Welcome to our top 10 fascinating roundup of plastic replacements, where we explore innovative, biodegradable materials that could reshape our daily lives.

Why This Top 10 Fascinating List Matters

10 Fungus

Imagine if you could grow your own surfboard, urn, or furniture.

Fungus is invading the ecodesign industry, replacing materials like Styrofoam, protective packaging, insulation, acoustics, core materials, and even aquatic products. (Wax up the mushroom surfboards!)

By simply culturing fungi in different ways, a vast array of materials like rubber, leather, cork, and plastic can “germinate” like a plant sprouting from a seed. This is because fungi consists of many different filaments which grow from a core.

At some point, those filaments start branching out to create a network. When fungus grows with wood pulp, for example, it decomposes the wood while simultaneously gluing the pulp together. The result is a composite which is held together naturally.

If the thought of a fungi chair growing in your living room sounds slightly grotesque, fear no more. Mycelial products are rendered inert before the point of distribution. By baking at precise temperatures, the microorganisms are inactivated while the mass and new structure itself is solidified.

The end result? A material that is light, strong, fire‑resistant, water‑repellent, and fully compostable—breaking down within 180 days.

9 Algae

Sustained by four simple ingredients—carbon dioxide, sunlight, water, and inorganic nutrients—algae are very reasonable in their dietary needs. What else is there to love about algae?

Serving as bioremediators, algae have the incredible ability to consume waterborne contaminants while quickly yielding clean water. Through the process of photosynthesis, algae also capture carbon dioxide and produce fresh, clean oxygen. A bioplastic producer called Solaplast reveals that each pound of algae collected for production consumes approximately two pounds of carbon dioxide.

The process of creating this type of biplastic requires breaking down harvested algae into tiny granules. Companies can then produce 100 percent algae‑based plastics or a mixture of algae and petroleum. These granules become a key ingredient in a variety of consumer products such as USB drives, toys, eyeglass frames, key chains, road signs, food packaging, and lamps.

So, what’s the future for these mighty little beings? According to researchers, the hunt is on for a new species of algae which produces the right kind of hydrocarbons and sugars.

8 Potato Starch

Did you know that the starchy residue left over in the production of potato chips and french fries could be an eco‑friendly ingredient in the composition of your bioplastic bag?

A company called BioLogiQ is successfully combining potato starches with polyurethane to produce plastic bags that are much stronger and thinner than entirely polyurethane‑made bags.

The outcome? A potato‑based plastic that requires less polyurethane than traditional bags and reduces the use of oil‑based materials. Sounds like a step in the right direction.

No longer a spectator to the promising advantages of starch‑based products, the pharmaceutical industry is now widely incorporating potato starch in the production of medicinal capsules. In fact, making potato starch bioplastic is so easy that you can follow the process at home with common household ingredients.

7 Millets, Rice, Wheat Edible Cutlery

Imagine if you could eat your cutlery right alongside your meal. Bakeys Edible Cutlery, the future of eco‑friendly utensils, has figured out the perfect combination of simple grains (and a touch of salt) to produce a nutritious alternative to landfill‑bound plastic disposables.

Without using added fat or emulsifiers, the recipe is so simple that the shelf life of these crispy, moisture‑free utensils averages three years (if you can resist eating them). The main ingredient in Bakeys cutlery is a hearty and abundant crop that requires little energy for cultivation—sorghum flour.

A Bakeys representative said, “Of the energy it takes to produce one plastic utensil, we can produce 100 sorghum‑based spoons.” Additionally, an increased demand for sorghum may motivate farmers to focus their energy on growing millet over rice, requiring 60 times less water to propagate.

Keep an eye out for this totally vegan alternative to plastic on the market. Bakeys will soon be releasing edible chopsticks, dessert spoons, forks, cups, and plates in three flavors. The only decision will be: plain, sweet, or spicy?

6 Banana Tree

A resourceful new technique for ecoplastic production is blossoming from a surprising locale—the banana plantations of the Canary Islands and Uganda.

The banana fruit is harvested, but the remainder of the plant typically goes to waste. An estimated 25,000 tons of this natural fiber is dumped in ravines around the Canaries every year. An eco‑blunder with a promising future!

The natural fibers of the banana tree are incredibly durable and useful in the production of rotationally molded plastics—a technique used to make everyday items such as water tanks, wheelie bins, traffic cones, and even boats.

Once processed, treated, and added to a mixture of plastic material, the banana plant fibers can be incorporated to strengthen plastics and reduce the amount of polyurethane used by a substantial degree. What’s more, opportunities for research and development are already creating jobs and increasing profits for banana tree growers.

5 Leaf

Still in its Kickstarter phase, Leaf Republic has conceived of a method that turns fallen leaves into tableware. Their vision? No chemicals, no plastic, and not a single tree cut down. In fact, these plastic replacements are as renewable and biodegradable as the vines from which they fall.

The leaves are sourced from local villagers in Asia and South America. They sustainably collect the leaves from species of the “wild creeper.”

Designed for durability and multiple uses, three layers of leaves are stitched together with palm fibers. The product is a naturally elegant work of art—you won’t want to leaf them at home!

