Posted by WHAT IS PLASTIC SURGERY?
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that involves the reconstruction, restoration or the alteration of a person’s physical appearance through surgical procedures. The term “plastic” in plastic surgery is derived from the Greek word “plastikos” that refers “to mould” or “to shape”.
THE TYPES OF PLASTIC SURGERY
1. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
This type of surgery focuses on repairing and reconstructing physical defects or any abnormalities from birth defects, trauma, accidents, infections, tumours or diseases. It aims to restore the functions and appearance of the affected body part. Common reconstructive procedures such as cleft lip and palate repair, breast reconstruction after mastectomy, skin grafts and tissue flaps.
2. Cosmetic or Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is performed usually to enhance or improve a person’s physical features. It is purely your decision and not medically necessary. These cosmetic procedures are aimed to achieve specific aesthetic goals such as altering facial features, enhancing body contours or reduce signs of ageing. Cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty and abdominoplasty are very commonly done on patients.
Related link: 4 Dangers of Unlicensed Cosmetic Surgery
REASONS WHY PEOPLE OPT FOR PLASTIC SURGERY
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Cosmetic Enhancement
Many individuals seek plastic surgery to enhance specific features of their face or body to achieve their desired aesthetic goals. Procedures such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and facelifts are common and popular choices for cosmetic enhancement.
2. Improving Self-Confidence
Some people undergo cosmetic surgery to address physical features that impact their self-esteem and confidence. Enhancing these features through surgery can boost their self-confidence and overall well-being.
3. Reversing Signs of Ageing
Ageing can leave very visible changes in the skin’s textures such as sagging, wrinkles and loss of volume. Plastic surgery procedures such as facelifts, eyelid surgery and dermal fillers are usually chosen by individuals who wish to maintain a more youthful appearance.
4. Correcting Birth Defects & Disfigurements
Plastic surgery can help repair and correct congenital conditions. Procedures such as cleft lip and palate repair, scar revision and tissue reconstruction are a few examples of surgeries used to repair congenital birth defects.
5. Addressing Body Changes after Weight Loss
Significant weight loss, either through natural means or bariatric surgery, both can leave excess skin and tissue. Body contouring surgeries like tummy tucks and arm lifts can help improve the body’s shape by removing and tightening excess skin.
6. Medical Reasons
A few plastic procedures are performed for medical reasons rather than purely cosmetic purposes. For instance, breast reduction surgery can reduce back and neck pain caused by excessively large breasts whereas rhinoplasty can improve your breathing difficulties due to a deviated septum.
7. Reconstruction after Trauma or Surgery
Plastic surgery can be used to reconstruct body parts that were damaged due to accidents, trauma or cancer surgeries. It helps restore functionality and appearance while allowing the patients to lead a more normal life.
8. Gender Confirmation
Gender-affirming surgeries are also known as sex reassignment surgery, and are usually performed to align a person’s appearance with their gender identity.