|
How many plastic surgeons are required in the state? What specific skills and knowledge should be imparted to plastic surgeons? What specific cases do plastic surgeons treat? What are reconstructive plastic surgery procedures? What are cosmetic plastic surgery procedures? Should you ever give presentation of cleft lip and cleft palate together? No, you should not. Cleft lip and cleft palate are two entirely different diagnoses with separate treatments. How should plastic surgery research in the state go ahead? How many plastic surgery operations were done in the state over the past 10 years? What was the diagnosis and treatment? How many total cleft lip and cleft palate children have been born in the state over the past 10 years? At what were they operated on? What was the outcome of the operation? How is cleft palate surgery done? How is cleft lip surgery done? |
| Research |
|
Q) What is Plastic Surgery?
Q) How does a physician become a plastic surgeon? Q) What procedures do plastic surgeons perform? Q) What is aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery? Q) Is a plastic surgeon a skin specialist? Q) Will I have a scar after plastic surgery? Q) Does plastic surgery always involve skin grafting? Q) What is a pedicle graft or flap? Q) What is rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction? Q) Can I receive a second nose reshaping if the first surgery does not produce the desired result? Q) What aesthetic surgical procedures are performed to improve the aging face? Q) How is a face lift done? Q) Does a face lift leave scars? Q) How is excessive wrinkling and bagginess of the eyelids corrected? Q) What surgery can improve the appearance of breasts? Q) Am I a good candidate for liposuction? Q) Do the results of liposuction last? Q) What areas of the body can be treated with liposuction? Q) Does liposuction leave scars? Reconstructive Procedures Cosmetic Procedures Reconstructive Procedures What is the difference between Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery? Typically, the difference exists in the purpose of surgery . Cosmetic surgery performed with the primary goal of improving one's appearance. Reconstructive surgery is performed to improve personal health, body function or alleviate disease and is often considered medically necessary . What procedures are considered reconstructive surgery? The line between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery can sometimes be blurred. Generally, reconstructive surgery improves both appearance and health . Some examples of reconstructive surgery include: - Tumor Removal - Laceration Repair - Scar Revision - Hand Surgery - Breast Reduction - Breast Reconstruction (Following surgical breast cancer treatment) - Burn Care - Reconstructive Rhinoplasty (to improve nose air flow) - Eyelid Surgery (to improve field of vision) What benefits does Reconstructive surgery provide? Medically necessary reconstructive surgery provides obvious health benefits . But even reconstructive surgery considered optional can help patients rid themselves of physical abnormalities. Reconstructive surgery has also been known to provide patients with higher self-esteem and confidence. Who is a good candidate for Reconstructive surgery? Ideal patients for reconstructive surgery have realistic expectations and a good understanding of the procedure. Typically reconstructive surgery patients fall into one of two groups. The first group consists of those born with an undesired condition such as webbed or extra fingers, a cleft-lip or abnormally developing breasts. In the second group are those who developed abnormalities through an accident, disease or even age. Does Reconstructive surgery have possible risks and complications? All surgeries have risks. The specific risks will vary based on the particular reconstructive surgery performed. In general, reconstructive surgery poses a low risk of infection, problems related to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, bruising, slowed healing of the wound and additional surgical problems. Potential complications increase based on the patient's personal health history. How long does it take to recover from Reconstructive surgery? Most reconstructive surgery procedures require one to two weeks for healing . However, recovery time also depends on the patient and specific reconstructive surgery performed. Some patients are able to return to a normal routine immediately after a reconstructive surgery procedure, while others require several weeks to retain a normal level of functioning. In some cases, the final results are not clears for months. Does Reconstructive surgery leave any visible scarring? When reconstructive surgery requires incisions, scarring is an inevitable side effect of the procedure. However, reconstructive surgeons are specially trained to minimize scar size and place them in inconspicuous locations . Cleft lip Cleft palate repair Breast Reconstruction Hand Surgery Scar Revision Skin Cancer and Your Plastic Surgeon Cosmetic Procedures o Arm Lift o Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss for Women o Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss for Men o Body Lift o Botulinum Toxin o Breast Augmentation o Breast Lift o Breast Reduction for Men o Brow Lift o Chemical Peel o Chin Surgery o Dermabrasion o Ear Surgery o Eyelid Surgery for Women o Eyelid Surgery for Men o Facelift o Facial Implants o Hair Replacement o Injectable Fillers o Liposuction for Women o Liposuction for Men o Microdermabrasion o Nose Surgery for Women o Nose Surgery for Men o Permanent Makeup o Skin Rejuvenation and