Plastic surgery becoming more common, expert says
Cosmetic procedures during college getting safer, no longer carries a certain taboo
Nicole Strittmater
Issue date: 2/27/06 Section: Money/Health
About 40 percent of college students would presently entertain the idea of having cosmetic surgery. About 50 percent would entertain the idea at a later age, and about 8 percent of college students actually undergo cosmetic surgery in the United States, Dr. Joseph Rucker, a surgeon at the Plastic Surgery Clinic, 3221 Stein Blvd., said referring to a survey of college
students.
In the past, cosmetic plastic surgery carried a certain amount of taboo with it, facial surgery specialist Dr. Heidi Jarecki of the Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic, 2715 Damon St., said, but in the current climate of improved education and awareness, it is becoming more common.
Two types of plastic surgery exist: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
According to the Plastic Surgery Clinic, Cosmetic surgery is strictly for appearance enhancement purposes. Reconstructive surgery, on the other hand, is usually done after a traumatic event, such as having a breast removed because of breast cancer.
If people are born with a birth defect such as a cleft palette or cleft lip, have some other congenital deformity or are seriously injured in an accident, they may also be able to undergo reconstructive surgery, according to PSC.
There are common cosmetic procedures that college students choose to have done, Rucker said. The No. 1 procedure involves some type of skin improvement, whether it is a chemical peel, acne treatment or facial scar treatment.
He said breast augmentation is the second most common procedure. Rhinoplasty, which is surgery of the nose, takes third place among popular procedures for college-age students, followed by liposuction, a surgical procedure where excess fatty tissue is removed from an area of the body through suction. Eyelid enhancing procedures are the fifth most common.
According to PSC, costs of acne scarring procedures can range from $600 to $3,000, depending on the invasiveness and number of procedures needed. Breast augmentation costs about $5,900. A breast reduction, which is often covered by insurance, costs $20,000 to $30,000. The surgical fee is about $11,000, but hospital and anesthesia fees are not included, according to PSC. Medical insurance usually covers reconstructive surgery, but it does not cover cosmetic surgery.
students.
In the past, cosmetic plastic surgery carried a certain amount of taboo with it, facial surgery specialist Dr. Heidi Jarecki of the Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic, 2715 Damon St., said, but in the current climate of improved education and awareness, it is becoming more common.
Two types of plastic surgery exist: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
According to the Plastic Surgery Clinic, Cosmetic surgery is strictly for appearance enhancement purposes. Reconstructive surgery, on the other hand, is usually done after a traumatic event, such as having a breast removed because of breast cancer.
If people are born with a birth defect such as a cleft palette or cleft lip, have some other congenital deformity or are seriously injured in an accident, they may also be able to undergo reconstructive surgery, according to PSC.
There are common cosmetic procedures that college students choose to have done, Rucker said. The No. 1 procedure involves some type of skin improvement, whether it is a chemical peel, acne treatment or facial scar treatment.
He said breast augmentation is the second most common procedure. Rhinoplasty, which is surgery of the nose, takes third place among popular procedures for college-age students, followed by liposuction, a surgical procedure where excess fatty tissue is removed from an area of the body through suction. Eyelid enhancing procedures are the fifth most common.
According to PSC, costs of acne scarring procedures can range from $600 to $3,000, depending on the invasiveness and number of procedures needed. Breast augmentation costs about $5,900. A breast reduction, which is often covered by insurance, costs $20,000 to $30,000. The surgical fee is about $11,000, but hospital and anesthesia fees are not included, according to PSC. Medical insurance usually covers reconstructive surgery, but it does not cover cosmetic surgery.