Plastic surgery procedures are being done today that were not conceivable a decade ago. This is not referring to advancements in surgical technology but to what lengths patients are willing to go to obtain improvements of minor concerns. This is truly a reflection of contemporary American culture and not how far the science of plastic surgery has evolved.

As I talk with friends and colleagues about some of the plastic surgery procedures that I do today, I have come to realize that some of them may be considered 'unusual' . Certainly, some of them are different than traditional perceptions of plastic surgery. Many are relatively minor procedures that can be performed in the office and probably reflect the trend toward treating smaller concerns. They are the opposite of bariatric plastic surgery, for example, where a new subspecialty of plastic surgery has developed to treat the sequelae of gastric bypass and massive weight loss patients. The development of big plastic surgery procedures occurs very infrequently perhaps every few decades. But the emergence of more minor plastic surgery procedures occurs much more frequently. Here is a list of my unusual plastic surgery procedures that have emerged and become popular in the past decade.

Buttock Implants/Fat Injections - The appeal of a larger, more rounded buttocks is certainly a body image of recent note. Whether done by transferring fat from one body part to another or by an implant placed through an incision near the tailbone, the desire for buttock enhancement could not have been envisioned ten or twenty years ago. There is actually a great number of patients who would like buttock reduction but no single good procedure exists for that problem.

Labioplasty (Labial Reduction) - A protruding or enlarged labia can be both a source of irritation and embarrassment and is becoming an increasingly common procedure. One would never have thought that such a concealed part of the anatomy would create a demand for treatment. A very simple and effective procedure, labial reduction restores the outer appearance of the vagina to a more youthful appearance.

Earlobe Reduction/Enhancement - As woman age and with the lifelong use of ear rings, the ear lobes will frequently get longer. The size of the ar lobe can easily8 be reduced in the office and it is a procedure that I often do at the same time of a facelift. Aging may also make one's earlobes get quite thin and almost shriveled in appearance in very thin females. Injectable fillers, such as Juvaderm or Radiesse, can give an immediate rejuvenation effect to the earlobes that may last as long as a year.

Eyebrow/Eyelash Transplants - The science of hair transplantation has evolved to the point that single hair (follicle) transplants are now routinuely done in scalp hair restoration. It is quite logical that single follicular transplantation be applied to very small areas such as the eyebrow and even the eye lashes. The alternatives of permanent makeup, colored pencils, and false eyelashes made opting for actual hair tranplants a difficult decision. But some few patients do.

Bellybutton Change (Umbilicoplasty) - While most commonly seen as part of a tummy tuck, more non-tummy tuck patients want their belly button changed. Most commonly, it is to change an outie to an inne belly button. Nipple Reduction/Nipple Enlargement - I have seen it both ways. The concern of large nipples is that they can be very visible through clothes...and at all times. Reducing the size of the nipple is a simple procedure and some women may lose a little sensation. Most recently, I have started to some men that want their nipples reduced also! With the opposite concern, niple enlargement is usualy about fixing a nipple which turns inward (inverted nipple) to one that points outward. While not quite as predictable (long-term result) as nipple reduction, the nipple can be released and brought more outward.

Corner of Mouth Lift - The downturning of the corners of one's mouth with age gives a sad or angry appearance. A simple procedure in which a small amount of skin is removed and the corners lifted up and the mouth line leveled gives a nice and subtle improvement. Such a procedure is a simple office operation or is often done as part of a facelift. This is actually an old procedure that has now been 'reinvented' or rediscovered.

One wonders what this list will be in another ten years!


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Board-certified plastic surgeon of Indianapolis, Dr. Barry Eppley, is in private practice at Clarian North and West Medical Centers in suburban Indianapolis. He writes a daily blog on plastic surgery at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com as well as daily articles for internet distribution.