Resurfacing o Spider Veins o Thigh Lift o Tummy Tuck What is Plastic Surgery? Plastic surgery is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with the healing and restoration of patients with injury, disfigurement or scarring resulting from trauma, disease or congenital defects. It includes aesthetic (also called cosmetic) surgery to correct or rejuvenate facial and bodily features not pleasing to the patient. Derived from Greek, the word plastic means molding or giving form and does not refer to the use of plastic materials. What qualifies a physician to be a plastic surgeon? Training to become a plastic surgeon is one of the most rigorous pathways known to medicine. To become board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery a physician must complete a specialized post-graduate training course of five to seven years. Background training usually includes a thorough grounding in general surgery however, a background in ENT or orthopaedics may be acceptable; The final two to three years of training must be in an approved plastic surgery training center. Prior to official certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery the physician must pass a rigorous set of both written and oral examinations. Although numerous physicians use the term "plastic" surgeons only those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are true plastic surgeons. Does certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensure that a patient will get a perfect result from an operation? No. Healing of operated tissue is affected by several factors, and some of these are beyond the control of the surgeon. As in any other type of medicine, no guarantee of perfection or even a good result can be given. Nevertheless, the more thorough the surgeons training, skill and experience the greater likelihood for a desirable result. Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery means that the surgeon has completed the rigorous requirements for full time practice as a specialist in plastic surgery. What types of cases are treated by plastic surgeons? Aesthetic (also called cosmetic) problems with the face, neck and trunk, including forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chin, neck, breasts, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, arms, and skin. Congenital deformities of the hands and face, including clefts of the lip and palate. Benign (non-cancer) and malignant (cancerous) tumors of the head and neck, skin and soft tissues. Traumatic injuries of the bony facial skeleton and hand as well as soft tissue injuries of any part of the body. Surgery of the hand. Surgery of the jaw and facial skeleton. Any type of skin cover and replacement problems. All types of reconstruction following removal of cancer resulting in disfigurement of any part of the body including the face, breasts, trunk. What is aesthetic surgery? Aesthetic surgery, also known as cosmetic surgery, seeks to improve an individuals appearance. These type of operations most often involve the nose, ears, face, forehead, eyelids, breasts, abdomen, hips and thighs. Is a plastic surgeon a skin specialist? Although the primary interest of a dermatologist is the skin, the plastic surgeon as an equally important role of the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the skin. The skills of a plastic surgeon are especially needed when large areas of the skin must be removed and replaced especially where disfigurement may result or when these areas are in conspicuous areas such as the face. Does plastic surgery leave scars? Scarring is an inevitable result of the wound healing process. However a very fine lined scar placed in the correct orientation may be virtually invisible. A plastic surgeon has spent years mastering techniques to place scars in the most desirable location. Nevertheless there are certain areas of the body such as the back and chest which produce more severe scarring regardless of the technique used for reconstruction and closure. What is a keloid? A keloid is an overgrown or hyperplastic scar. In some patients keloids can grow from 10 to 50 times the size of the original scar. Treatment of keloids is a difficult task although various treatment modalities are available with varying results. Does plastic surgery always involve skin grafting? No. Skin grafting is used when it is the best way of closing a wound or defect. A qualified plastic surgeon has years of training to allow good judgment in deciding the best way of reconstructing a defect. A skin graft may appear to have poor color match and texture compared to the native skin, however with careful selection of a skin graft donor site these problems may be minimized. What is a pedicle graft or flap? A pedicle graft also called a flap, consists of a segment of skin, underlying subcutaneous tissue and/or muscle which is shifted from one area to an open wound or defect for coverage of that wound. The word pedicle means that the blood supply to the flap is never divided. When the blood supply is completely divided and reattached this is called a free flap, and requires specialized skill in microvascular surgery. What is rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction? Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose usually to improve appearance however it may also be required to relieve breathing problems. Post-operative pain from rhinoplasty is surprisingly mild. A splint is usually worn over the nose and sometimes inside the nose for five to seven days. There may be some bruising around the eyes however this clears in one to two weeks. Nasal reconstruction is most often encountered when removal of part of the nose is necessary for cancer removal. Plastic surgeons are specially trained to utilize available tissues to reconstruct the nose and match the pre-operative anatomy as close as possible. Can the nose be re-operated if the first surgery does not achieve the desired result? Revisions after rhinoplasty or nasal reconstruction are sometimes necessary. In general, it is prudent to wait approximately one year prior to any additional surgery. What can be done to correct protruding ears? Otoplasty is an operation done by plastic surgeons to normalize overly protruding ears. This operation is performed via incisions placed on the back of the ear that are very well hidden post-operatively. Results are excellent from this type of surgery. What aesthetic surgical procedures are performed to improve the aging face? There are various degrees and stages of facial aging. Plastic surgeons have undergone very specialized training to address all areas of facial rejuvenation. A face lift tightens and lifts the redundant skin in the face and neck. Additional procedures are available to improve the aesthetics of the forehead, eyes, mouth, chin and neck. Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques are also available. Fine wrinkles of the face may be best treated by laser resurfacing, chemical peels or other skin care treatments. How is a face lift done? During a face lift incisions are made in the hair line, temple region extending down in front of the ear and then around the back of the ear into the hairline. These incisions vary depending on the technique used by your plastic surgeon. Many plastic surgeons are well trained in more than one face lift technique. The skin of the face and neck is dissected into the cheeks and neck allowing it to be mobilized upward producing a tightening and smoothing result. Many plastic surgeons now also tighten the muscular layers underneath the skin as well during a face lift procedure. Years of specialized training are necessary to safely perform this procedure. However, spectacular results are possible. Does a face lift leave scars? Yes, however, as with other scars plastic surgeons have been trained to place them in areas that are very inconspicuous. Your plastic surgeon will be able to show you exactly where your scars will be following your surgery. Brow lift - A brow lift elevates the brows/forehead to their aesthetic position, as well as the obliteration of the transverse forehead wrinkles and vertical frown lines. Depending on each patient, the approach may be done with an open incision or a minimal incision endoscopic technique. How is excessive wrinkling and bagginess of the eyelids corrected? Blepharoplasty is the procedure done to correct this condition. Excessive skin and fat may be removed from both upper and lower eyelid. Tightening of the lower lid may also be done in concurrence with this procedure. One to two weeks of bruising and swelling is expected from this procedure. Blepharoplasty may be done in combination with or separate from face lifts or other types of aesthetic surgeries of the face such as brow lifts. What operations are performed to improve the appearance of the breasts? Three common procedures are performed: augmentation mammaplasty, mastopexy, reduction mammaplasty. Augmentation mammaplasty is a procedure that can safely enlarge a small breast. Various techniques are utilized, however, in general this is done using a saline breast implant. Implants may be placed in different positions depending on the physical make-up of the patient and her breasts. The implant may be introduced through three different incisions: below the breast, around the nipple areolar complex, or in axilla (arm pit). Mastopexy or breast lift is used when the patient is happy with the size of her breasts however due to aging and pregnancy the breast gland has begun to droop. Various techniques are employed to accomplish a breast lift and results are generally excellent. Reduction mammaplasty or breast reduction is designed to make overly large breasts smaller. Patients seeking this type of surgery often have multiple severe physical symptoms secondary to their large breasts including neck, shoulder, back pain, paresthesia of the arms and bra strap grooving of the shoulders. The technique of reduction mammaplasty requires lengthy incisions; however, they may be placed in inconspicuous locations such as the fold underneath the breast. Typical symptoms of back pain, neck pain etc. are almost always improved after reduction mammaplasty if not completely eliminated. This procedure is often covered by insurance. Can tattoos be removed? Tattoos can be difficult to remove depending on the type and color. Presently the use of the YAG laser offers some of the best results in tattoo removal. Generally speaking six to eight treatments spaced six weeks apart are required for satisfactory results. A * Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure, also known as tummy tuck, to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen. * Antihelical fold: A fold that is just inside the rim of the ear. * Arborizing veins: Veins that resemble tiny, branch-like shapes in a cartwheel pattern, often seen on the outer thigh. * Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. * Auditory canal: A passage in the ear. * Augmentation mammaplasty: Breast enlargement by surgery. B * Basal cell carcinoma: The most common form of skin cancer. Occurs in the epidermis. These growths are often round and pearly or darkly pigmented. * Bilateral gynecomastia: A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts affecting both breasts in men. * Biocompatible materials: Synthetic or natural material used in facial implants and designed to function along with living tissue. * Blepharoplasty: Eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. * Brachioplasty: A surgical procedure, also known as arm lift, to correct sagging of the upper arms. * Breast augmentation: Also known as augmentation mammaplasty; breast enlargement by surgery. * Breast lift: Also known as mastopexy; surgery to lift the breasts. * Breast reconstruction: Breast reconstruction is achieved through several plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following mastectomy. * Breast reduction: Reduction of breast size and breast lift by surgery. * Brow lift: A surgical procedure to correct a low-positioned or sagging brow. Smoothes furrows across the forehead and between the brows. C * Cancer: The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. * Capsular contracture: A complication of breast implant surgery which occurs when scar tissue that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant and becomes firm. * Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition caused by pressure to the median nerve within the wrist or carpal tunnel causing pain, tingling and numbness. * Cheiloplasty: Cleft lip repair surgery. * Cheiloschisis: The scientific term for a cleft lip. * Chemical peel solutions: Substances that penetrate the skin’s surface to soften irregularities in texture and color. * Circumferential thigh lift: A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the outer and mid-thigh. * Cleft: A separation of the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth. * Cleft lip: The incomplete formation of the upper lip. * Cleft palate: The incomplete formation of the roof of the mouth. * Collagen: A natural protein used as an injectable filler for soft tissue augmentation. * Columella: Tissue that separates the nostrils. * Conchal cartilage: The largest and deepest concavity of the external ear. * Constricted ear: Also called a lop or cup ear, has varying degrees of protrusion, reduced ear circumference, folding or flattening of the upper helical rim, and lowered ear position. * Contracture: A puckering or pulling together of tissues; a potential side effect of cleft surgery. * Contractures: Scars that restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissue that pull together during healing and usually occur when there is a large amount of tissue loss, such as after a burn. * Cryptotia: Also called hidden ear, occurs when the upper rim of the ear is buried beneath a fold of scalp secondary to abnormal folding of the upper ear cartilage toward the head. The folding is the reverse of that commonly seen in the protruding ear. D * Dermabrasion: Mechanical polishing of the skin. * DIEP flap: Deep Inferior Epigastric perforator flap which takes tissue from the abdomen. * Donor site: An area of your body where the surgeon harvests skin, muscle and fat to reconstruct your breast - commonly located in less exposed areas of the body such as the back, abdomen or buttocks. * Dupuytren’s contracture: A disabling hand disorder in which thick, scar-like tissue bands form within the palm and may extend into the fingers. It can cause restricted movement, bending the fingers into an abnormal position. E * Ear axis: The main line of ear growth. * Endocrine system: A group of glands that make hormones which help to control activities in your body such as reproduction, metabolism, growth and development. Testing of your endocrine system may be done to look for signs of diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, hypertension and obesity. * Epidermis: The uppermost portion of skin. * Excision: To remove the skin. * Extensor tendon: A tendon which serves to extend a bodily part. * External incisions: Surgical incisions made on the surface of your skin. F * Flap techniques: Surgical techniques used to reposition your own skin, muscle and fat to reconstruct or cover your breast. * Flexor tendon: A tendon which serves to bend a body part. * Frozen section: A surgical procedure in which the cancerous lesion is removed and microscopically examined by a pathologist prior to wound closure to ensure all cancerous cells have been removed. G * General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness. * Grafting: Tissue taken from other parts of the body. H * Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin. * Hemoglobin: Blood count. * Human fat: Harvested from your own body and used as an injectable filler for soft tissue augmentation. * Hyfrecation: Spider vein treatment in which the vessels are cauterized. * Hyperpigmented scar: A scar that is darker in color. * Hypertropic scar: Thick clusters of scar tissue that develop directly at a wound site. * Hypopigmented scar: A scar that is lighter in color. I * Injectable fillers: Substances used to restore volume and your youthful appearance. * Intraoral: Inside the mouth. * Intraoral incisions: Surgical incisions made inside the mouth. * Intravenous sedation: Sedatives are administered by injection into a vein to help you relax. K * Keloids: Large scars that can be painful or itchy, and may also pucker which can occur anywhere on your body, developing more commonly where there is little underlying fatty tissue, such as on the breastbone or shoulders. L * Laser resurfacing: A method to change to the surface of the skin that allows new, healthy skin to form at the scar site. * Laser therapy: An intense beam of light passed over the leg to eliminate spider veins. * Laser treatment: An intense beam of light directed at the spider vein, which obliterates it through the skin. * Latissimus dorsi flap technique: A surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin tunneled under the skin and tissue of a woman's back to the reconstructed breast and remains attached to its donor site, leaving blood supply intact. * Light therapy: (Intense Pulsed Light) Pulses of light that can be used to treat discoloration and texture changes of the skin. * Lipoplasty: Another term for liposuction. * Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness. * Local anesthesia: A drug is injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain. * Local flap: A surgical procedure used for skin cancer in which healthy, adjacent tissue is repositioned over the wound. * Lower body lift: Surgical procedure to correct sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin, and outer thighs. M * Macrotia: Overly large ears; a rare condition. * Mammogram: An x-ray image of the breast. * Mastectomy: The removal of a breast, typically to rid the body cancer. * Medial thigh lift: A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the inner thigh. * Melanoma: A skin cancer that is most often distinguished by its pigmented blackish or brownish coloration and irregular and ill-defined borders is the most serious form of skin cancer. It occurs in the deepest portion of the epidermis, and for this reason, melanoma is the most likely form of skin cancer to spread quickly in the skin and to other parts of the body. * Microsurgery: High magnification to repair or reconnect severed nerves and tendons, common in trauma cases and often used to reattach severed fingers or limbs. * Microtia: The most complex congenital ear deformity when the outer ear appears as either a sausage-shaped structure resembling little more than the earlobe, or has more recognizable parts of the concha and tragus or other normal ear features. It may or may not be missing the external auditory or hearing canal. Hearing is impaired to varying degrees. * Mohs surgery: A surgical procedure that’s used when skin cancer is like an iceberg. Beneath the skin, the cancerous cells cover a much larger region and there are no defined borders. * MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; a painless test to view tissue similar to an x-ray. N * Nasolabial fold: Deep creases between the nose and mouth. * Nevi: A mole. O * Obturator: An intraoral device your child may wear prior to repair of the cleft lip which may assist in feeding and maintain the arch of the lip prior to repair. * Otoplasty: A surgical procedure also known as ear surgery to improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. P * Palatoschisis: The scientific term for a cleft palate. * PMMA: A widely used implant material formed into tiny microspheres and suspended in a collagen gel for use as a wrinkle filler. * Polydactyly: The presence of extra fingers. R * Reduction mammaplasty: The surgical removal of breast tissue to reduce the size of breasts. * Reticular veins: Larger, darker leg veins that tend to bulge slightly, but are not severe enough to require surgical treatment. * Rheumatoid arthritis: A disabling disease that can cause severe inflammation in any joint of the body. In the hand, it can deform fingers and impair movement. * Rhytidectomy: A surgical procedure, also known as facelift, to reduce sagging of the mid-face, jowls and neck. S * Saline implants: Breast implants filled with a salt water solution. * Sclerotherapy: Sclerosing solution injected into a vein, causing it to collapse and fade from view. * SGAP flap: Superior Gluteal Artery perforator flap, which takes tissue from the buttock. * Silicone implants: Breast implants filled with an elastic gel solution. * Simple linear veins: Veins which appear as thin, separate lines, and are commonly seen on the inner knee or on the face. * Skin graft: A surgical procedure used for skin cancer. Healthy skin is removed from one area of the body and relocated to the wound site. A suture line is positioned to follow the natural creases and curves of the face if possible, to minimize the appearance of the resulting scar. * Skin resurfacing: Treatment to improve the texture, clarity and overall appearance of your skin. * Soft tissue augmentation: The use of injectable fillers to restore volume and your youthful appearance. * Spider-shaped veins: A group of veins radiating outward from a dark central point. * Spider veins: Small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear in the skin on the thighs, calves and ankles. * Stahl’s ear: An ear that is distorted in shape due to an abnormal fold of cartilage. * Suction lipectomy: Another term for liposuction. * Support hose: Special stockings that compress your legs, typically used for varicose veins and post-surgical conditions. * Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together. * Syndactyly: When fingers are fused together. T * Tendon: A tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part. * Tenolysis: A surgical procedure to free a tendon from surrounding adhesions. * Tissue expansion: A procedure that can substitute for skin grafts. An inflatable balloon called a tissue expander is placed under the skin near the scar site to stretch additional skin to be used to revise a scar. Oftentimes, multiple procedures are needed. * TRAM flap: Also known as transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous flap, a surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin from your own abdomen to reconstruct the breast. * Transaxillary incision: An incision made in the underarm area. * Trigger finger: An abnormal condition in which flexion or extension of a finger may be momentarily obstructed by spasm followed by a snapping into place. * Tumescent or super-wet liposuction: Requires an infusion of saline solution with adrenaline and possibly anesthetic prior to removal of excess fat. * Tummy tuck: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen. U * Unilateral gynecomastia: A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts affecting just one breast in men. * Ultrasound: A diagnostic procedure that projects high-frequency sound waves into the body and changes the echoes into pictures. * Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty: Uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy excess fat prior to surgical suctioning. V * Varicose veins: Abnormally swollen or dilated veins. * Venous system: Veins. Z * Z-plasty: A surgical incision technique that creates small triangular flaps of tissue that help to close wounds over areas of the hand where bending or flexing is essential to function, such as around knuckles. * Z-plasty for Scar Revision: A surgical technique that creates angled flaps on either side of the original scar site that can completely reposition or change scar direction, interrupt scar tension or improve scar flexibility. FAQ SECTIONS * What is Plastic Surgery? * How does a physician become a plastic surgeon? * Does certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensure that a patient will get a perfect result from an operation? * What questions should I ask before choosing a plastic surgeon to make sure he/she is qualified to operate on me? * What procedures do plastic surgeons perform? * What is aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery? * Is a plastic surgeon a skin specialist? * Will I have a scar after plastic surgery? * Does plastic surgery always involve skin grafting? * What is a pedicle graft or flap? * What is rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction? * Can I receive a second nose reshaping if the first surgery does not produce the desired result? * What aesthetic surgical procedures are performed to improve the aging face? * How is a face lift done? * Does a face lift leave scars? * How is excessive wrinkling and bagginess of the eyelids corrected? * What surgery can improve the appearance of breasts? * Am I a good candidate for liposuction? * Do the results of liposuction last? * What areas of the body can be treated with liposuction? * Does liposuction leave scars? What is Plastic Surgery? Plastic surgery is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with the healing and restoration of patients with injury, disfigurement or scarring resulting from trauma, disease or congenital defects. It includes aesthetic, or cosmetic surgery to correct or rejuvenate facial and bodily features not pleasing to the patient. Derived from Greek, the word plastic means molding or giving form and does not refer to the use of plastic materials. How does a physician become a plastic surgeon? Training to become a plastic surgeon is a difficult task. To become board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery a physician must complete a specialized post-graduate training course of five to seven years. Background training usually includes a thorough grounding in general surgery however, a background in ENT or orthopedics may be acceptable. The final two to three years of training must be in an approved plastic surgery training center. Prior to official certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery the physician must pass a rigorous set of both written and oral examinations. While numerous physicians use the term "plastic" surgeons only those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are true plastic surgeons. Does certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensure that a patient will get a perfect result from an operation? No. Healing of operated tissue is affected by several factors, and some of these are beyond the control of the surgeon. As in any other type of medicine, no guarantee of perfection or even a good result can be given. By making sure to do your homework before choosing a plastic surgeon, you can check out a surgeon's training, skill, and experience to better ensure your safety and desired results. Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery means that the surgeon has completed the rigorous requirements for full time practice as a specialist in plastic surgery. What questions should I ask before choosing a plastic surgeon to make sure he/she is qualified to operate on me? Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Plastic Surgery If you're thinking about getting cosmetic surgery, it's your job to become an informed consumer. Selecting a qualified doctor, with a lot of training and experience in the procedure you'd like to get, is essential. Ask the right questions to get the best treatment: What training did the surgeon have after medical school? Was it plastic surgery? How many surgeries of this type does the doctor perform each year? How many years has the doctor performed this type of surgery? What hospital can the doctor admit patients or work in? You'll want to know in case of an emergency. You can also check with the hospital for the surgeon's credentials. What are the risks of the procedure? How often do they happen? What does the doctor do if they happen? What is the expected recovery for the procedure you're having? If you're thinking about having your surgery in the doctor's office, there are advantages and disadvantages. The office might be