WHAT IS PLASTIC SURGERY?

Plastic surgery is a form of medicine that has enabled people of all walks of life who have or are suffering from abnormalities, injury, defects, and self image to reshape their physical appearance. It is the blending of science and art through creative techniques performed by dedicated, highly trained physicians who seek to help people realize their full potential through surgery. Albert Einstein said “The great scientists are always artists as well.”

Plastic surgery can be categorized into two major areas: reconstructive and cosmetic. Reconstructive plastic surgery has given people who have had the unfortunate circumstance of either being born into this world with congenital birth defects become normal or who have suffered greatly from trauma through injury because of heat, radiation, cancer, automobile or other types of accidents, and animal attacks.

Cosmetic plastic surgery is a form of medicine that allows individuals to take control over their physical appearance. People who have chosen to have cosmetic surgery for themselves look, feel, and act younger and more attractive, but they also gain a sense of pride from within because they enjoy looking at the person staring back in the mirror. In this respect, cosmetic surgery gives patients a sense of pride and well being that is unparalleled by anything they might have achieved without the dedicated guidance of a caring physician. Plastic surgery, whether reconstructive or cosmetic, empowers people by giving them a fresh start so they can return to a more positive way of life.

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE?

A board certified plastic surgeon is the safest and most qualified physician to perform plastic surgery. When considering to entrust the one and only body a patient has, several considerations need to be made and it is important for the patient to educate themselves as to the qualifications of their physician. Many people do not realize that ANY doctor can perform cosmetic procedures with very little training. Membership in The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certifies physicians to perform plastic surgery of the face and all other areas of the body. Patients need to be informed and aware that there are distinct differences between the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, first and foremost that the latter of the two simply does not exist. ABPS ensures that a physician adheres to strict regulations, including at least five years of general and plastic surgery training, has graduated from a reputable medical school, and has successfully performed on comprehensive written and oral exams. There is no known board certification for Cosmetic Surgery, and in fact any physician can perform cosmetic surgery with very little specialized training.

In addition, patients may inquire if the physician they are considering also is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). These physicians are certified not only by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, but additionally they have had at last six years of training, with three of those specifically in plastic surgery, operates in accredited medical facilities, adheres to a strict code of ethics, and fulfills the requirements for continuing education in plastic surgery with special regards to patient safety.

AVAILABLE TREATMENTS

- Reconstructive Plastic Surgery typically refers to a procedure that is performed to correct or improve functional impairments. Reconstructive plastic surgeons will transfer tissue, muscle, bone, and fat or a combination thereof from on area of the body to an area where there is a defect that needs to be covered. Some of the most common procedures for reconstructive plastic surgery include breast reconstruction, breast reduction, cleft lip and palate, hand surgery, scar revision (typically for burn victims), skin cancer grafts, and tissue expansion.

- Cosmetic Plastic Surgery refers to any procedure that enhances a patient’s appearance using surgical and medical procedures to produce an outcome that satisfies an aesthetic ideal. This type of surgery is not meant to dramatically alter one’s appearance, rather maintain that appearance through restoration and rejuvenation techniques. The most common cosmetic procedures are facelift, eyelid surgery, facial implants, nose surgery (rhinoplasty), tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), skin resurfacing, breast augmentation, brow lift, gynecomastia, body contouring after massive weight loss, permanent makeup, injectable fillers, liposuction, and removal of spider veins.

SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects of plastic surgery are nausea and vomiting, blood clots, suture complications, infection, and allergic reactions to anesthesia. These side effects are alleviated by following the physician’s strict guidelines for home recovery and more importantly maintaining proper help once the patient returns home.

One of the psychological side effects that many patients have reported is dealing with temporary depression after surgery. This stems from building up large amounts of anxiety prior to the procedure, dealing with the reactions of loved ones, as well as immediate trauma over swelling and bruising issues. A very small amount of patients suffer from feelings of guilt over having plastic surgery. Patients should keep in mind that these types of side effects are temporary, and that what lies ahead is better than what was left behind.

CONCLUSION

Plastic surgery is the cutting edge of modern medicine. Plastic surgeons have helped millions of people recover from serious injuries and birth defects and reconstruct their lives. Most people know someone, either a loved one or an acquaintance, whose lives have been forever changed by the power of plastic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery has enabled these people to live in the mainstream with hope, with dignity, and the promise of a bright future just the same as anyone else. We no longer live in a society where individuals who have suffered traumatic injuries and malformities are outcasts.

Because the standards are high and there are real solutions to ascertain a physician’s credibility through board certification, cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are safer than ever. More and more, real, everyday people are changing the shape of their bodies because they can and because they want dramatic results. With so many options producing satisfied patients, plastic surgery is the choice of millions. Patients can now begin the journey to a place called better.