4 Corn

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a substitute for plastic that is made from fermented cornstarch. It has already hit the bio‑based plastic market, albeit with its fair share of issues. Have you ever found yourself confused about how to dispose of takeout containers with PLA labels?

As they look almost identical to common plastic recyclables, PLA containers often end up in the recycling stream rather than the compost bin. This slows down the entire waste management process.

Though certified PLA is expected to biodegrade, the process is painstakingly slow under typical landfill conditions. For example, a PLA bottle is estimated to take anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill.

Furthermore, PLA is typically made from genetically modified corn—a process in which the environmental and social effects are unknown and potentially harmful.

Any redeeming qualities? Though many steps need to be made in the proper use of PLA products, proponents observe its effectiveness as a renewable, carbon‑absorbing, plant‑based material. Also, when incinerated, PLA does not emit the toxic fumes characteristic of traditional petroleum‑based products.

3 Cassava

Cassava grows abundantly in Southeast Asia, but don’t underestimate this cheap and common root vegetable. A recipe combining vegetable oil, organic resins, and cassava starch promises a 100 percent biodegradable and compostable plastic alternative.

Cassava‑based plastic can instantly break down in hot water and takes only a few months to decompose on land or at sea while leaving no trace of toxic residue. The team producing cassava plastic bags at Avani Eco maintains that this bioplastic is so harmless to sea animals that a human can drink it after dissolving it in hot water.

Avani Eco now produces four tons of cassava‑based material a day that is used for products including plastic bags, food packaging, and covers for hospital beds.

2 Shrimp Shells

Could the overabundance of crustacean shell waste in Egypt be the answer to the search for an eco‑friendly plastic?

The natural polymer derived from the hardy shells of shrimp is called chitosan, a form of chitin, and is the second most abundant material on Earth. The most available chitin comes from discarded shrimp shells, although this long‑chain polysaccharide can also be found in other crustaceans, fungal cell walls, armor‑like insect cuticles, and butterfly wings. In fact, just 1 kilogram (2 lb) of shells can yield 15 biodegradable bags.

To make the bioplastic, the collected shrimp shells are boiled in acid to remove their calcium carbonate. An alkaline substance is applied to produce the long molecular chain of which the biopolymer is comprised. The dried chitosan is then dissolved and developed into a polymer, plastic‑like film using conventional processing techniques.

The resulting polymer is biodegradable, has antibacterial properties, and makes use of otherwise wasted materials. Shrimp shell‑derived polymers may be one of the more obscure bioplastic materials and just the type of creative thinking we need.

1 Hemp

What makes hemp an ideal bioplastic material?

The natural fiber composite harvested from the Cannabis sativa L. stalks (aka hemp) is an affordable, biodegradable, recyclable, and toxin‑free material. Applications range from cordage to automotive parts, Styrofoam, and even resilient building materials.

The Cannabis plant is not called “weed” for nothing. From seed to harvest, hemp plants take just three to four months to grow and have adapted to every continent except Antarctica. As hemp plants are amazing at absorbing carbon dioxide, they grow quickly and outpace competing plants. Hemp plants also require few pesticides, fertilizers, and water, providing a low‑maintenance, high‑yielding crop.

With the technological advancement of 3‑D printing, the future of hemp bioplastics looks promising. Companies such as Kanesis and Zeoform are using hemp cellulose as the feedstock for 3‑D printers and are producing an almost unlimited product range.

When you hear the phrase “plastic surgery,” the mind usually jumps straight to pricey vanity procedures performed on the rich and famous. Yet the reality is far richer and more surprising. Below are 10 fascinating facts about plastic surgery that pull back the curtain on its ancient roots, wartime breakthroughs, life‑saving innovations, and even the booming market of medical tourism.

10 Fascinating Facts Overview

10 Its Name Has Nothing To Do With Plastic

The earliest recorded use of what we now call plastic surgery dates back to the 1500s, when Italian physician Gaspare Tagliacozzi revived a technique originally described in an Indian manuscript from a millennium earlier. He successfully rebuilt a patient’s damaged nose using a flap taken from the inner arm. The word “plastic” itself didn’t enter the medical lexicon until 1837—well before the synthetic polymer we know today was invented.

Derived from the Greek plastikos, meaning “to shape” or “to mold,” the term originally described the art of reshaping damaged or malformed tissue. By the mid‑19th century, advances in anesthesia and sterilization opened the door to more daring endeavors, including the first true rhinoplasty procedures.

Despite its clear potential, plastic surgery lingered without formal recognition as a distinct medical specialty for many years. Early practitioners focused on repairing disfigurements caused by injury or disease, paving the way for the cosmetic boom we see today.

9 Breast Augmentation Has A Longer History Than You Think

The first successful breast augmentation was not a vanity project at all but a reconstructive triumph. In 1895, German surgeon Vincenz Czerny used a sizable lipoma—an innocuous fatty tumor—from a patient’s back to rebuild a breast that had been partially removed due to a large tumor.

For the next seven decades, surgeons experimented with a parade of materials—paraffin, alcohol‑soaked sponges, even beeswax—none of which proved suitable for long‑term use. The breakthrough finally arrived in the early 1960s when a young resident named Frank Gerow in Houston observed a blood‑bag’s pliability and envisioned a silicone implant.

