Cosmetic surgery, a branch of plastic surgery, has made its way into the collective consciousness of general society due to celebrities and the many TV shows that focus on celebrity plastic surgeons. Due to such exposure, more people than ever before are considering plastic surgery to improve their lives in some way. However, the decision to get plastic surgery is not an easy one to make. A person should think long and hard before getting any work done and weigh the benefits and drawbacks of plastic surgery. A little information can help potential patients make an informed decision that should lead to a good long-term outcome.
This field of medicine restores both the appearance and function of a damaged area of a patient’s body. Reconstructive surgery can reverse the effects of injuries such as trauma, cuts, bone fractures, bone breaks, and burns. It can also mitigate malformations caused by illness or chronic medical conditions. Additionally, plastic surgery can correct congenital deformities like cleft lip and palate or webbed fingers.
Cosmetic surgery can improve the appearance of a specific area of the body. However, this type of surgery is rarely geared toward improving the function of said body part. This means cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure. Understanding the nature of both reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery can allow a person to evaluate the potential benefits and downsides of plastic surgery as a whole.
There are many reasons that a person may consider plastic surgery. One common factor is improved quality of life.
A person who has severely webbed fingers may be unable to flex and splay their fingers, which limits the range of motion of the hands. Plastic surgery can remove the connecting tissue, freeing the fingers and increasing their range of motion.
In the case of a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate, plastic surgery can give the child the ability to speak and eat with less difficulty. It can also mitigate any teasing that they may have endured. As a result, the child may experience more pride in their appearance and potentially find a new sense of self-worth or self-esteem.
Congenital malformations like a deviated septum or an imperforate anus can affect the function of a body part and cause pain. The same goes for deformities caused by medical conditions such as severe osteoarthritis. Plastic surgery can correct these deformities, help the affected body part to function normally, and minimize or eliminate pain.
Like any other type of surgery, plastic surgery has its drawbacks.
Many patients have questions about cosmetic surgery. Here are the answers to common about this type of surgery.
The ideal candidate for plastic surgery is a non-smoker who has good general health and maintains a healthy body weight. People with chronic health issues like bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, or diabetes might not be eligible for cosmetic surgery. Patients are evaluated individually to determine if they are healthy enough to recover from surgical procedures.
The ideal plastic surgery patient should also have realistic goals that they aim to achieve with plastic surgery. They should be honest about their concerns and medical history so the doctor can factor any potential issues into their treatment plans.
There is no ideal age for cosmetic surgery; it is only a matter of if the patient is healthy enough to proceed with the treatment. Younger patients tend to desire treatments like liposuction, dermabrasion, nose jobs, and breast augmentation. In comparison, older patients are more likely to seek treatments that help preserve or restore a youthful appearance, like neck lifts, facelifts, brow lifts, or eyelid lifts.
Each patient goes through a consultation stage that involves going over the patient’s goals and unique factors like age, size, bone structure, and overall health. The consultation enables the surgeon to create the most effective treatment plan.
There are plastic surgeons with different specialties for a variety of conditions. If there is a part of your body that you would like to change or restore, be sure to discuss your options with a doctor.
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