Thinking of Having a Cosmetic Procedure in 2021? Here Are the Ones Patients Say are Most “Worth It”
RealSelf’s 20 most “worth it” procedures of 2020 are in, and we think they’re pretty spot-on. From weight loss surgery to Dysport and everything in between, the RealSelf team has compiled a list of patients’ top-ranked cosmetic surgery procedures of the “Zoom Boom” year. If you’re considering plastic surgery to enhance your appearance in 2021, here are our patients’ favorite procedures from RealSelf’s list to help inform your decision.
Gynecomastia Treatment – 99% RealSelf “Worth It” rating
Man boobs (colloquially known as “moobs”) are a feature many men find embarrassing. Gynecomastia surgery, a.k.a. male breast reduction, restores a flat, firm, masculine appearance to the chest through liposuction and/or removing excess tissue. Contrary to the belief that man boobs are caused solely by weight gain, gynecomastia is often the result of an imbalance in estrogen and testosterone hormones, meaning that exercise and diet alone aren’t enough to reduce their appearance.
It’s no surprise to us that gynecomastia surgery was rated the number two most “worth it” procedure by RealSelf patients: we too have seen countless men develop a new sense of self-worth and confidence after undergoing this procedure. And guys, with summer finally in sight, now is the perfect time to get the enviable beach body you’ve been craving.
Breast augmentation – 97% RealSelf “Worth It” rating
While breast augmentation surgery has evolved tremendously over the years, this keystone procedure never goes out of style. Breast surgery allows a woman to achieve rounder, perkier, more symmetrical breasts and feel more sexy & confident in her own skin. And thanks to advances in the plastic surgery field, breast augmentation surgery now boasts a quicker and easier recovery period than ever before.
At Hess Plastic Surgery, we understand that each of our patients has their own unique goals, needs, and anatomies. Dr. Hess accommodates this individuality by encouraging his breast augmentation patients to try on 15 to 30 different pairs of implants and empowering them to make decisions regarding their augmentation by giving them plenty of in-depth information during their consultations.
Mommy makeover – 96% RealSelf “Worth It” rating
The mommy makeover has risen in popularity over the years due to its ability to reduce surgery & recovery time and costs by combining multiple procedures. Though there is no standard set of procedures that comprise a mommy makeover, the surgery typically includes a combination of breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction—but as the RealSelf article points out, a mommy makeover can also include a breast lift, breast reduction, and even non-surgical facial treatments, such as dermal fillers and Botox. The beauty of a mommy makeover lies in its ability to be custom-tailored to each patient’s needs and desires with the ultimate goal of returning a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy state.
If you’ve been considering plastic surgery to shed excess skin and fat, now is the perfect time. As one RealSelf patient smartly noted, “I wouldn’t have ever found the right time for my [mommy makeover] surgery during a ‘normal’ year.”
Tummy tuck – 96% RealSelf “Worth It” rating
At its core (pun intended), a tummy tuck, a.k.a. abdominoplasty, reduces excess skin & fat and tightens the abdomen. Depending on a patient’s goals and body type, a tummy tuck also may include:
- Removal of the skin pouch that hangs over the pelvis (clinically referred to as a panniculectomy)
- Diastasis recti repair (re-tightening abdominal muscles that cause the belly to protrude)
- Liposuction of the belly, flanks, hips, and/or thighs
The ultimate goal of a tummy tuck is to undo the stretching and sagging that pregnancy, childbirth, and weight fluctuations cause to the skin and muscles of the belly over time.
At Hess Plastic Surgery, we also offer a mini tummy tuck, perfect for patients who wish to address a more limited amount of sagging skin in the lower belly. A mini tummy tuck also requires less downtime and cost than a full tummy tuck.
Botox – 94% RealSelf “Worth It” rating
Consistently one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures, Botox hardly needs an introduction. It’s fast (injections take just minutes), requires no downtime, and is incredibly effective at temporarily reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles (think: crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead lines). Botox takes about a week to take full effect and results usually last between three to six months. And like the RealSelf article points out, Botox can also help reduce teeth grinding, migraines, and eye twitches.
If you’re new to Botox, we recommend starting out small. You’ll be surprised how just a few precisely-placed injections (commonly referred to as “Baby Botox”) can take years off your face and soften your expression, making you look instantly more approachable. You can learn more about micro Botox injections by contacting our office.
What makes a procedure “Worth It”?
RealSelf’s “worth it” rating is based on actual reviews from RealSelf patients. While this is one good measurement of a patient’s overall satisfaction with a procedure, we believe that a procedure’s worthiness depends largely on working with a board certified plastic surgeon who has extensive expertise in that procedure. Board certification ensures that a surgeon has gone through rigorous training in a full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures, has passed numerous written and oral exams, and is considered to be a fully qualified plastic surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Christopher L. Hess is a board certified plastic surgeon with over 17 years of experience serving patients in the Fairfax, VA & Washington D.C. area. He is also a RealSelf Top Contributor, meaning he is considered a trusted source of knowledge and expertise in plastic surgery by the RealSelf community. To learn more about any of the procedures mentioned in this post or in RealSelf’s Top 20 list, contact us online or call (703) 752-6608 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hess.