Gerow’s first animal trial succeeded, and when the first human volunteer, Timmie Jean Lindsey, agreed to the procedure (originally seeking tattoo removal), the result was a lasting, functional augmentation. Remarkably, she still retains those pioneering implants today.

8 Modern Reconstructive Surgery Was Pioneered During World War I

By the early 1900s, anesthesia and antisepsis had already enabled surgeons to tackle delicate reconstructions, but nothing compared to the challenges presented by World War I. New weapons produced unprecedented facial and tissue injuries, prompting a rapid evolution in surgical techniques.

New Zealand‑born, London‑based Harold Gillies—now hailed as the father of modern plastic surgery—stepped up to meet the crisis. Between 1917 and 1925, his team performed over 11,000 procedures on more than 3,000 soldiers, pioneering skin‑ and muscle‑grafting methods never before attempted.

One of Gillies’s most ingenious contributions was the “tube pedicle” or “walking‑stalk” skin flap. By rolling a graft into a tube and gradually advancing it toward the wound, he dramatically lowered infection rates in an era before antibiotics, saving countless lives.

7 A Plastic Surgeon Helped Make Cars Safer

Auto‑safety debates were raging in the 1930s, but a 1935 Readers’ Digest article titled “—And Sudden Death” mainly shamed reckless drivers rather than addressing vehicle design. Detroit plastic surgeon Claire Straith, after years of reconstructing faces of crash victims, saw a clearer path forward.

Straith wrote a pointed letter to Walter P. Chrysler, prompting the automaker to roll out five 1937 models featuring safety‑first details: rubber‑covered buttons, rounded door handles, and recessed knobs. These innovations marked the first time a car manufacturer deliberately engineered for occupant protection.

Although Straith’s other recommendations—padded dashboards and seat belts—took longer to become standard, she personally installed both in her own car years before they entered mainstream production.

6 A Plastic Surgeon Performed The First Organ Transplant

Organ transplantation might not immediately evoke plastic surgery, yet the delicate tissue‑handling skills essential to both fields overlap dramatically. In 1954, renowned plastic surgeon Joseph E. Murray achieved the first successful kidney transplant, using an organ donated by the patient’s identical twin.

Murray had already earned acclaim for treating severe burns and facial disfigurements, but this kidney operation broke new ground: it proved that organ replacement was feasible, opening a floodgate of research into transplantation biology.

Following the triumph, Murray helped pioneer the first generation of immunosuppressive drugs in the 1960s. His contributions earned him the 1990 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine—making him one of only nine surgeons, and the sole plastic surgeon, ever to receive the honor.

5 A Plastic Surgeon Also Performed The First Successful Hand Transplant

Warren Breidenbach, chief of reconstructive and plastic surgery at the University of Arizona, has become the world’s leading authority on composite tissue transplantation. In 1999, he performed the first successful hand transplant, restoring a lost limb to Matthew Scott, who had been without his hand for 14 years after a fireworks accident.

The operation demanded three years of meticulous planning and intense ethical scrutiny, as earlier attempts in 1964 and 1998 had failed due to immune rejection. Breidenbach’s breakthrough hinged on refined immunosuppressive protocols and precise microsurgical techniques.

Since that landmark case, over 85 patients worldwide have received hand or arm transplants, ranging from adults to children, many of whom are veterans or victims of explosives. As of 2016, Breidenbach had performed more hand transplants than any other surgeon and mentored the majority of U.S. specialists in this niche field.

4 ‘Medical Tourism’ For Plastic Surgery Is Exploding

In the United States, high costs, long wait times, and opaque pricing have driven many patients to seek care abroad. While some imagine back‑alley clinics, the reality is a sophisticated global market offering state‑of‑the‑art facilities at a fraction of domestic prices.

Mexico and Brazil have long been popular destinations, but newer hubs such as Dubai and Thailand are reshaping the landscape. Thailand, in particular, has become a world leader in medical tourism, boasting cutting‑edge equipment, internationally trained surgeons, and hospitals that feel more like luxury resorts than clinical wards.

In 2013 alone, Thailand attracted $4.3 billion in revenue from foreign patients, underscoring the massive demand for high‑quality, affordable procedures ranging from cosmetic enhancements to complex reconstructive surgeries.

3 The Newest Techniques Don’t Involve Surgery At All

Even for classic procedures like facelifts, innovators are constantly hunting for less invasive alternatives. New York plastic surgeon Doug Steinbrech pioneered a “surgery‑free” facelift using a specialized device that gently stretches the skin over three hours (under anesthesia). Though tiny sutures are still required, patients can expect full recovery in just five days, with a price tag of roughly $35,000.

Another New York practitioner, Dr. Doris Day, has championed non‑surgical fat reduction using high‑intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). This technology heats and liquefies stubborn fat deposits, allowing the body to absorb them naturally—essentially a needle‑free liposuction.

Day describes the approach as “the newest kid on the block for helping to resculpt and melt fat,” emphasizing its ability to deliver dramatic results without the traditional scalpel, stitches, or lengthy downtime.

