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| Makeup & Nails | Skin & Body Care | Cosmetic Surgey |
Plastic Surgery FAQ'sWhat is Plastic Surgery?Plastic surgery is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with the healing and restoration of patients with injury, disfigurement or scarring resulting from trauma, disease or congenital defects. It includes aesthetic, or cosmetic surgery to correct or rejuvenate facial and bodily features not pleasing to the patient. Why the "plastic" in plastic surgery? The word "plastic" comes from the Greek word plastikos, meaning "to mold or shape." Many of the first plastic surgeries were developed to close a difficult wound or replace tissue lost due to injury or cancer. These procedures often involved the formation of a skin flap to reshape or mold the defect so as to approximate the original shape. Cosmetic surgery is elective surgery, it is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve one's appearance and self-esteem. Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congential defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to restore or give a more normal appearance. What procedures do plastic surgeons perform? Aesthetic (also called cosmetic) problems with the face, neck and trunk, including forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chin, neck, breasts, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, arms, and skin. Congenital deformities of the hands and face, including clefts of the lip and palate. Benign (non-cancer) and malignant (cancerous) tumors of the head and neck, skin and soft tissues. Traumatic injuries of the bony facial skeleton and hand as well as soft tissue injuries of any part of the body. Surgery of the hand. Surgery of the jaw and facial skeleton. Any type of skin cover and replacement problems. All types of reconstruction following removal of cancer resulting in disfigurement of any part of the body including the face, breasts, trunk. How does a physician become a plastic surgeon? To become board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery a physician must complete a specialized post-graduate training course of five to seven years. Background training usually includes training in general surgery, however, a background in ENT or orthopedics may be acceptable. The final two to three years of training must be in an approved plastic surgery training center. Prior to official certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery the physician must pass a rigorous set of both written and oral examinations. While numerous physicians use the term "plastic" surgeons only those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are true plastic surgeons. Does certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensure that a patient will get a perfect result from an operation? No. Healing of operated tissue is affected by several factors, and some of these are beyond the control of the surgeon. As in any other type of medicine, no guarantee of perfection or even a good result can be given. By making sure to do your homework before choosing a plastic surgeon, you can check out a surgeon's training, skill, and experience to better ensure your safety and desired results. Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery means that the surgeon has completed the rigorous requirements for full time practice as a specialist in plastic surgery. Is plastic surgery covered by insurance? When the plastic surgery procedure is being performed for cosmetic reasons, insurance will not be involved. When the surgery is necessary for reconstructive purposes, however, it may be partially or fully covered by insurance. How much pain is involved in plastic surgery? Each plastic surgery procedure carries a different level of discomfort, and requires different methods of anesthetizing. In most situations, the patient's preferences for safety and comfort, as well as personal pain threshold, can help determine what type of anesthesia will be used. Very minor, non-invasive surgeries might involve a topical anesthetic, while minor invasive surgeries may call for local anesthetic or local combined with sedation. In more involved surgery, general anesthesia is usually used. |
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