convenient, private, and have more amenities than a hospital or ambulatory care center (non-emergency, outpatient facility). But it may not be safe. Don't assume that the doctor has the right credentials or the right equipment to keep you safe in the office. o Some surgical procedures can be performed in the doctor's office or other outpatient facility but it is important to find out if the doctor has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure you are having. Before granting operating privileges, hospital review committees evaluate a surgeons training and competency for specific procedures. * Where will you perform my surgery? o If it's in an office-based facility, ask if it's accredited. Most states don't require ambulatory or office-based facilities to be accredited, but voluntary application can be made to an accrediting body such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. Such accreditation means the facility has met strict requirements and denotes a high standard of care. * How many procedures of this type have you performed? o Also ask what training has been completed, especially in new techniques. Ask to see certificates of training. * What are the risks involved with the procedure? o There are risks with any surgical procedure. Find out what they are, how often they occur, and how they will be handled if they do occur. * What is the expected recovery time? o Be sure to discuss postoperative restrictions on activity and typical time periods for resuming work. * What is your policy on surgical revisions? o Some cases may require revisions to achieve the desired results. Find out about any costs for which you may be responsible. * How much will the surgery cost? o Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance, and payment usually is required in advance. Costs include the surgeon's fee and fees for the surgical facility and anesthesia. Other possible costs are the preoperative physical and blood work, medications, surgical garments and private-duty nursing. What procedures do plastic surgeons perform? Aesthetic (also called cosmetic) problems with the face, neck and trunk, including forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chin, neck, breasts, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, arms, and skin. Congenital deformities of the hands and face, including clefts of the lip and palate. Benign (non-cancer) and malignant (cancerous) tumors of the head and neck, skin and soft tissues. Traumatic injuries of the bony facial skeleton and hand as well as soft tissue injuries of any part of the body. Surgery of the hand. Surgery of the jaw and facial skeleton. Any type of skin cover and replacement problems. All types of reconstruction following removal of cancer resulting in disfigurement of any part of the body including the face, breasts, trunk. What is aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery? Aesthetic surgery, also known as cosmetic surgery, seeks to improve an individuals appearance. These type of operations most often involve the nose, ears, face, forehead, eyelids, breasts, abdomen, hips and thighs. Is a plastic surgeon a skin specialist? Dermatologists specialize in skin, but the plastic surgeon has an equally important role of the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the skin. The skills of a plastic surgeon are especially needed when large areas of the skin must be removed and replaced especially where disfigurement may result or when these areas are in conspicuous areas such as the face. Plastic surgeons also perform skin resurfacing techniques, for cosmetic purposes, in order to achieve healthier looking skin by reducing facial wrinkling and pigmentary changes of the skin. Will I have a scar after plastic surgery? Scarring is inevitable of healing, however a very fine lined scar placed in the correct orientation may be virtually invisible. A plastic surgeon spends years trying to master techniques to place scars in the most desirable location. Plastic surgeons will try to make incisions in areas that will not show, like under undergarments or along natural creases. Scars will normally fade over time, but certain areas of the body such as the back and chest, produce more severe scarring regardless of the technique used for reconstruction and closure. The severity of the scarring varies from person to person. Does plastic surgery always involve skin grafting? Skin grafting is only used when it is the best way of closing a wound or defect. A qualified plastic surgeon uses judgment to decide the best way of reconstructing a defect. A skin graft may appear to have poor color match and texture compared to the native skin, but with careful selection of a skin graft donor site these problems may be minimized. What is a pedicle graft or flap? A pedicle graft also called a flap, consists of a segment of skin, underlying subcutaneous tissue and/or muscle which is shifted from one area to an open wound or defect for coverage of that wound. The word pedicle means that the blood supply to the flap is never divided. When the blood supply is completely divided and reattached this is called a free flap, and requires specialized skill in microvascular surgery. What is rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction? Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping, reshapes the nose to improve appearance, and it may also be used to alleviate breathing problems. Pain from nose reshaping procedures are surprisingly mild. A splint is usually worn over the nose and sometimes inside the nose for five to seven days. There may be some bruising around the eyes, but this usually clears up in one to two weeks. Can I receive a second nose reshaping if the first surgery does not produce the desired result? Sometimes a touch-up is necessary after a nose reshaping, but it is generally better to wait a year before any additional surgery is performed. This also allows the maximum time to see the final results of the surgery. What aesthetic surgical procedures are performed to improve the aging face? There are various degrees and stages of facial aging that can be caused by the natural aging process, heredity, and lifestyle choices. Plastic surgeons have undergone training to address all areas of facial rejuvenation. A face lift tightens and lifts the redundant skin in the face and neck. Additional procedures are available to improve the aesthetics of the forehead, eyes, mouth, chin and neck. Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques are also available. Fine wrinkles of the face may be best treated by skin resurfacing techniques, like laser resurfacing, chemical peels or other skin care treatments. How is a face lift done? During a face lift incisions are made in the hair line, temple region extending down in front of the ear and then around the back of the ear into the hairline. These incisions vary depending on the technique used by your plastic surgeon. Many plastic surgeons are well trained in more than one face lift technique. The skin of the face and neck is dissected into the cheeks and neck allowing it to be mobilized upward producing a tightening and smoothing result. Many plastic surgeons can now also tighten the muscular layers underneath the skin as well during a face lift procedure. Years of specialized training are necessary to safely perform this procedure. The results can be subtle or drastic depending on the condition of the facial area prior to the surgery and the desired results. Does a face lift leave scars? Yes, but as with other scars plastic surgeons have been trained to place them in areas that are very inconspicuous. Your plastic surgeon will be able to show you exactly where your scars will be following your surgery. Normally your hair will cover up most of the scars and makeup can touch up any leftover marks. How is excessive wrinkling and bagginess of the eyelids corrected? Eyelid surgery can correct this condition. Excessive skin and fat may be removed from both upper and lower eyelid. Tightening of the lower lid may also be done in concurrence with this procedure. One to two weeks of bruising and swelling is expected from this procedure. Eyelid surgery may be done in combination with or separate from face lifts or other types of aesthetic surgeries of the face such as brow lifts to better proportion your facial features. What surgery can improve the appearance of breasts? Three common procedures are performed: breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction. Augmentation mammaplasty is a procedure that can safely enlarge a small breast or increase an undesired size. Different techniques are used, but in general this is performed using a saline breast implant, after the FDA ruled silicone unsafe in 1992. Implants may be placed in different positions depending on the physical make-up of the patient and her breasts. The implant may be introduced through three different incisions: below the breast, around the nipple areolar complex, or in axilla (arm pit). A breast lift is used when the patient is happy with the size of her breasts however due to aging and pregnancy the breast gland has begun to droop. Various techniques are employed to accomplish a breast lift and results are generally excellent. Breast reduction is designed to make overly large breasts smaller. Patients seeking this type of surgery often have multiple severe physical symptoms secondary to their large breasts including neck, shoulder, back pain, paresthesia of the arms and bra strap grooving of the shoulders. The technique of breast reduction requires lengthy incisions; however, they may be placed in inconspicuous locations such as the fold underneath the breast. Typical symptoms of back pain, neck pain etc. are almost always improved after a breast reduction if not completely eliminated. This procedure is often covered by insurance. Am I a good candidate for liposuction? Liposuction is not used for weight loss, rather to correct problem areas or fat bulges. A candidate will be close to their ideal weight because a liposuction is typically performed in patients that have an area of fat they find hard to lose. The fat removed does not weight a lot, so patients should expect a shape change, not a weight change. Do the results of liposuction last? As long as the patient maintains a healthy life-style, including exercise and a sensible diet, liposuction results are long lasting. Once the fat cells have been removed from an area there is no longer a preferential fat storage area and any fat gain will be distributed more evenly over the rest of the body. What areas of the body can be treated with liposuction? Most body areas can be treated with liposuction, though the most common areas in females are the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Men are often treated for liposuction in the breasts, hips, and abdomen. Liposuction is not limited to these areas, though other places may include the upper arms, under the chin and the buttocks. Does liposuction leave scars? Incisions made during liposuction are generally very small and put in areas that are more inconspicuous. Most cases of liposuction will heal well and it will be difficult to see where they were originally made. |