2 Men Are Pulling Even With Women

While cosmetic surgery has long been stereotyped as a female‑dominated arena, recent data reveal a rapid surge in male patients. In 2014, men accounted for $14 billion of the global aesthetic market—a figure that has risen dramatically over the past two decades.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports a 273 percent increase in male patients between 1997 and 2014, with a 43 percent jump in just the five years preceding that period. Many men view these procedures as a career investment, seeking a youthful appearance that matches their professional success.

Dr. Steinbrech notes, “Men are at the top of their career, they feel young and confident, but they worry they don’t look it.” As demand grows, the industry continues to refine techniques to meet the unique aesthetic goals of male clientele.

1 Full Face Transplants Are Increasingly Feasible

In 2012, Baltimore plastic surgeon Eduardo Rodriguez performed what remains the most extensive full‑face transplant to date, rescuing Richard Norris after a self‑inflicted shotgun injury devastated his facial structure. The operation restored not only appearance but critical functions such as breathing, eating, and speaking.

The first partial face transplant occurred in 2006, but Norris’s case marked a monumental leap in microsurgical capability. Though the patient must remain on lifelong immunosuppressants to prevent rejection, his new face is fully functional, underscoring the life‑changing potential of this technology.

Rodriguez repeated his success in 2015 with firefighter Patrick Hardison, whose facial tissue had been destroyed in a blaze. The procedure yielded astonishing results, and as of mid‑2016, over 30 patients worldwide have undergone full or partial face transplants, with only three reported deaths—a relatively low figure given the procedure’s complexity.

Plastic waste is a never‑ending world problem. Everyone knows the planet is drowning in plastic. Literally. Researchers warn that if current habits persist, there will be more plastic than fish swimming in the oceans by 2050. Yet scientists are busy turning this crisis into opportunity, unveiling 10 surprising uses of plastic waste that range from tasty flavorings to high‑octane jet fuel.

10 Plastic Bottles Converted into Vanilla Flavoring

10 Surprising Uses of Plastic Bottles

In the ultimate two‑birds‑one‑stone scenario, researchers are tackling plastic bottle overflow while satisfying the soaring demand for vanilla. Vanillin, the molecule behind vanilla’s sweet scent and flavor, traditionally comes from beans or synthetic chemistry and ends up in everything from baked goods to cosmetics. By repurposing PET bottles, scientists have found a shortcut.

Two chemists at Scotland’s University of Edinburgh discovered that the terephthalic acid derived from PET can be transformed into vanillin using engineered E. coli bacteria. Because the chemical structures of terephthalic acid and vanillin are closely related, the conversion proceeds smoothly, offering a clever route to meet global vanillin cravings while gobbling up plastic bottles.

9 Plastic into Jet Fuel in Less Than an Hour

Although chemical recycling has long promised high‑quality outputs, the process usually guzzles energy and drags on for days. Washington State University researchers flipped the script, inventing a catalytic method that turns polyethylene into jet fuel in under an hour.

The new process converts roughly 90 % of the plastic feedstock into usable jet fuel and valuable lubricants, all while demanding less heat and energy than legacy techniques. The team is now scaling the technology, hoping its rapid, low‑temperature approach will reshape the future of plastic‑to‑fuel conversion.

8 Plastic Could Help End Sand Shortages

It sounds odd, but the world’s sand crisis—driven by construction needs and illegal “sand mafias”—could find relief in shredded plastic. Traditional sand for concrete either comes from salty beaches (unsuitable) or smooth desert dunes (also unsuitable), prompting destructive river dredging.

Scientists have demonstrated that cleaned, shredded plastic can be crushed into sand‑like granules and blended into concrete mixes, replacing up to 10 % of the natural sand without compromising strength. Since sand makes up about a quarter of concrete, this substitution could dramatically curb the demand for environmentally harmful sand extraction.

7 Turning Plastic into Fertilizer

Only about 9 % of plastic gets recycled; the rest languishes in landfills or drifts in the ocean. A team at Tokyo Institute of Technology tackled this by chemically converting bio‑based plastics into a nitrogen‑rich fertilizer.

Using ammonolysis, the researchers broke down a by‑product of polyisobutylene (PIC) into urea, a staple fertilizer. Plant trials showed that crops fed with this plastic‑derived fertilizer outperformed those given conventional fertilizer, highlighting a promising route to recycle plastics while boosting agricultural yields.

6 Plastic Waste Converted Into T‑Shirts

Imagine swapping your old plastic bags for high‑tech workout gear. A Nature Sustainability study turned polyethylene—the staple of shopping bags—into a woven fabric suitable for activewear.

The process weaves polythene fibers on industrial looms, producing textiles that are less harmful than wool or cotton. The resulting fabric wicks moisture away, letting sweat escape, and can be dyed in any hue. Plus, it washes in cold water, slashing the energy needed for laundry and further shrinking its carbon footprint.

5 Convert Plastic into Electricity

What if discarded plastic could power the next generation of fuel cells? Researchers at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University discovered a sunlight‑driven route to turn plastic waste into formic acid, a valuable chemical for electricity generation.

By employing a photocatalyst, the team split plastic into formic acid without high‑temperature combustion, sidestepping fossil‑fuel emissions. Ongoing work aims to refine the method and expand it to produce other clean fuels, such as hydrogen.

4 Plastic Turned into a Detergent

Another low‑energy breakthrough came from a collaboration between UC Santa Barbara, the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, and Cornell. They devised a catalyst that gently chops polyethylene into smaller molecules, avoiding the intense heat of traditional recycling.

The catalyst removes a bit of hydrogen from the polymer chain, using that hydrogen to break the carbon backbone into shorter fragments. Repeating the cycle yields a liquid that can be formulated into biodegradable detergents, offering a greener alternative to conventional soap production.

3 Plastic Milk Jugs Converted into Very Strong Bricks

Kenyan innovator Nzambi Matee sees value where others see trash. Her startup, Gjenge Makers, blends shredded milk‑jugs, sandwich bags, and ropes with sand, then heats and compresses the mixture into bricks that out‑perform concrete in strength.

These bricks incorporate high‑density polyethylene from bottles, low‑density polyethylene from bags, and polypropylene from ropes. Because the feedstock is cheap and the process inexpensive, the bricks remain affordable for local communities, turning otherwise non‑recyclable waste into sturdy building material.

2 Plastic Waste Converted into Food

Would you snack on protein powder that once lived as a plastic bottle? Professors Ting Lu (University of Illinois) and Stephen Techtmann (Michigan Tech) are betting you might. Their award‑winning research uses plastic‑loving bacteria to feast on shredded waste, converting it into microbial protein.

After the bacteria metabolize the plastic, they’re harvested, dried, and powdered into a high‑protein food supplement. Early tests show the resulting powder rivals conventional protein sources, raising the tantalizing prospect of feeding a growing population while shrinking landfill mass.

1 Converting Plastic Back into Plastic

Typical recycling degrades plastic’s polymer chains, limiting how many times it can be reused before becoming unusable. Scientists are now perfecting chemical recycling that breaks plastic down to its original monomers, essentially resetting the material.

By depolymerising waste plastic back to its building blocks, manufacturers can create fresh, high‑quality polymer without the quality loss of melt‑recycling. This circular approach could keep plastic in use far longer, dramatically cutting the volume of waste headed for landfills.

Plastic surgery has existed in one form or another for hundreds of years. Of course, 16th century plastic surgery was by no means as refined as it is today, but it did set a precedent and start a trend of trying to fix, at first, disfigurements and then, in time, just things people felt were aesthetically displeasing about themselves. These days you can go to a doctor and get them to change literally any part of your body if you can afford it, whether there’s a problem with it or not. And some of the procedures being done are stranger than you’d think. 

10. Elf Ear Surgery

Ears have been a staple of fantasy and sci-fi for many years now. Specifically, ears that look a little weird. If you want to give a quick sign that someone is not quite human, you give them weird ears. Just look at Vulcans and elves, both of whom are known for having pointy ears and are generally human-looking otherwise, at least in most popular stories about them. 

The pointy ear trope is so prevalent in fiction that a certain subsection of fans have opted to make a permanent alteration to their bodies to keep the look. Rather than cosplaying as elves or other whimsical creatures, they’re getting surgery to have elf ears.

The trend has really taken off in China, where the concept of elf ears is not necessarily pointy ears but noticeable ones. The surgery makes the ears more prominent. Injections of hyaluronic acid can be used, and potentially surgical alteration by implanting cartilage behind them can make a person’s ears stand out away from their head. It’s believed this offers a more slimming appearance to the face overall.

Of course, literal elf ear surgery is also a thing where surgeons can cut into the cartilage at the top of the ear and reshape it into a point, though it’s not without complications and the potential for serious infection or malformation. 

9. Selfies May be Driving an Uptick in Nose Job Surgeries

There’s no denying we’re living in a bit of a self-obsessed age. The idea of a selfie in a time before camera phones was pretty unheard of. Most people didn’t want to waste film turning a camera on themselves. But your phone can take a million pictures and you can delete all the ones you don’t like, so it’s pretty easy to chronicle what you look like all day long every day if you want. But that does come at a price.

The way you take a picture can alter your perception of your appearance. If you hold your phone at a distance of 12 inches from your face or closer, it’s going to make your nose look 30% larger compared to all your other facial features. That works out to your nose looking 6.4% longer than it really is. The base of the nose looks wider and your chin looks shorter. Basically, every selfie has a fun house mirror effect on your face. That’s a simple matter of perspective. But in the world of selfies, you’re often limited to close up shots because you can only hold a phone at arm’s length, usually. The result has been a rise in people wanting nose jobs because they have a distorted perception of their face thanks to close up selfies. 

8. Arowana Fish Get Plastic Surgery in Asia

Not everyone knows that there have been a fair number of innovations in the world of plastic surgery for animals over the years, often for surprising reasons. Imagine, for instance, a turtle or tortoise injured in a way that nearly destroys their shell. In the past this might have killed the animal, but we can design shells for them now and perform life saving surgery. Then there’s the arowana fish.

In China these fish are a symbol of wealth and status. Why? Why not? Young fish may start at a staggering $1,000 a piece but prices can skyrocket to over $300,000 for others. They can grow to as much as three feet in length and can live for 10 to 20 years. Some owners have spent close to a million dollars establishing aquariums just to show them off. 

Because they are so prized and so valuable, they’re also well taken care of, at least in the minds of their owners. Fish with droopy eyes can be taken to a plastic surgeon to have an eyelift. According to the doctor who performs surgeries like these they’re not cruel because the fish will look better and the owner will love it more as a result. 

