Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. The art and science of plastic surgery is also involved with the enhancement of the appearance of a person through such operations as facelift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and liposuction.
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.
What is the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective.
Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.
There are a number of “gray areas” in coverage for plastic surgery that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. These areas usually involve surgical operations which may be reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on each patient's situation. For example, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) - a procedure normally performed to achieve cosmetic improvement may be covered if the eyelids are drooping severely and obscuring a patient's vision.
What is the recovery from plastic surgery like?
Will I be able to tolerate the pain post-operatively?
Each patient will tolerate pain post-operatively in a different way, and we take this into consideration. While some patients may describe the pain as an ache, others experience greater discomfort. Appropriate pain medications are prescribed for post-operative patients to help minimize discomfort. Most facial cosmetic operations have minimal discomfort post-operatively. Liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable, and operations that require elevation or tightening of the muscles, such as an abdominoplasty (tummy tucks) or breast augmentation, have discomfort equal to that of a C-section.
How long is the recuperative period? When can I return to work?
The length of time it takes to recuperate after plastic surgery varies depending on the procedure performed and the person operated on. Most patients will require assistance for the first two days. Following these two days, most patients are able to care for themselves but may still need assistance if they have small children to care for. The specific lengths of disability are outlined below by procedure. These are approximations, and do not include return to exercise.
Eyelid Surgery - Most patients can get around independently by the second day. With the use of sunglasses, you may feel comfortable going to the store by days three and four, and with makeup could return to work in five to seven days.
Facelift Surgery - Most patients can get around independently by the second day. Usually you do not feel comfortable going out in public for five to seven days. Requires 10 to14 days before returning to work if in the public eye.
Breast Surgery - Most patients can get around independently by the second day. You can return to work at five to seven days if not required to lift more than 15 pounds.
Liposuction - Most patients can get around independently by the second day, earlier if smaller numbers of areas were treated. One can return to work and normal activities in five to seven days.
Abdominoplasty - Patients may take between three to four days before getting around independently. The recovery is almost identical to a C-section. One can return to a desk job at five to seven days, other jobs 10-14 days.
When can I resume regular exercise?
The time a patient resumes regular exercises varies based on the operation performed. All patients are encouraged to start a slow, walking routine on the second post-operative day. Regular aerobic and more vigorous activities are not allowed during the first 2 weeks in order to decrease the risks of bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports are allowed after one month in most cases.
What are common nonsurgical cosmetic procedures?
The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2005 were:
1. BOTOX® injections at 3,294,782 up 16 percent from 2004
2. Laser hair removal at 1,566,909 up 11 percent from 2004
3. Hyaluronic acids (Hylaform®, Restylane®) at 1,194,222 up 35 percent from 2004
4. Microdermabrasion is the fourth most popular procedure with 1,023,931 performed in 2005, a decrease of 7 percent over last year
5. Chemical peels accounted for 556,172 procedures in 2005, down 50 percent from 2004
What are the most common cosmetic surgery procedures?
*data from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2002 Statistics on Cosmetic Surgery
The most common cosmetic surgery procedure overall is tumor removal (for skin lesions such as skin cancers). The most common cosmetic surgery procedure is liposuction.
Which procedures do men have performed most often?
Men most often have liposuction, followed by nose reshaping and eyelid surgery.
How much cosmetic surgery is performed on teenagers?
About 3% of all cosmetic surgery is performed on people 18 years old or younger. The most frequent surgical procedures are otoplasty (ear reshaping) and rhinoplasty (nose reshaping).
How old are most people when they choose to have cosmetic surgery?
35-50 years of age is the primary category for cosmetic surgery. In 2005, this group accounted for approximately 42.5% of all cosmetic surgery.