Plastic Surgery Can Mold the Body

However, most patients focus on the cosmetic aspects of plastic surgery. Some of the most popular plastic surgery procedures include liposuction, breast augmentation, rhinoplasties, and face lifts. Additionally, there are less invasive procedures that are more cost-effective, and require less recovery time.

The field of plastic surgery began in 7th century India with rhinoplasties, or nose jobs. This procedure had become common because cutting off the nose was a common form of punishment. Back then, the procedure was based on making skin grafts from one part of the body to restore some form to mutilated noses. Over time, doctors developed better techniques in anesthesia and incisions to help improve the rhinplasty. Plastic surgery remained focused on reconstructive techniques, especially after World War I, when wounded soldiers returned hom seeking cosmetic solutions to their facial injuries. Some of the most common procedures during this time included rhinoplasties and skin grafts. In fact, the first recorded plastic surgery patient is a British soldier who had received a skin graft to correct a facial disfigurement.

Many of the plastic surgery procedures today are based on the skin graft and incisions techniques first used to develop the rhinoplasty. Liposuction is the most common plastic surgery procedure today. Liposuction uses a suction tube to remove excess fat, and is often combined with other procedures such as a tummy tuck or facelift because removing the excess fat creates excess skin, which is also removed during these procedures. Many of the patients seeking liposuction, a tummy tuck, or facelift have cosmetic motivations, although some patients will have liposuction to relieve pressure around joints with too much excess fat. Breast augmentation is most popular among young women. In the past, there was some suspected risk with using the silicone implants. However, these concerns were proven unture, and most of the risk with breast augmentation concerns complications with incisions and scar tissue. Many incision techniques are used to eliminate scarring and nerve damage to the areola and nipples, which can have an effect on breast feeding later in life. Rhinoplasties are not as popular but they are common among some ethnic groups to correct anatomic features. Additionally, rhinoplasties are still popular for patients seeking reconstructive plastic surgery. In these cases, the patient may experience breathing difficulties that can be corrected with a rhinoplasty. Each of these procedures combines medical expertise with artistry to create a more desirable form for each patient.

People seek plastic surgery for many reasons. While the field was developed out of necessity, many of the procedures today are purely cosmetic. However, plastic surgeons approach each procedure artistically to restore form and function to the face, breasts, nose, or any other part of the body.