7. Takeji Harada Had Six Inches of Silicone Added To His Head To Meet a Sumo Height Requirement

In the world of sports it’s typically against the rules to get any kind of medical intervention that might give you an advantage. But that also usually means you’re getting performance enhancing drugs. It’s rare that plastic surgery could ever help an athlete, but it’s not impossible, as Takeji Harada proved when he found a way to become a professional sumo wrestler. 

It turns out that if you want to be a pro sumo wrestler you need to be at least 5-foot-8. Harada, who was just 16-years-old, was 5-foot-2. After being rejected many times for not meeting height requirements, Harada came up with a new plan. He had six inches of silicone implanted in his scalp, thus giving him the needed height to compete. The move prompted the Japanese Sumo Association to make an official statement saying they would no longer allow people to qualify if they artificially boosted their height. 

Harada apparently spent a year and underwent four procedures to get the required height which, in the end, was literally a six-inch mound on top of his head. Word is another wrestler just bashed his head against a wall so they could measure the bump and he’d qualify as well. 

6. Cinderella Foot Surgery

There’s a clear divide in Western society between traditional men’s and women’s footwear. A lot of women’s footwear is fairly impractical. High heeled shoes require you to walk with your foot at an uncomfortable angle, and they are often very narrow, which can squish a person’s foot. Rather than choosing different footwear, however, some women have opted to choose different feet. The Cinderella surgery allows this to happen by reshaping the foot so it fits into smaller shoes.

One doctor from Beverly Hills started doing the procedure after patients would increasingly bring in the shoes they wanted to fit into. Surgeries can include toe-shortening, toe-lengthening, and a Foot Tuck, which adds padding for wearing heels. 

The process is a bit of a self-fulfilling one as many of the patients only go to a doctor after years of wearing shoes that they shouldn’t be wearing. Their feet become deformed as a result and they need surgery to correct what happened so they can keep wearing the shoes. 

5. Beard Transplant Surgery

Hair transplants are not an entirely new concept by any means, but you may not be aware that beard transplants are also a thing for the man who has issues with growing facial hair. Patchy beards are the bane of many a man’s face, so beard transplant surgery aims to fix that by taking hair from a donor part of a man’s body, say the back of his head, and grafting it onto his face.

You could be looking at 1,000 to 1,500 individual grafts to get the desired effect. The grafted hair will also fall out as a normal part of the process. However, within three months to one year the idea is that it will take root and new hair will start growing on its own. Now whether it comes in as thick, bristly beard hair, or fine hair – like the texture of scalp hair – isn’t really addressed.

4. Abdominal Etching 

A six-pack is more than just a convenient way to enjoy beer, it’s a way to show off your well-sculpted abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability or discipline to get their body in that kind of shape. But if you still want abs without the work, maybe surgery can get you there.

Abdominal etching is a kind of liposuction that can help define your stomach muscles when crunches don’t do the trick. Fat is removed in very specific places to help accentuate the musculature, but doctors note it will work best if you already work out and stick to a healthy diet. Consider it a helping hand. 

Post-op, the patient needs to keep the lines compressed during the healing process for two weeks in what sounds a bit like reinforcing wrinkles or folds in clothing. 

3. Snapchat Filter Surgeries

We already saw how a selfie can distort someone’s body image enough to make them want surgery, but that was almost understandable. The image is being distorted, which gives the individual an incorrect perception of themselves. It’s based on an illusion. The rise in Snapchat filter surgery is a little harder to account for because, in this case, people are intentionally distorting their appearance and then wanting the reality to match it. 

Snapchat’s rise to fame in the late 2010s brought about what some called Snapchat Dysmorphia. Snapchat (and now most image-based apps do the same) allows for the application of various filters and manipulation techniques that changes the way you look in your photo. 

Filters can sometimes make drastic appearance changes, but there are many more subtle ones that might make your eyes bigger and brighter, your skin smoother and lighter, and so on. Doctors began seeing a rise in patients wanting their real appearance to mimic that filtered appearance, even when it was not even realistic. 

The result is more procedures using face fillers, Botox, nose jobs, and so on. Doctors would see patients who brought in photos of themselves with filtered features instead of pictures of celebrities they wanted to look like. Some were so unrealistic the doctors had to turn the potential patients down by telling them what they were looking for was literally impossible. 

2. Dimpleplasty

Despite how well known the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is, people are still quick to point to specific things that are apparently beautiful. You can Google it and get lists of features that might include full lips or high cheek bones, among others. Another fairly well known feature considered attractive are dimples. There’s a sense that dimples imply youthfulness and innocence. And since not everyone naturally has dimples, plastic surgery is there to ensure you at least have the option.

Dimpleplasty is the all-too-obvious name for the procedure that seeks to simply mimic the defect in cheek musculature that would normally cause a dimple. The process may require some muscle tissue to be removed, or just anchoring skin to soft tissue with sutures. For many it’s a very simple procedure that just requires a local anesthetic. 

1. Pet Plastic Surgery

The pet plastic surgery industry is about as weird as you might guess. The variety of procedures is not as high as it is for humans, but much of it still plays to vanity, but a sort of vanity-by-proxy since it’s unlikely the pets know or care that they look a certain way.

