What Is Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that deals with the use of surgical techniques to improve or change the appearance of a person's body. Deformities caused by accidents, hereditary abnormalities, birth defects, and diseases are the main reasons people turn to plastic surgery. In other words, plastic surgery is more than just nips and tucks!

There are two focuses of the specialty: cosmetic and reconstructive. Reconstructive surgery refers to correcting a problem due to an accident or deformity, for example a cleft palate. Cosmetic surgeries are those that are performed on a healthy patient who wants an aesthetic alteration of their body for beauty and improvement.

Plastic surgery's goals include correction of a disfigured body or face, restoration of a damaged body function, and improvement of the physical appearance. Generally "plastic" from the Greek word "plastikos" means to mold or shape. Plastic surgery molds and shapes bones, fat, cartilage, skin and muscle. Tissues may be altered and removed in order to fill a depression or swathe an injury caused by an accident to improve the patient's appearance. In some cases, tissues are removed to modify the contour of the body. The field works to improve both form and function during its procedures.

Benefits

Plastic surgery has helped many people improve their appearance and self esteem. Here are some examples of how this is the case.

Deformities caused by heredity, or which are congenital in nature, often can be corrected by plastic surgery. Some examples of these deformities include cleft palate, cleft lip, or a deformed hand. In some cases the surgeries can be performed shortly after birth, while in other situations the procedures are done as the child grow older.

People often want to change a physical issue that causes them concern, because these "imperfections" may be the source of embarrassment. Correcting this deficiency can improve self confidence. Examples include removing a bump on the nose, or correcting breast asymmetry. A Los Angeles tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the midsection, and is often performed on women following pregnancy.

With the aid of modern technology, surgeons have now developed microsurgery. This technique allows for complex reconstructions by moving tissues from one part of the body to a distant part. This is a method of transferring tissues, tissue flaps, muscle, fat or bone. Veins and arteries and nerves can be reconnected even if they are as small as 1 to 2 mm in diameter by the use of suture. Microsurgery is often used to treat traumatic injuries. It is also commonly a part of cancer reconstruction, in places such as the face and breast.

Another common procedure is skin grafting, which is a common plastic surgery procedure. This is a method of transplanting skin or tissues into other affected parts of the body. It is often performed to help burn victims who have lost some of their skin as the result of their injuries. Other tissues can also be used as grafts, such as bone and cartilage and even nerve.

Beverly Hills plastic surgery is also concerned with wound healing. This includes treatments to help chronic wounds, and using advanced techniques when doing such cosmetic procedures as breast augmentation. There are many new biotechnology products which aid plastic surgeons as they work to achieve optimal wound healing.

Hand surgery is often also performed by plastic surgeons. This can include repair of injuries, such as broken bones or cut tendons. It can also relieve pain from such causes as carpal tunnel syndrome. Hand surgeons also reconstruct hands in children born with deformities.

Plastic surgery is a broad field, and is now often divided into subspecialties. For example, not all doctors offer rhinoplasty. Some examples include hand surgery, microvascular surgery, craniofacial surgery, burn surgery, maxillofacial surgery, and cosmetic surgery. But whatever part of the discipline, the unifying principles continue to be applied. Specifically, plastic surgeons aim to improve or restore form and function.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon is pleased to answer questions by email.