Short-lived Novelties in Plastic Surgery and Why do People Seek Revisions?

As more people are undergoing aesthetic procedures, the trends in the industry are evolving, and more options are available to alter and improve your appearance. In addition, when a new hot starlet becomes the center of the media, their certain physical features may become desirable to the general public. However, here at Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, we are seeing this evolution, and noting a sharp decline in the fads and novelties of recent years, such as emphasized large breasts, overfilled lips, and giant protruding buttocks, in favor of procedures that produce a more natural appearance.

Another thing we are seeing in our Houston-area facility is an increase in patients seeking revision surgeries for procedures that they have changed their minds about. This happens for a number of reasons, but one big motive is simply that the fad has gone out of style. Naturally, this occurs far more often with some types of surgeries than with others.  While some beauty standards are tried and true, others may be here today and gone tomorrow. Some of the procedures that are rapidly falling by the wayside in 2022, and for which many of our patients are now seeking surgical revisions, include:

Fox Eyes, Cat Eyes, or Almond-Eye Surgery

Fox eye, cat-eye, or almond-eye surgery is a trend that many celebrities and influencers are now adopting. The procedure lifts the eyes and has been popularized in recent years by celebrities such as Megan Fox, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid. Known medically as canthoplasty, the surgery is designed to extend and realign eyes that are too round by repositioning and lifting the corner of the eyes (lateral canthus).

The procedure involves inserting invisible, biodegradable threads above the eyes to lift the lateral canthus, while also lifting the lower eyelids. Results may last anywhere from weeks up to about a year.

Alternative procedures that are safer and produce comparable results include blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery or an eye lift), and non-surgical lifting procedures such as dermal fillers and skin tightening treatments. Dr. Bachilo will recommend the best procedure or combination of procedures to achieve your desired results, taking into consideration such factors as your age, the condition of your skin, and your aesthetic goals.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) or Gluteal Fat Transfer

While the BBL was the most widely performed cosmetic procedure in 2019 after Kim Kardashian popularized the big bootie look, and it is still a widely popular trend, we are seeing a gradual decline in requests for Brazilian Butt Lifts in the past year or so. This may in part be because Kim is rumored to have recently reversed her procedure, and her fan base is following suit. Or it may just be because beauty standards are shifting to a more natural look.

The BBL is performed by transferring fat from other parts of the body, such as the abdomen or inner thighs, to the derriere. The fat is harvested by means of liposuction, then liquefied and injected into the buttocks.  The procedure generally requires more than one treatment session to achieve the desired results, and the BBL may carry a higher risk than many other procedures if not performed by an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon.

Safer alternatives to the BBL include gluteal implants, and nonsurgical lifting and contouring butt lift treatments using injectable fillers such as Sculptra or Renuva.

Overly Large Breast Implants

One of the revision surgeries that is most widely requested in the industry at large, as well as in our facility, is breast implant revision surgery, as many of our patients change their minds about their breast implants, typically opting to switch to a smaller size.

While overly large breasts had their day in the late 90s and early 2000s, newer trends emphasize a more natural and proportionate silhouette. Many women have also learned that breasts that are too large for their frame can cause back problems and other complications, a fact that explains why so many women born with extremely large breasts seek breast reduction surgery.

Breast implants are typically inserted using tiny incisions, and the revision surgery generally uses the same incisions to switch out the implants. Another alternative to breast implants is fat transfer to the breasts from other areas of the body such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.

Buccal Fat Removal or Cheek Reduction

Buccal fat removal, or lipectomy, is a surgery that removes the fat in the area of your face between your cheekbones and jaw bones. The goal of this procedure is to highlight and sculpt the midfacial region, emphasizing the facial bone structure, particularly the cheekbones and the hollowed-out areas between the cheeks and the jawline.

Usually only young adults, individuals with fuller and rounder faces, and people with naturally high and plump cheekbones (think Chrissy Teigen) are candidates for this procedure. Since the procedure is a recent development, we currently do not know the aftermath of the surgery in 20-30 years. Based on her extensive knowledge of how facial fat atrophies over time as part of the aging process, Dr. Bachilo’s concern with regards to this procedure is that, down the road, patients may look too aged due to sunken cheeks.

Buccal fat removal is performed by creating a small incision through which the buccal pad is removed. Alternatives to this procedure include facial sculpting with CoolSculpting (which removes double chin fat), dermal filler in the midface, neurotoxin injection in the masseters, and weight loss

Fake Dimples or Dimpleplasty

Let’s face it, dimples are adorable, and it’s a blessing to be born with them. But dimples are actually a mutation in muscle tissue, forming indentations that occur when you smile. Nevertheless, fake dimples are the latest craze in plastic surgery trends, and many people are undergoing dimpleplasty surgery, a relatively simple procedure that involves a small incision in each cheek and the removal of a small bit of muscle and fat through which a suture (sling) is inserted, creating a dimple.

What makes us a little concerned about this trend is, we wonder if people will really want to keep those fake dimples forever. Given what we know about aging facial structure, there is some concern that the dimples may relocate as the face ages, causing an unwanted effect in your facial appearance. Dimpleplasty revision is a straightforward and simple procedure that simply involves removal of the inserted sling and scar tissue.

Overfilled Lips

We have all seen people who have overdone it with the lip fillers, creating unnaturally puffed-up “duck lips” that appear completely artificial. Luckily, for anyone who chooses to revise their lip enhancement procedure, it’s a pretty easy process: simply start reducing the amount you are using or use Hyaluronidase injectable to dissolve hyaluronic acid based filler, or remove the implant.

Dr. Bachilo will help you select lip augmentation treatment that creates a balanced, proportionate look with your other facial features. In our experience, hyaluronic acid based fillers and fat grafting to the lips produce more reliable results and are a great alternative to permanent lip filler injections or implants.

Many plastic surgery fads and novelties, particularly those that achieve extreme or exaggerated results, are spawned by celebrities and influencers, as well as the unrealistic distortions produced by photo filters. This kind of pressure often seduces people – particularly young adults – into undergoing procedures they will very likely regret later.

Dr. Bachilo always recommends that her patients opt for procedures that produce more natural-looking results that withstand the test of time and create subtle but significant improvements. To learn more about which procedures will best enhance your features and help you achieve the results you desire, contact Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa and schedule your free consultation with Dr. Bachilo today!