Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is the correction of defects in the
function and form of parts of the anatomy. The most common
form of plastic surgery is aesthetic plastic surgery also
known as cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgery encompasses a
variety of fields including : craniofacial surgery, hand
surgery, burn surgery, microsurgery and paediatric surgery.
The word plastic in the term plastic surgery comes from the
Greek word plastikos, which means to mould or to shape.
The earliest record of plastic surgery dates back to 700 BC,
when ancient physicians were making use of skin grafts for
reconstructive work. In exists records from ancient India
describing rhinoplasty, nose reshaping surgery and otoplasty,
ear reshaping.
The first American plastic surgeon was Dr. John Peter
Mettaue, he performed the first cleft palate surgery in
1827. It was not until World War I, that plastic surgery
started to develop rapidly, as plastic surgery was needed to
treat the many soldiers and people who suffered from burns
and facial injuries. It was during this time in the 20
century that plastic surgeons pioneered reconstructive
plastic surgery and maxillofacial surgery.
Reconstructive plastic surgery
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery is surgery to correct
functional impairments caused by burns, injuries, birth
defects such as cleft palate, lip, diseases and the removal
of cancer tumours.
Reconstructive plastic surgery is primary concerned with
improving function but Reconstructive plastic surgery can be
used to create a more normal appearance.
Common reconstructive plastic surgery procedures include
breast reconstruction for women who had to have a breast
removed due to cancer and cleft lip and palate surgery.
Aesthetic Cosmetic surgery
Aesthetic Cosmetic Surgery is a speciality of plastic
surgery, but is focused more on the improvement of the
appearance for cosmetic reasons. Cosmetic surgery is today
common place and worldwide millions of people have cosmetic
surgery, it is particularly common in the US and the UK.
It is important to differentiate between plastic surgery
and cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgery is primary concerned
with repairing defects and functions but can be for cosmetic
reasons, but cosmetic surgery is for cosmetic reason, to
enhance the looks.
People travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery is very
popular today, were people travel to other counties to have
a cosmetic surgery procedure with plastic surgeons who
charge lower fees. Popular destinations for low cost
cosmetic surgery include Poland, India, and Thailand.
Plastic surgery sub-specialities
Plastic surgery is a broad field, and may be subdivided
further. Plastic surgery training and approval by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery includes mastery of the
following as well:
• Craniofacial surgery, Hand surgery, microsurgery, Burn
surgery
• Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery is concerned with the
correction of form and aging. Plastic surgeons usually excel
in this field because of their thorough knowledge of anatomy
and extensive experience with reconstruction and congenital
anomalies correction. Popular operations include amongst
other breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, face lift,
liposuction and mastopexy.
• Pediatric plastic surgery. Children often face medical
issues unique from the experiences of an adult patient. Many
birth defects or syndromes present at birth are best treated
in childhood, and pediatric plastic surgeons specialize in
treating these conditions in children. Conditions commonly
treated by pediatric plastic surgeons include craniofacial
anomalies, cleft lip and palate and congenital hand
deformities.
• Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is concerned
with comprehensive care of aesthetic and reconstructive
problems in the head and neck region. Surgeons have
extensive experience in the head and neck surgery after
completing a five year otolaryngology residency, and
subsequently one-year facial plastic and reconstructive
surgery fellowship. Most surgerons are double boarded to
include American Board of Otolaryngology and American Board
of Facial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery. Most commonly
performed procedures include rhytidectomy, rhinoplasty,
blepharoplasty, brow lifting, skin cancer reconstruction, as
well as microsurgery.
Breast Enlargement :
Breast Reduction :
Breast Uplift : Brow Lift :
Chin Implant :
Ear Surgery :
Eyelid
Surgery : Face
Lift :
Liposuction :
Male Breast Reduction :
Rhinoplasty :
Tummy Tuck
