What is Plastic Surgery?
"Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involved with the improvement in a person's appearance and reconstruction of facial and body tissue defects ." - HopkinsMedicne
Plastic Surgery is broad surgical subspecialty that, unlike other surgical specialties, isn’t confined to a single organ system. As a result, it is a technically demanding and naturally creative field that is constantly changing and re-inventing itself. Plastic surgeons treat pathologies that range from congenital anomalies to cancer, trauma and degenerative or autoimmune conditions. Additionally, plastic surgeons are inherent team players since they must constantly work alongside other specialties like general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, orthopedic surgery otolaryngology and urology to reconstruct any anomalies or defects in the body.
Types of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery
Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Surgery
As defined by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1989, “Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem.” Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery includes various rejuvenating procedures to treat structures of the face (e.g., facelift for age-related changes, rhinoplasty for a large nose, blepharoplasty for excess eyelid skin), as well as other parts of the body including but not limited to the breast (e.g., breast augmentation) and abdomen (e.g., abdominoplasty following pregnancy). The field also includes the use of various injectables, such as fillers and neurotoxins, to address asymmetries and age-related changes. Trainees are able to pursue further fellowship training in the field if they so desire. – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Hair Transplant
Hair transplantation is a surgical technique employed by plastic surgeons to transfer hair follicles from one part of the body, the donor site, to a deficient recipient site. This minimally invasive procedure may be used in areas of balding, or to restore eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic or chest hair. It can also be used to fill areas of scarring from prior injuries or surgeries. Trainees may have the opportunity to pursue this as an interest in various cosmetic centers across the country. – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Gender-Affirming Surgery
Gender-affirming surgery is a surgical procedure by which a transgender person’s physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are altered to resemble those socially associated with their identified gender. This includes facial feminization or masculinization, breast augmentation or mastectomy, vaginoplasties and phalloplasties. – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Reconstructive Surgery
Breast Reconstruction
Plastic surgeons may a critical role in the multidisciplinary care of patients with breast cancer. Reconstructive options after breast cancer surgery include oncoplastic surgery following lumpectomy or implant-based or autologous reconstruction after mastectomy. – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Images: Implant Insertion. In: Cohen M, Thaller S, ed. The Unfavorable Result in Plastic Surgery: Avoidance and Treatment. 4th Edition. Thieme; 2018. doi:10.1055/b-005-143642
Plastic Surgery Vs Cosmetic Surgery
Credits. ASP. Plastic Surgery
Is your Plastic Surgeon Board Certified?
That's the first of many questions to ask
If you notice, this question is typically recommended for patients seeking out doctors for cosmetic services. Is it not important to determine if your heart doctor or kidney doctor have appropriate board certification?