Some beliefs are repeated so often that they are accepted without question. Some are harmless; others lead to the wrong decision. Let us take ten of them.
1. “Liposuction makes you lose weight”
Not true. Liposuction is a contouring procedure, not a weight-loss method. The fat removed weighs far less than people expect, and the change on the scale is usually limited.
It also acts only on fat beneath the skin. Intra-abdominal (visceral) fat lies under the muscle layer and cannot be removed this way — if the abdomen still protrudes when the muscles are tightened, that is where the fat is.
2. “There are surgical techniques that leave no scar”
Not true. Wherever skin is cut, a permanent scar forms. What varies is where the scar sits, how long it is and how well it can be concealed.
In some procedures the scar really is very small — the eyelid crease, the edge of the areola, inside the mouth, within the hairline. But there is no technique that cuts skin and leaves no scar. Be cautious of any claim that promises one.
3. “Having it done young gives a better result”
It depends on the situation; the generalisation is wrong. In some procedures young skin is an advantage because it is more elastic. But some decisions cause problems when taken too early:
Removing buccal fat can add to the volume loss that becomes apparent later. A hair transplant performed before the pattern of loss has settled can leave a new bare area behind the grafted zone a few years on. Gynaecomastia surgery carried out during adolescence may recur.
The right question is not age but whether the picture has settled.
4. “I'll see the result in a month”
Incomplete. Most of the swelling subsides over the first months, but that is not the final result.
The contour settles at 3–6 months and the scar at 12. After rhinoplasty the final appearance takes about a year. Judging by how things look at one month is premature and creates needless anxiety.
5. “Drinking less water after surgery reduces swelling”
False, and harmful. Restricting fluids does not reduce swelling; adequate intake is part of both wound healing and lowering the risk of clots.
What reduces swelling: the compression garment, elevating the area, frequent short walks.
6. “I'll quit smoking on the day of surgery, that's enough”
That is not enough. Stopping at least 4 weeks before surgery is a recommendation supported by level 1 evidence. In those who stopped for longer than four weeks, rates of wound infection, wound separation and delayed healing were significantly lower than in those who stopped for less than two weeks.
Abstinence should also continue until healing is complete. E-cigarettes and nicotine patches fall in the same category — the real problem is nicotine's effect on blood vessels.
7. “It makes more sense to have everything done in one session”
Not always. Combined surgery is appropriate in some situations, but as operating time lengthens the risk of clots and of complications in general rises.
8. “Expensive means better” or “cheap means bad”
A high price is no guarantee of a good result; but a price far below what you would expect is usually a sign that something has been left out.
What determines the result is technique, correct patient selection, the setting in which the operation is performed and the follow-up afterwards. All of these cost money: a fully equipped hospital, an experienced anaesthesia team, the option of overnight monitoring, a surgeon you can reach if a complication arises. If the price is very low, one of these items may have been cut.
So look not at the price but at what the price covers: where the procedure will take place, who will give the anaesthetic, whether overnight monitoring is available, whom you would contact in case of a complication, whether follow-up visits are included.
9. “If it looked good on a celebrity, it will on me too”
No. The same procedure gives very different results on different anatomies. Bone structure, skin thickness, existing tissue distribution, age and the way you heal are individual.
A result seen on social media tells you nothing about what will happen with your anatomy. Nor do you know the conditions in which the image was taken, or how long after surgery.
10. “Surgery will fix my self-esteem”
This is the item that calls for the most care. For someone with a concrete complaint, surgery brings clear benefit. But if the expectation is not about the body and belongs to another part of life, an operation will not meet it.
There is a medical counterpart to this: in body dysmorphic disorder, satisfaction after surgery is low and complaints may increase. That is why a good consultation assesses not only the tissue but the expectation.
Tip — If you can describe your expectation concretely (“this area bothers me, I struggle in this situation”), that is a good sign. If the description turns abstract (“I don't feel good about myself, I want everything fixed”), it needs to be talked through openly at the consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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My doctor says something different — which should I follow?
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Are before-and-after photos reliable?
This content is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Every person is different; suitability and the process can only be determined by a personal examination and consultation.
Op. Dr. Yasemin Aydınlı
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic SurgeonOffers personalized aesthetic solutions with a priority on naturalness and balance.