People often mix up cosmetic surgeries and plastic surgeries. To understand what the pros and cons of each one are, you first need to understand the difference between them. While cosmetic surgery deals with the aesthetic appearance of an individual, plastic surgery is used for medical purposes, such as correcting major birth defects (i.e., cleft palate) or repairing burns and injuries (i.e., scarring or deformities).

Some popular types of cosmetic surgeries are:

• Body contouring (liposuction, breast augmentation, and buttock reduction)
• Skin rejuvenation (such as botox or filler treatment)
• Facial contouring (chin augmentation or reduction and rhinoplasty)

Plastic surgery variants, on the other hand, include:

• Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
• Burn repair surgery
• Scar revision surgery

Cosmetic surgeries today are popular for many reasons. One of them is the boost in self-confidence. As this alters the appearance, people are more confident and comfortable. This, in turn, boosts their self-esteem. Sometimes, cosmetic surgeries can also have physical health benefits. For instance, in the case of rhinoplasty, your inherent breathing difficulties can be corrected. A tummy reduction, on the other hand, reduces the level of discomfort. Cosmetic surgeries are permanent. Once undergone, the desired look stays permanently. Moreover, while you are up for a cosmetic intervention, the surgeon would give you a consultation on all the possible side effects that could take place post-surgery.

Some of the things to be aware of before going in for a cosmetic surgery procedure are:

1. Chances of an infection 
Skin infections or cellulitis is one of the possible complications of this. Although rare, intravenous (IV) antibiotics are administered by your surgeon. The possibility and chances of getting an infection cannot be assured by medical experts, as it may vary depending on several factors.

2. Hematoma
Hematoma refers to the accumulation of blood under the skin, which is quite common in almost all cosmetic surgeries. Hematoma is more common in males than in females. This side effect can be resolved by draining the blood in case there is a lot of blood accumulated.

3. Nerve damage
This is a common side effect of surgical procedures. The symptoms of nerve damage are numbness and tingling sensation under the skin. This problem might be temporary and may resolve with time. However, if it becomes permanent, it could be irreversible. Sometimes, many women experience sensitivity issues after breast augmentation and may experience permanent changes, too.

The list of complications associated with cosmetic surgeries is long. Nevertheless, scores of individuals opt for these surgeries, since the incidences of side effects are rare. If you wish to undergo cosmetic surgery, you should at least consult more than one doctor for their opinions to understand the side effects and changes this procedure could have on your body.