Neuticles have existed since the mid-1990s and they are an artificial testicle replacement for neutered animals. According to the company website the purpose is to help “neuter-hesitant pet owners overcome the trauma of altering and allowing their beloved pet to retain its natural look and self-esteem.” Some vets agree that it’s a great idea. Some think it’s completely ridiculous and just for insecure owners. The product has made its inventor a millionaire, however, so a lot of people are on board. 

The full range of pet surgery can be unexpected. Aside from testicular implants, people are giving their pets Botox for wrinkles and nose jobs, both of which could have practical and even life-saving reasons for certain breeds. Many pug-faced breeds do have breathing issues, and some of the wrinklier breeds can develop dangerous infections. But then there are also tummy tucks, eye lifts and even braces.

Many of the procedures are intended to improve the dog’s quality of life, though it’s debatable whether a neutered dog has any idea that it lost its testicles and now has a new pair thanks to Neuticles.

Most plastic or cosmetic surgery is apparent to the naked eye: Her breasts look bigger (or smaller or higher). His nose looks straighter. But some plastic surgery results are visible only to the recipient (and perhaps their significant other).

Requests for plastic surgery on genitalia are on the rise, motivated by desires for an improved self-image or increased sexual satisfaction. And while most plastic surgery procedures are performed on women (about 80 percent, in fact), it turns out that more men than women request work on their private parts.

This list reveals some of the procedures that are currently on the menu. Would you consider going under the knife down there?

10 Monsplasty

The mons pubis, or mons, is the triangular fatty pad covering the pubic bone, running from the top of the pubic hair down to the genitals. Both men and women have it, but it’s more obvious in women. The surgery is more popular with women, but men can also receive the benefits.

Fat accumulation and loose skin—from weight gain/loss, aging, C-section, hormones, even genetics—can lead to an enlarged mons. Monsplasty removes excess skin and fatty tissue to give the mons a firmer, flatter appearance.

While many cosmetic procedures involve liposuction to remove fat, monsplasty is surgery that uses a scalpel to remove the offending skin and fat. The procedure often accompanies a tummy tuck because a bulging mons pubis is often more noticeable after removing fatty tissue and tightening the skin on your abdomen.

While the procedure delivers aesthetic improvements, it has other benefits as well, making intercourse, urination, and even hygiene easier.^[1]

9 Labiaplasty

A labiaplasty is a vaginal rejuvenation (or “designer vagina”) procedure. Vaginal rejuvenation often involves lasers, ultrasound, or other energy devices to tighten the vaginal area. But a labiaplasty is surgery that reduces the size/shape of a woman’s genitalia.

The labia can become enlarged due to childbirth, aging, sexual activity, or genetics. The condition, when revealed by form-fitting clothing, is sometimes referred to as “camel toe” or “crotch cleavage.” An enlarged labia can cause difficulties with exercise, sex, and hygiene and may lead to urinary tract infections. It can also interfere with wearing clothes like yoga pants and swimsuits.

There are different ways to reduce the size of the labia (e.g., trim procedure, wedge procedure). The overall goal is to remove the excess part of the labia minora (the inner tissues of the female genitalia), so it lines up with the labia majora (outer part).^[2]

8 Clitoral Hood Reduction

The skin fold that covers and protects the clitoris is called the clitoral hood. The clitoris contains thousands of sensory nerve endings and is extremely sensitive. The clitoral hood protects the clitoris from friction and clothing that could irritate it. It also makes a lubricant (sebum) that helps the hood glide over the sensitive clitoris. When a woman is sexually aroused, the clitoris becomes engorged. This swelling pulls back the clitoral hood (much like the foreskin of a penis) and aids in a woman’s ability to achieve orgasm.

Some women may want to reduce their clitoral hood to eliminate discomfort. Women who’ve had the above-described labiaplasty may find their clitoral hood looks top-heavy. Other women may simply want to increase sexual clitoral sensation by exposing more of their clitoris. Each of these things can be addressed with a vaginal rejuvenation procedure called a clitoral hood reduction.

The clitoral hood reduction (aka clitoral hoodectomy, clitoral hoodoplasty, clitorial unhooding) reduces the excess tissue in the folds of the clitoris. The outpatient procedure involves trimming the skin and suturing with disposable stitches. The surgery should result in better-looking and more comfortable genitals.^[3]

7 Hymenoplasty

The hymen is the thin membrane that partially covers the vagina. In many cultures, an intact hymen is thought to be a sign of virginity, but penetrative sex isn’t the only cause of a torn hymen. The membrane can be torn by exercise, horseback or bicycle riding, tampon insertion, masturbation, or a pap smear.

Women who want to restore their hymen can opt for a hymenoplasty, also known as hymenorrhaphy or temporary hymen reconstruction. The desire to do so isn’t always cosmetic. It might stem from the cultural or religious belief that a woman must prove her virginity on her wedding night. For women who have been sexually abused or traumatized, the procedure may provide psychological and emotional relief.

With this surgery, a thin layer of tissue is taken from the vaginal wall and placed in the location of the torn hymen. The restored hymen will tighten the vaginal opening and—like the original hymen—may or may not bleed upon penetration.

