Because plastic surgery has the word ‘plastic’ in it, many have historically assumed that much of this surgical endeavor involves putting in plastic materials to achieve its effects. Besides the material, many overdone cosmetic procedures such as very tight-looking facelifts or having abnormally enlarged breasts have become associated with looking ‘plastic’. Thus the name Plastic Surgery connotes to some both a material use and a potential effect of its efforts.
To a small degree, both perceptions have some truth in them. Many procedures in plastic surgery do involve the placement of synthetic materials to create various cosmetic facial and body contouring effects. Technically most of these face and body implants are not really plastic by material composition but differing polymeric materials that are nonetheless synthetic. Augmented body parts that are in disproportion to the rest of the body does often make for tighter skin which can look a little unnaturally smooth and ‘plastic’ in appearance.
But the reality is that the name Plastic Surgery has a much more nobler heritage. The name is actually derived from the Greek word Plastikos , meaning to mold, shape or form. For from a broader perspective that is what all plastic surgery procedures ultimately achieve whether it is for reconstructive or aesthetic purposes. And this field of medicine has been around long before plastic materials were ever invented or overdone cosmetic changes were even possible or envisioned.
Dr. Barry Eppley