Do You Need Plastic Surgery?It is quite common these days for people to wish to undergo plastic surgery when they are discontented about something in their bodies. This is not however the only aspect of plastic surgery. There are a lot of considerations involved in plastic surgery and your doctor would have to assess if you truly need the procedure. Plastic Surgery The term actually comes from the original Greek word plastikos which means “to mold”. The procedure in general basically involves repairing, reshaping or restoring skin, tissue and body parts. The end result is a better appearance or a restoration or enhancement of functions. There are two major types of plastic surgery, reconstructive and cosmetic. Reconstructive and Cosmetic Reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery differ on their purpose and use. As the term suggests, reconstructive plastic surgery is a procedure that is resorted to in cases of body deformities or injuries that are physically and psychologically debilitating. A reconstructive surgeon can therefore correct cleft palates and other inborn deformities to give an individual a better chance at living and interacting normally. Traumatic accidental injuries too such as burns and car crash injuries may be solved through reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery is a method of reshaping, adding or removing parts of the skin, soft bone or fats to make a person more satisfied and confident with his appearance. Rhinoplasty is an example of this procedure in which the shape of the nose is modified. Liposuction is another popular kind of cosmetic surgery in which fats in different parts of the body are suctioned through a cannula and pump to make a person look more toned. Laser surgery is now also considered a new form of cosmetic surgery but is significantly less invasive. Instead of making incisions, a doctor or specialist may use specially controlled lasers to correct a defect such as stretch marks, cellulite and unwanted hair. Candidates It is understood that the candidates for reconstructive plastic surgery do not have much of a choice but to undergo the procedure if they want to regain or achieve better functions. Candidates for cosmetic plastic surgery however are more carefully chosen. Some procedures such as liposuction and abdominoplasty for example can only be used on a person who is already close to his ideal weight and merely has a small deposit of stubborn fats that need to be removed. A candidate for cosmetic surgery also needs to be both physically and emotionally healthy. Most doctors would also need to counsel candidates regarding realistic expectations. This means that not all cosmetic plastic surgery procedures produce the best desired results. Sometimes some flaws still remain. Recovery and Risks The recovery and risks involved in surgery will depend on the procedure used. Laser surgery for example is considered minimally invasive and usually only involves a little bruising. Most patients do not need a lot of days to recover from this procedure. Other procedures however that need extensive incisions and stitching may involve weeks of pain, swelling and bruising. Patients may have to undergo recovery periods that may last for weeks. All surgical procedures also come with inherent risks. Patients may be exposed to possible risks of infections as well as tissue and organ damage especially in the hands of an incompetent practitioner. |
