Common Things People Want To Know About Plastic Surgery
The tremendous popularity of plastic surgery has made it one of the most visible areas of medicine. Because of the diversity of the subspecialty of Plastic Surgery, there are many questions that patients have as well as numerous misconceptions about what plastic surgery is and the procedures that are available. Based on my Indianapolis plastic surgery experience, here are some of the most commonly asked patient questions.
Why is it called “plastic” surgery?
The word “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos” meaning to mold or to shape. That is also the origin for the name of the manmade material that is found almost everywhere today –plastic. Whether it is a toy or computer monitor, plastic is the material of choice as it7 can be molded or shaped into any desired form.
The term “plastic surgery” then refers to surgery that molds or shapes the human body. Unfortunately, despite the latest advances in plastic surgery, we still cannot mold the human body into any desired form. We can, however, make a big difference in either sculpting one’s face or body for cosmetic purposes or reconstructing a missing or lost body part by using today’s state-of-the-art surgical techniques.
What is the difference between plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, aesthetic surgery, and reconstructive surgery?
Cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery, and aesthetic surgery all refer to the same thing; surgery done to improve one’s appearance or reshape normal body parts to improve appearance. This is why cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance.
Reconstructive surgery is performed to reshape abnormal structures of the body, from either accidents, injuries, infections, cancers, or other diseases, as well as congenital deformities. These types of problems are usually covered by your medical insurance.
What are the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures?
In 2005, 10.2 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S of which 1.8 million were actual intraoperative surgeries. Total U.S. spending on these procedures was 9.4 billion dollars.. The five most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States are nose reshaping, liposuction, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, and facelift. With the latest innovations in cosmetic plastic surgery, patients may now benefit from more natural results, faster recovery, and safer procedures. Consequently, more and more people have decided to take advantage of these advanced procedures to help them their appearance or restore a more youthful look. In fact, the number of people choosing cosmetic plastic surgery has tripled in the last decade!
The most popular plastic surgery procedures for women include nose reshaping, liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, facelift, brow lift, tummy tuck, and breast lift. Men also have nose reshaping, liposuction, eyelid surgery, facelift, as well as surgery to treat gynecomastia, or male breast reduction.
Why is plastic surgery of the nose so popular?
The first plastic surgery performed, thousands of years ago, was nasal surgery in India and Egypt. People have had concerns about their noses for a long time! The popularity of rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) is due to its effectiveness at changing the shape of the nose (as the whole appearance of the face) as well as improving breathing through the nose. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip or bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing and sinus problems.
What are the most common reconstructive plastic surgery procedures?
In 2005, 5.1 million reconstructive procedures were performed by plastic surgeons in the U.S. The top five procedures performed include skin cancer removal, laceration repair, scar revision, hand surgery, and breast reduction.
What is possible after a woman has had a breast removed due to cancer?
Reconstruction of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other disease is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures available today. New plastic surgical techniques and devices has made it possible to create a breast that can come close in size and appearance to that of a natural breast. Frequently, reconstruction is done at the same time as the breast removal (mastectomy), so the patient wakes up with a breast mound already in place, having been spared the experience of seeing herself with no breast at all.
Bear in mind, however, post-mastectomy breast reconstruction is not a simple procedure. There are many options to consider (tissue expansion, muscle and skin flaps, implants) and choosing the right one for the patient requires thorough consideration. At Clarian West, the Breast Cancer Center offers a comprehensive approach to the treatment of breast cancer, including reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy.
Why do people often need plastic surgery after gastric bypass surgery or significant weight loss?
The goal of bariatric surgery is to help morbidly obese patients lose the weight necessary to improve their overall health. By reducing the overall capacity of the stomach, the reduced food intake helps the patient lose weight. The success of bariatric surgery (over 80,000 procedures performed last year in the U.S.), with often up to 100 lbs of weight loss, results in a residual amount of loose skin throughout the body. Plastic surgery is often needed to address these unsightly skin pockets that remain. Commonly affected areas are the arms, breasts, abdomen, back, buttocks , and thighs, of which numerous plastic surgery procedures have been specifically developed just for these extreme problems.
How can I improve that tired look around my eyes?
While the eyes may be the window to the soul, they are also the first area on the face that begins to show aging. Wrinkles, excess skin, and bags are all features of the aging eye, even though we may feel quite well rested and refreshed. Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, as well as skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and bags on the lower lids – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However, it won’t remove crow’s feet, eliminate dark circles under the eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone or in conjunction with with other facial plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift.
Dr. Eppley believes there is no substitute for knowledge and experience. He is one of the few plastic surgeons in the United States who is both a physician and dentist and is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This rare dual certification reflects Dr. Eppley’s commitment to excellence.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana