In Chicago, plastic surgery may not be as popular as it is in cities like Los Angeles or New York, but it is quickly becoming the fastest growing medical sector in the region. Popular plastic surgery procedures in Chicago include Botox, tummy tucks, liposuctions, laser skin rejuvenation and breast augmentation.

If you're considering Chicago plastic surgery, read on for a full overview of each of these five popular treatments, including a hot tip on where you can find the best cosmetic doctors in Chicago.

Botox Injections

The most requested Chicago plastic surgery treatments are Botox injections. Because Botox isn't technically a surgical procedure, it requires little financial commitment and doesn't permanently affect a patient's appearance, so is consequently in high demand.

By limiting the ability of facial muscles to contract and display wrinkles or creases, Botox essentially paralyzes small portions of the face. This method not only reduces the appearance of wrinkles, but it can also prevent them.

The Tummy Tuck

More commonly known as a tummy tuck, the abdominoplasty is a trendy Chicago plastic surgery procedure for mothers who have undergone multiple births or for individuals who are reclaiming their bodies after significant weight loss.

A tummy tuck surgery wasn't developed to remove excess fat and so isn't intended for obese patients. Instead, ideal abdominoplasty patients should be an average weight and simply in need of a basic abdominal restructuring and tightening of existing skin.

Liposuction Procedure

Surprisingly, liposuction is actually quite invasive. The procedure begins when the surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a hollow, long needle into that cut. The needle is then used to both scrape away fat cells and suction them out of the body.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin therapies are becoming increasingly common in Chicago. Plastic surgery has expanded beyond the scalpel and into laser light therapy, which penetrates deeper and longer than chemical peels or microdermabrasion procedures to reveal younger, brighter looking skin.

While the actual length of a full laser skin resurfacing is only about 10 to 20 minutes, the recovery time can be as lengthy as 10 days depending on the depth of the treatment. While patients typically are able to return to regular activities the next day, scarring and redness may last for the full 10 days.

Breast Implants

By inserting an implant, saline or silicone, either above or behind the breast muscle, a breast augmentation seeks to improve the size and shape of a woman's breast. It's a full surgical procedure and recovery can take several weeks.

Finding a Doctor or Practice in Chicago

If you're looking for a Chicago plastic surgery practitioner or office, try searching the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's database on their website.