When we hear the word 'Plastic Surgery', most of us think of the surgeries that actors and actresses undergo to make themselves look better, right? But the story is actually much deeper than that. A plastic surgeon is not just someone who makes you look better. He is a highly trained specialist who can restore a body part that has been damaged due to an accident, burn, illness, or a congenital problem. So today, let's talk about this field.
Are 'Plastic Surgery' and ' Cosmetic Surgery ' two different things?
Yes. This is where many people get confused. There is a clear difference between the two. Simply put,
plastic surgery is a
'reconstructive' procedure. That is, it restores the function and appearance of a body part that has been damaged for some reason. Think of someone who has suffered a serious facial injury in an accident, someone who has
burns , or a woman who has had a breast removed due to cancer. Plastic surgeons help them in such cases. On the other hand,
cosmetic surgery is surgery to make someone's appearance more beautiful or improve their appearance. For example, rhinoplasty and facelift fall into this category.
Most importantly, many plastic surgeons are also trained to perform cosmetic surgery. However , not all plastic surgeons are cosmetic surgeons. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between the two.
How long does it take to study to become such an expert?
Becoming a plastic surgeon is one of the most challenging and competitive fields in the medical field. It requires more than a decade of training. Typically, after graduating from medical school, these people must undergo several years of specialized training in surgical science. This training includes both general surgery and plastic surgery. Only after successfully completing this training period (residency program) and passing special exams are they allowed to practice as a plastic surgeon. After that, they can spend another year or two studying in more depth in a specific field. This is called a 'Fellowship'.
Some of the areas in which they gain expertise
These people receive specialized training in each field. Check out the table below to get a better idea of this.
| Subspecialty | Simply put, what do they do? |
|---|
| Breast Surgery | Reconstruction surgery is performed to change appearance, reduce large breasts, or rebuild a breast that has been removed due to cancer. |
| Aesthetics | This is the field we all know about. Surgery performed to change a person's appearance to their liking. |
| Craniofacial Surgery | Surgeries involving the skull, face, ears, nose, and mouth. They perform things like cleft lip/cleft palate, facial deformities, and reconstructing missing ears or noses. |
| General Reconstructive Surgery | Things like non-healing wounds, scar repair, and scar revision are done here. |
| Hand Surgery | Hand injuries, injuries caused by being caught in machinery, or long-term hand conditions are treated. |
| Burns and Scars | One of their main tasks is to repair severe burn wounds and treat the resulting scars. |
What other things does a plastic surgeon do?
A plastic surgeon can repair or reconstruct any part of our body except the Central Nervous System, which is the brain and spinal cord. They usually work in clinics, offices, or hospitals. Some of the main surgeries they perform include:
- Breast Reconstruction: Reconstructing a breast that has been removed due to cancer.
- Burn Repair: Treatment of severe burns and scars.
- Lower Extremity Reconstruction: Reconstructing damage to the lower extremities caused by accidents or diseases.
- Hand Surgery: Surgery to restore function to the hand.
- Scar Revision: To reduce the appearance of large, unsightly scars and improve their appearance.
- Migraine Relief : For some severe migraine conditions, surgery can be used to relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Jaw Straightening: Treatment for jaw position problems.
- Corrective surgeries for genetic problems: For example, separating fingers that were born fused together.
Why should you see a plastic surgeon?
There are two reasons for this.
1. Reconstructive Need: If you have a physical problem, damage from an accident or burn, or a congenital defect, your Primary Care Physician or the specialist treating you will refer you to a plastic surgeon. This is the most appropriate approach.
2. Cosmetic Need: If you are concerned about something about your appearance and want to change it, you should see a plastic surgeon. But here
There is something you need to be extremely careful about. Make sure that the doctor you choose has the proper training, expertise, and a recognized license in this field. Never let someone who is not qualified do such complicated things. It is very important for your safety to ask your doctor about this and choose a qualified, experienced specialist.
Take-Home Message
- Plastic surgery is basically the reconstruction of body parts damaged by accidents, burns, diseases, or birth defects .
- Cosmetic surgery is surgery performed to improve appearance.
- Becoming a plastic surgeon requires very long and specialized training.
- Many plastic surgeons are also trained in cosmetic surgery.
- If you need reconstructive surgery, your doctor will refer you to an appropriate specialist.
- If you are considering cosmetic surgery, always make sure to choose a properly qualified, experienced, and reputable specialist.
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