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More than 18 million cosmetic procedures were done in the US in 2019, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, some people wonder about the safety of cosmetic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you're thinking about having plastic surgery, below is essential information to consider about these procedures during the pandemic.
Many Americans have stayed home during the pandemic, working from the house and not going to the gym, among other things.
With more time to themselves, some people have noticed their physical imperfections during these months. They've been working out at home, changing their wardrobes, etc. Also, millions of people are doing video calls for their jobs and seeing their faces and other things they may not like about their bodies.
For example, being at home and being on camera has led to an increase in demand for injectable fillers to smooth wrinkles and deep lines in the face.
With people spending more time seeing themselves on computer screens with video cameras, it's understandable that there has been an increase in interest in many plastic surgeries.
Another factor about working from home: Downtime after surgery isn't as big an issue as before. Usually, patients need to stay home from their jobs for at least a week or two after breast augmentation or a tummy tuck. For a facelift, you might need to keep around the house for a few weeks.
But now, people are not only working from home, but they're also wearing masks any time they go in public. So, these differences make it easier to undergo many plastic surgeries. However, some elective procedures have been delayed during the pandemic, including cosmetic procedures.
While some less invasive cosmetic procedures such as facial resurfacing have gotten more popular during the pandemic, some elective surgeries have declined. These include nose surgeries that help with breathing and those that help with some forms of skin cancer.
Some plastic surgeons report there is some concern about getting exposed to COVID-19 by having plastic surgery. But most say they're confident that robust safety measures are in place that should make people satisfied that they can get many procedures safely.
For example, plastic surgery offices adhere to strict social distancing guidelines. If you think about the adherence to COVID-19 rules and procedures from the country's top health authorities, most plastic surgery facilities, follow them, too.
Also, plastic surgeons screen patients carefully to ensure they aren't infected with the virus and bring it into the office. Everyone who works in the facility is trained and educated to mask carefully and adequately wash their hands after every interaction.
They also clean all surfaces in their facilities every hour or two that could be a way for the virus to be transmitted.
Further, every patient is tested for the COVID-19 virus before they are admitted for a procedure. If they test positive, the procedure is delayed until the person has been negative for two weeks.
As the pandemic lockdowns started in 2020 and many plastic surgery facilities closed, surgeons still stayed in touch with their patients with virtual visits. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons measured how telemedicine was used during this period and found that most member surgeons used it to see patients:
Based on the results of their telemedicine visits in 2020, member surgeons predicted that the following treatments would be the most popular after offices reopened. Injectable fillers were most requested, followed by traditional plastic surgeries:
The intense interest in plastic surgery procedures during the pandemic suggests that most patients are confident in plastic surgeons and the public health system. They expect that surgeons will be able to reopen safely and conduct business as usual.
Have you been thinking about plastic surgery during the pandemic? Dr. Aric Aghayan is proud to serve Portland area patients at his practice, Après Plastic Surgery. He will meet with you for your Portland plastic surgery consultation today. He'll go over the options, your goals, and more to determine if you're an ideal candidate for plastic surgery.
You won't regret your decision!
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Enjoy the pinnacle of cosmetic surgery expertise with board-certified Portland Plastic Surgeon Dr. Aric Aghayan at Après Plastic Surgery. With a legacy of over 1600 successful body contouring procedures, Dr. Aghayan stands as the foremost specialist in advanced body contouring technology and treatment options. Take the next big step on your beauty journey by scheduling a comprehensive plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Aghayan today.