Plastic surgery is the surgery performed to correct or restore of a physical form or feature. While aesthetic or cosmetic surgery is the most widespread and well known form of plastic surgery, it is not the only one. There are many other different types of plastic surgeries. Plastic surgery can be broadly classified into 6 categories of surgeries:
1. Aesthetic surgery: The most commonly known form, this includes surgeries done to improve the aesthetics of the facial or body features. This category includes surgeries like Breast Augmentations, Lip Enhancement, Rhytidectomy or face lifts, Rhinoplasty or nose jobs, Cheek Augmentation, Liposuction, Brachioplasty and many more.
2. Burn surgery: As the name suggests, this type of plastic surgery is mainly used for burn victims. All burn surgeries happen in 2 stages. The first surgery is done immediately after the burn. The second surgery is done once the burn wounds have healed.
3. Craniofacial surgeries: This category is further divided into two. Adult craniofacial surgery and Pediatric craniofacial surgery. Pediatric surgeries include the correction of congenital abnormalities including cleft lip, pediatric fractures and craniosynostosis. Adult craniofacial surgery handles fractures mostly, and secondary surgeries including orbital reconstruction. Craniofacial surgery is a major part of plastic surgery and requires further sub-specialization.
4. Hand surgery: As the name suggests, this form of plastic surgery is used to correct congenital abnormalities, injuries and chronic diseases in the hands and the wrists, upper extremities, and peripheral nerve problems, including Carpal tunnel syndrome and Brachial Plexus injuries. This type of plastic surgery is also performed by Orthopedics and general surgeons.
5. Microsurgery surgery: This includes the replacement of a missing tissue by transferring pieces of tissues from other parts and reconstructing and reconnecting the blood vessels. Most popular in this line are head-neck reconstruction, breast reconstruction, brachial plexus surgery and hand surgery.
6. Pediatric plastic surgery: This includes correcting birth abnormalities including cleft lip, cleft palate, congenital hand anomalies, and craniofacial deformities.
Why Plastic Surgery?
Here are a few things one must do before deciding to have a plastic surgery done:
1. Weigh the pros and cons. Measure the positive outcome results and the possibilities of having a surgery going wrong, and the complications (if any).
2. Consider alternate approaches, including behavioral exercises etc. While plastic surgery seems like an easy option, there could be major side effects. Also, there are always alternate approaches to attain that what is desired.
3. Evaluate if this is a method to increasing self esteem. Most women undergo the pain of going through with breast augmentation to feel sensual and *** about themselves, to increase their self esteem. While each person differs, plastic surgery should not be a means to increasing self esteem. It is also important to make sure if it absolutely necessary or if it is an act of vanity.
4. List your expectations and evaluate for their realistic factor. Listing down your expectation from the surgery will help in clarifying any doubts and will also help in revaluating life decisions. Consider if changing your nose will help you feel more beautiful or even something as simple as how long will convalescence take.
Honolulu residents may find helpful resources on this website – Plastic Surgeons Honolulu.