Plastic surgery can be defined as a medical specialty that deals primarily with the restoration of the human body, by either surgical or non-surgical methods. It includes the treatment that intends to enhance the visual appearance and operational styles of some body parts through surgical or non-surgical techniques. Being a plastic surgeon, over and over I have been asked how is plastic surgery different from any other and in what way can such a procedure be useful for an individual. Allow me to outline the scope of this intriguing field and why it matters.
Understanding Plastic Surgery
However, more often or not, plastic surgery is viewed through the lens of cosmetic surgery. The key term “plastic” is inherently linked with aesthetic improvement which is a critical all the same. This term explains in details why there is a wider understanding of plastic surgery in that it is not only restricted to enhancement procedures but also covers reconstructive surgeries aimed at restoration of physique after accidents, diseases, or birth defects.
Types of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery can broadly be divided into two
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery: Enhancing Aesthetic Appearance
In this type of surgery, the only goal is to maintain the structure and oppressive constitutional features of the torso, neck and face. Generally, these procedures are considered voluntary, as patients undertake them towards enhancing self-esteem, physical appearance or ideal body shape.
Common Cosmetic Procedures
- Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty): One of the common surgical procedures either for the cosmetic purpose or to alleviate certain breathing problems.
- Breast Enhancement: Utilizes implants or fat transfer inorder to augment the size and shape of the breast.
- Liposuction: Procedure to remove fat in specific places e.g the abdomen, hips and thighs
- Face Lift: Surgical procedure that seeks to enhance a person’s appearance by eliminating factors related to old age such as loose skin and wrinkles.
- Abdominoplasty: This procedure lifts the muscles in the abdomen and eliminates the excess skin so as to leave one with flat tummy.
Reconstructive Surgery: The Restoration of Functions and Form
The focus of reconstructive surgery is to correct defects that arise from congenital abnormalities, trauma, or diseases like cancer. These surgical treatments are frequently clinically required and center on both the restoration of form and function.
Common Reconstructive Procedures
- Breast Reconstruction: Usually done after mastectomy, it involves surgical procedure to restore the form and shape of the breast after cancer removal surgery.
- Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: This condition is present from birth, wherein there is a split in the upper lip and the roof of the mouth, affecting feeding, articulation and facial shape.
- Surgery for Burns: It is focused on the functioning aesthetic of burnt individuals and includes addressing the issues of scarring and tissue loss.
- Hand Surgery: It helps in correcting any physical deformities or damage to the hand in order to enhance its’ handle and functionality.
- Scar Revision: It facilitates the lowering of the fullness of a scar caused by trauma, surgery or injury.
Importance of other Procedures that Do Not Involve Surgery
Even though surgery is the main procedure in plastic surgery, many of the most popular procedures that don’t involve anything invasive have taken off due to the beauty enhancements that come with minimal time to recuperate. Such procedures are cost-efficient and take minimal time because they are scheduled to be carried out in the doctor’s chambers. They also bring about appreciable changes without the need for surgery.
Popular Non-Surgical Procedures
- Botox Injections: a type of treatment for eliminating fine lines and wrinkles through injection because they temporarily paralyze the muscles of the face.
- Dermal Fillers: These are procedures performed on the declining lid volume regions such as the cheeks and the lips.
- Laser Resurfacing: Helps in the removal of skin wrinkles and imperfections caused by sun damage, and any spots that have aged.
- Chemical peels: Apply chemical elements on the outer layers of skin in order to treat skin problems by getting rid of the damaged top layers of skin and exposing the healthier skin underneath.
Finding the Right Surgeon: The Importance of Professional Qualities
Plastic surgery is a narrow field where expertise, training, and experience are highly required. It is imperative to select the right plastic surgeon in order to avoid complications and critically guarantee the self-satisfaction of the results attained. It really doesn’t matter what procedure you wish your plastic surgeon to perform, always be certain that he or she is trained and qualified for this. A proper doctor-patient relationship ensures that the desired goals are met because there is an evaluation of the patient by the surgeon.
Understanding the Role of Patient Safety and Ethics in their Practice
The safety of patients and the absence of unnecessary harm to them is the number one concern in the field of plastic surgery. From the first interaction to the last, ethical standards are upheld and maintained in every aspect of patient care management. Being a surgeon, I believe in open communication, comprehensive assessments, and their corresponding surgical plans that are tailored to meet the patient’s objectives.2729191222A888NQ843ESBTT
Reasons as to Why Individuals are Begging to Undergo Plastic Surgery
There are many reasons as to why individuals seek out plastic surgery. Maybe in some situations, it is to correct the malfunction of people’s physical appearance, or after an accident. In some, it can be improving the courage and self connotation positively through aesthetic changes. Surgery, in such situations, dramatically improves the life of the person not only by enhancing the outer shape of the body but also more internal than external, restoring emotional health.
Conclusion
Plastic surgery has more to it than just altering the appearance of different body parts; it has a greater purpose of improving the quality of life. Plastic surgery procedures, mainly reconstructive that offer restoration or purely cosmetic procedures that elevate self-esteem, can be very useful in enhancing the quality of life in an individual. For those who are thinking about undergoing plastic surgery, I would recommend you book an appointment with a board-certified surgeon to know the options available and what would be right for you.
In case you have other questions or would want to address particular procedures, please do not hesitate to make an appointment at my office. Let us address your cosmetic and reconstructive aspirations in the most effective way.
Dr. Ahmet Kaplan
Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon
