression.

3. Non-Fitting Clothing

For many women with regular sized breasts, finding clothing that fits can be challenging. Even if the top they like is in their size, there’s no guarantee they’ll like the overall fit. 

For women with large breasts, it can be extremely challenging—if not impossible—to find a top that will fit them perfectly when their breasts are out of proportion regarding the rest of their body.

This can lead to feelings that you’re being stigmatized by the clothing or fashion industry as you struggle to find something that you feel comfortable wearing. The same also applies to swimsuits and intimate apparel.

4. Exercise is Painful

Many women will use a properly fitted sports bra when they exercise. For women with large breasts, it’s near-impossible to find a bra that can provide the support needed to allow them to exercise.

In a roundabout way, overly large breasts can contribute to a wide range of other health issues due to the lack of exercise. A study by the University of Portsmouth found that large breasts were the fourth biggest barrier to women working out—right behind time, energy, and health. 

5. Sleeping Issues

It’s very uncomfortable for women with overly large breasts to sleep on their side or stomach. This forces them to sleep on their backs, which can sometimes lead to nighttime acid reflux and heartburn issues.

Insomnia is also another issue that many women face. They will toss and turn and get a fraction of the daily recommended 8-hours of sleep. This can lead to other health issues and poor performance at work or school. 

Breast Reduction Surgery in Dallas

Having overly large breasts is a burden for many women. While they do have their perks, the disadvantages often outweigh the benefits in terms of health and quality of life. If you’re experiencing any one of the above issues due to large breasts, this is an excellent time to consider breast reduction surgery. It can help give you your life back and alleviate many of the problems you face due to your large breasts. 

The first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Adams, a leading expert in breast augmentation procedures. He will sit down with you and listen to your concerns and discuss the available options. Give us a call at (214) 965-9885 or contact us via our website. Dr. Adams is conveniently located in Dallas, Texas in Snyder Medical Plaza, just a short ride from the airport.