Is it ever possible to reverse cosmetic surgery?
In recent years, we’ve seen an explosion in ‘non-invasive’ or ‘minimally-invasive’ aesthetic procedures that promise to deliver the same results as surgery but with less risk or downtime. Whether its reshaping faces with botulinum toxin or dermal fillers or contouring bodies by freezing fat, it has led to a belief that these procedures aren’t as risky to undergo.
Or, even, the conviction that, as they aren’t overly invasive, the results can simply be reversed if patients aren’t happy with them. Many patients have discovered the hard way that it isn’t quite that simple to reverse even non-surgical aesthetic treatments.
Understanding the difference between aesthetic and cosmetic surgery procedures
When looking into cosmetic surgery reversal, it’s important to note the differences between aesthetic and cosmetic surgery procedures.
Aesthetics tends to be a catch-all term for non-surgical treatments such as muscle relaxing injections or dermal fillers. Cosmetic surgery procedures ar
So, why does this distinction matter? Well, generally speaking, aesthetic procedures are a little easier to reverse than cosmetic surgery procedures. However, that isn’t to say it’s not possible to do and it’s also important to note that aesthetic procedures can have permanent results you may not be happy with.
Which types of aesthetic and cosmetic surgery procedures could be reversed?
Reversed implies that it’s possible to revert back completely and that’s never wholly possible. However, a follow-up procedure can be carried out that can take you closer to your starting point.
Breast implants, for example, can be removed for a number of reasons. However, it isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Depending upon how long you have had them, the breasts could sag a lot once the implants are taken out. Therefore, a breast lift may also be required to produce the best results.
Lip fillers are the easiest to reverse, provided the surgeon used a hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is, in fact, reversible. A simple injection of a product such as Vitrase, can reverse the filler, causing it to break down. However, you may need a few of these injections and it can be expensive.
Rhinoplasty is potentially the hardest procedure to reverse. Many cosmetic surgeons do carry out rhinoplasty revision surgery if the patient is unhappy with the results of their initial surgery, but it does take an extremely skilled surgeon to do it and it may require cartilage or bone grafts, for example, to rebuild an overly resected nose.
One procedure which can’t be reversed are anti-wrinkle injections. However, the good news is that the results of this procedure typically only last for a few months, so you only need to wait it out if you don’t like it.
So, some procedures can be reversed, but most are a lot more difficult to reverse than you might think. Therefore, it’s much better to reduce the chances of something going wrong, by ensuring you’re choosing a reliable, respected and highly-qualified plastic surgeon – even for something as simple as a wrinkle reduction or lip augmentation.
