All About Plastic Surgery and When It Started

The field of plastic surgery is in fact an ancient art. There is evidence of reconstructive surgeries on the nose being performed in 7th century India. During those times, a form of punishment was to cut off the nose of criminals, and rhinoplasties developed to reconstruct the amputated noses. Over time, techniques in anesthesia, incisions, and skin grafting helped improve the rhinplasty. However, plastic surgery remained focused on reconstructive techniques because of the overall dangers related to surgery. After World War I, surgeons began developing safer techniques when wounded soldiers came home from war with disfiguring facial injuries. Some of the most common procedures for these injuries were skin grafts, and rhinoplasties. Coincidentally, a British soldier is the first known person to undergo a reconstructive procedure.

Today, the most common plastic surgery procedure is liposuction; a rhinoplasty is second behind the liposuction. Liposuction uses a suction tube to remove excess fat, and reshape a selected part of the body. It is so common because it can be performed in combination with other procedures such as a tummy tuck or facelift; although both are not as common as liposuction itself. A tummy tuck or facelift involves the use of liposuction because they are meant to reconstruct or reshape areas that tend to sag and wrinkle due to age and lack of skin elasticity. Once the excess fat has been removed, the surgeon will also remove the excess skin; these procedures combine both techniques. Patients seeking liposuction, a tummy tuck, or facelift tend to have cosmetic motivations. It can also be performed without any of the other procedures since many patients seek liposuction to restore a toned appearance to the stomach, thighs, or buttocks. Although the rhinoplasty has gained popularity among patients looking to improve the appearance of their nose for cosmetic reasons, it is still a popular reconstructive surgery for facial disfigurements or functionality. Many ethnic patients have considered a rhinoplasty to reshape distinctive nasal characteristics. Additionally, a rhinoplasty is commonly used to restore functionality. Breast augmentation, which falls behind nose resonctruction, is most popular among younger women, although it can also be used to restore form for patients who have undergone a masectomy. It involves make a series of incisions in the breast to insert silicone or saline implants that will increase the size of the breasts.

Plastic surgery has many motivations that include enhancing one appearance, or improving functionality. Although most patients consider it for cosmetic reasons, the field developed from reconstructive motivations.