Just Who is Going Under the Knife for Plastic Surgery? You Might Be Surprised

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Garazo stresses that typical cosmetic surgery patients are not what you might expect.

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Dr. Henry Garazo

Aug 07, 2014, 08:30 ET

HAGERSTOWN, Md., Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Think you know who gets plastic surgery? Think again, says Dr. Henry Garazo, a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in Hagerstown, Maryland. In light of a recent wave of television shows and social media buzz showcasing patients who spend thousands to look like a celebrity or have had dozens of procedures done, he is speaking out to set the record straight on what the "typical patient" who seeks a cosmetic procedure really is like.

"There is a huge discrepancy between the extreme, perfection-seeking 'plastic surgery patient' that the media tends to portray and the well-adjusted, healthy men and women I serve on a day to day basis," says Dr. Garazo.

Dr. Garazo stresses that the reality is much more positive than such sensational stories may lead some to believe. He debunks some of the more common misconceptions about who exactly is getting plastic surgery:

Assumption: "Plastic surgery patients have 'work done' all the time."
Reality: Most patients seek cosmetic surgery as a one-time solution.

While the tabloids are full of stories about celebrities having procedures done in bulk, this is the rare exception, says Dr. Garazo. "Most patients simply want to feel more confident and comfortable in their own bodies and a single cosmetic surgery procedure often helps them get there." He adds that a qualified plastic surgeon can usually recognize a patient who is opting for risky or unnecessary procedures and will turn such patients away.

Assumption: "People undergoing plastic surgery are superficial."
Reality: Patients seek plastic surgery to restore and enhance, not to be "perfect."

Some may think plastic surgery is superficial because the conversation tends to focus on larger breasts and smaller waists. However, plastic surgeons also spend time correcting birth defects or issues resulting from injury. As for those breast augmentation patients? Dr. Garazo says most breast augmentations he performs are not for women who want oversized breasts, but rather for patients who want to look natural, balance their proportions, and feel more feminine. Many are looking to return to the breasts they had when they were younger or before breast feeding.

Assumption: "Only women care about having cosmetic surgery."
Reality: Nearly 10% of patients nationwide are male.

The number of men opting to have cosmetic surgery & non-surgical procedures such as Botox injections has been increasing steadily for years, a trend Dr. Garazo expects will continue. "Recently, I have seen more men who are concerned with maintaining a youthful, vibrant appearance to facilitate their career success, as well as for personal reasons." He mentions liposuction and rhinoplasty as some of the more popular procedures with male patients.

Assumption: "Only rich people get cosmetic surgery."
Reality: People from diverse financial backgrounds elect to have cosmetic surgery.

People often assume that plastic surgery is only an option that the wealthiest choose to consider. However, Dr. Garazo points out that people from all walks of life choose to have plastic surgery. He says that plastic surgery is more accessible than most think, with many practices offering manageable financing options to accommodate a patient's budget.

Whether a patient wants to enhance his or her self-image or restore a normal appearance following injury, there is certainly more to plastic surgery than the media hype may imply. Dr. Garazo hopes by dispelling common myths like these above, patients will better understand the role of plastic surgery in the medical field.

About Dr. Henry F. Garazo: Plastic surgeon. Henry Garazo is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been selected as one of America's Top Plastic Surgeons by the Consumers' Research Council of America for five consecutive years. He practices in his hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland, at The Galleria, 1140 Conrad Court, Hagerstown, Md., 21740-5905. Learn more at www.plasticsurgeryservices.net or read Dr. Garazo's reviews.

Media Contact: Dr. Henry F. Garazo, (301) 791-1800 or www.plasticsurgeryservices.net

SOURCE Dr. Henry Garazo