This procedure, which is illegal in some European countries, provides no greater medical or physical benefit.^[4]

6 Labia Majora Augmentation with Fat Grafting

A woman who wants to plump up her labia might opt for dermal fillers like those used to make lips larger. But there’s also a longer-lasting surgical alternative: labia majora augmentation with autologous fat transfer.

This outpatient surgery liposuctions fat from the patient’s abdomen, hips, or flanks and transfers it to the labia majora. The intent is to improve the fullness and firmness of the labia majora and eliminate sagging skin for a more youthful-looking appearance.^[6]

5 G-Spot Amplification

G-Spot amplification is another surgical procedure that aims to improve a woman’s self-esteem, sensation, and libido. It also involves using autologous fat transfer. This method seeks to magnify the G-Spot up to four times and is also known as G-Shot or G-Spot augmentation.

A German doctor named Dr. Gräfenberg was the first to describe the concept of the G-Spot, an area on the front inner wall of the vagina. The procedure includes an injection of hyaluronic acid or collagen filler to this erogenous area. It is believed that this procedure increases the sensitivity, the duration of female orgasms, and their frequency.^[6]

Don’t worry, guys. We haven’t forgotten about you. The rest of this list is dedicated solely to you…

4 Penis Lengthening Surgery

A man’s perception of his genitals is directly related to his self-esteem and sexual identity. That may be why men are all-in on this cosmetic trend.

There is rarely a medical need for penis enlargement surgery. The Urology Care Foundation says it’s only necessary in cases of micropenis—an abnormally small penis caused by hormonal or genetic issues. The average penis size for an adult is 13.24 centimeters (5.21 inches) when stretched. A stretched penile length of less than 9.3 centimeters (3.66 inches) is considered a micropenis. However, the majority of men seeking this type of surgery have a penis of “normal” size.

Penis elongation surgery is a bit of a misnomer. In this procedure, the suspensory ligament that attaches the penis to the pelvic bone is cut. The enables the flaccid penis to hang lower and look slightly larger even though its size has not been altered. Sometimes a skin graft is necessary to complete the surgery. Complications are a concern. Wound separation, scarring, pubic depression, or hairlessness may occur. The penis may develop an unnatural hump at the base, while a change in the angle of erection may also result.

The penile length gained may increase by a centimeter (less than ½ an inch) or so, but it’s possible that no lengthening results. Using weights or stretching devices postoperatively—and for a period of months to years—may allow additional length gain. Removing the fat from the area around the penis can also make it look bigger than it is.^[7]

3 Penile Girth Augmentation

Increasing penile girth is another sought-after cosmetic procedure. Achieving good results (i.e., symmetrically increased girth) is difficult. Girth surgery can lead to severe complications and deformities.

The patient’s own fat is injected into the penis. If the injections are irregular or too much fat is injected, unsightly nodules may occur. Asymmetry and loss of penile rigidity due to excess fat are other complications.

Alternatively, skin grafts can be used to increase girth by up to 4 centimeters (1.5 inches). The grafts are secured around the circumference of the penis with sutures. Severe complications (scar formation, penile shortening, penile curvature) may result if the grafts do not survive completely.

Some practitioners inject synthetic materials, such as liquid silicone or hyaluronic acid, to enhance girth. Injections may provide a good short-term appearance, but long-term results are unlikely.^[8]

2 Testicular Implants

There are many medical conditions that can contribute to the size and symmetry of testicles: infections, tumors, medication, or genetics. Some men are simply born with one testicle, uneven testicles, or testicles that fail to descend. And some men are sensitive about these “abnormalities.”

A testicular prosthesis is an artificial testicle implanted in the scrotum to provide the appearance of the real thing. Like saline-filled breast implants, testicular implants can be made to the size and consistency desired by the patient.

This minor outpatient surgery can be completed in about 30 minutes. Pain meds and antibiotics are typically prescribed, and the surgical stitches eventually dissolve on their own. Gentle manipulation of the area will help the implant settle in a natural position. Regular exercise and activity can resume around two weeks after the procedure.^[9]

1 Scrotoplasty

A man’s scrotum can become stretched and loose due to genetics, aging, trauma, or injury. Many men, both young and old, struggle with scrotums that are sagging, large, or low-hanging. In extreme cases, a stretched scrotum can cause painful chafing, interfere with sexual intercourse, or even reach the water when the toilet is being used. Men with stretched scrotums complain of discomfort, hygiene concerns, sexual problems, and overall embarrassment and low self-esteem. Nonsurgical treatment involves wearing supportive underwear or a jockstrap, which may slow but not stop the sagging.
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Scrotoplasty (aka scrotum reduction, scrotal lift) removes excess skin from the scrotum to improve appearance and comfort. The result is a tighter, smaller, rejuvenated scrotum. It’s a fairly simple procedure that can boost a man’s self-confidence and pleasure during sex.

The outpatient surgery does not interfere with the testicles or fertility. The majority of men undergoing this procedure are over age 40. Consider rest, scrotal elevation, and ice compresses for several days after the operation to help with healing. Avoiding constipation, straining, and heavy lifting are encouraged. Most patients return to regular activities and sexual intercourse within three weeks.^[10]