What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic Surgery: Meaning, Purpose, Procedure & Benefits

Plastic surgery alters a body part to treat medical conditions or enhance physical appearance. It is performed on different body parts, such as the face, neck, breasts, abdomen, arms, and legs. Reconstructive plastic surgery is generally performed to correct physical deformities or repair damage caused by injuries, with the primary goal of restoring normal appearance and function.

On the other hand, cosmetic surgery focuses on enhancing physical features for aesthetic purposes without a medical necessity. Keep reading to understand the purpose, benefits, and possible risks of plastic surgery.

What Do You Mean By Plastic Surgery?

Contrary to popular belief, the word plastic in plastic surgery does not mean synthetic. It comes from the Greek term plastikos, which means to shape or mold. Plastic surgery is a medical speciality focused on enhancing a person’s appearance and restoring function by repairing facial and bodily defects caused by trauma, disease, or congenital conditions.

This field of surgery plays a crucial role in both functional recovery and aesthetic refinement. Plastic surgeons operate on nearly every part of the body, except the central nervous system, and commonly treat:

• Skin issues, such as skin cancer, scars, burns, birthmarks
• Maxillofacial structures, which include the bones of the face and jaw
• Congenital deformities, such as cleft lips, cleft palates, and ear abnormalities

What Does Plastic Surgery Involve?

Plastic surgery covers 2 major areas: reconstructive procedures and cosmetic (aesthetic) enhancements, which are discussed below in-depth:

1. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

This type of plastic surgery deals with the repair of disordered body structures. Such disorders can be caused by:

• Trauma or injury
• Infection
• Disorders of development
• Congenital deformities (present at birth)
• Disease
• Tumors

Even though the primary purpose of reconstructive surgery is to restore function, it usually enhances appearance as well.

2. Cosmetic (Aesthetic) Plastic Surgery

Unlike reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery is usually performed on normally developed body parts. It is used to reshape or enhance specific areas to make them more appealing. Such operations are not necessary and are primarily driven by personal preference to improve self-esteem and confidence.

What are the Possible Risks of Plastic Surgery?

For reconstructive or cosmetic reasons, the surgery procedures can be intricate and may require working with sensitive tissue or on top of large organs. Cosmetic surgeries, in particular, alter parts of the body that are otherwise functioning normally.

Because of this, understanding the possible risks is essential before undergoing any procedure. Here are some other possible risks linked to plastic surgery:

• Type of procedure
• Your past medical history
• Lifestyle issues, such as habits like smoking
• Complications either occur intraoperatively or during the recovery phase.
• Irregular or noticeable scarring
• The formation of blood clots
• Inordinate bleeding
• Anesthesia problems, e.g., difficulty breathing during surgery
• Water retention or swelling, i.e., edema
• Infection of the surgical site
• Nerve damage, leading to tingling sensations (neuropathy)
• Limited movement due to stiff and tight scars
• Wounds or cuts resolve more slowly than under normal circumstances

What are the Benefits of Plastic Surgery?

For the majority of people, the advantages of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery far outweigh the risks. Plastic surgery can result in several favorable outcomes, including:

• Increase in self-confidence because of the enhanced physical appearance
• Improved function, such as enhanced vision after eyelid skin removal
• A more natural look, which results in increased social confidence
• Improved mobility following the realignment of physical defects limiting motion
• Restoration of body functions, i.e., the capability to eat solid foods following jaw surgery

Plastic surgery can mold aspects of the body to cure disease or improve appearance. There are various types of plastic surgery, including reconstructive surgery, repairing birth defects, cosmetic enhancements, and more.

These surgeries are complex and involve some risk, but with the proper surgeon and postoperative care, the risk can be minimized, and optimal results can be achieved.