Plastic surgery alters certain areas of the body to treat medical problems or improve appearance. There are different types of plastic surgery, including reconstructive surgery, birth defect repair, cosmetic surgery, and more. These are complex procedures with risks of complications. Receiving the services of an experienced surgeon and following home care instructions can help you have a safe experience.
You'll also be more likely to achieve the results you're looking for. Mayo Clinic offers a wide variety of cosmetic surgery procedures, from facelifts and breast augmentation to abdominal reduction and liposuction. These services are provided by a team of board-certified surgeons who specialize in cosmetic procedures. In addition to plastic surgery, the team includes specialists from the otolaryngology and ophthalmology departments.
This surgical procedure is both reconstructive and cosmetic. Breast augmentation can be an elective procedure that the patient chooses when she wants to improve the size and shape of her breasts. It can also be a reconstructive procedure for patients with medical conditions, such as undeveloped breasts or breast cancer, that results in single or double mastectomies. A plastic surgeon can perform many cleft lip and palate repairs over the course of their career, given the surprisingly high prevalence of this deformity.
Ideally, this type of plastic surgery should be performed before 18 months of age, while the patient's ability to heal perfectly is maximum. Plastic surgery includes a group of procedures that minimize the appearance of scars. These procedures are common due to the high incidence of injuries caused by accidents, violence and all kinds of adverse situations. While surgical revision of scars reduces the prominence of a scar, treatment does not and cannot erase scars.
All potential benefits and complications should be discussed during consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common cosmetic procedures (invasive and minimally invasive) are listed here by their common or descriptive names. Plastic surgery can provide significant medical and psychological benefits, but it's important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon and to have realistic expectations. It's important to note that plastic surgery, while often associated with vanity, can have significant medical benefits.
The surgeon will discuss what type of surgery is best for meeting your goals and will offer you realistic expectations for the procedure and your recovery. The terms “reconstructive plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” may seem similar, but they represent different types of procedures. This type of surgery requires advanced training and specialized equipment, such as microscopes and tiny surgical devices. This means that plastic surgeons often have to perform certain types of procedures over and over again. You can have cosmetic surgery by a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat surgeon), or others.
Look for a surgeon who is board certified in plastic surgery and who has extensive experience performing the procedure that interests you. Before any cosmetic surgery procedure, you'll meet with a healthcare provider, such as a cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon, for a consultation. If you're thinking about having plastic surgery, it's important to do your research and choose an accredited surgeon.
