Why is it Called ‘Plastic Surgery’?

 

What is Plastic Surgery?

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, plastic surgery is defined as “a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures.” Unlike other surgical specialties, plastic surgery is not confined to a single organ system. Plastic surgeons can treat anything from congenital anomalies to cancer and trauma, as well as perform strictly cosmetic procedures.

As for the name “plastic surgery”, the name comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means to form or mold. This makes sense, as plastic surgery can change a person’s ability to function and appearance.

Types of Plastic Surgery

There are an array of different plastic surgery procedures, including breast procedures, fat reduction, body lifts, face and neck procedures, male-specific procedures, genital procedures, and more.  Plastic surgeons can also perform reconstructive surgery to restore the body after an injury, disease, or congenital defect. Some of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed today include:

Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure performed to suction fat from specific areas of the body to achieve a shapelier silhouette. There are also an array of different types of liposuction, including tumescent liposuction and ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. Liposuction an be used on many different areas of the body, including the chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, and more.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is performed to enlarge the breasts, make asymmetrical breasts equal in size, or to replace a breast that is absent. Silicone and saline breast implants are placed into the breast pocket to enhance the shape and size of the breasts. Most patients can return to their regular activities after two weeks.

Eyelid Lift

Eyelid lift, also called a blepharoplasty, is performed for cosmetic reasons and to improve vision when the eyelids obstruct vision. This procedure can address sagging skin on the upper lids and chronic puffiness and wrinkling on the lower lids for a more youthful appearance.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or an abdominoplasty, is a procedure to eliminate excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, and also correct separated abdominal muscles. It is important to understand that a tummy tuck is a not a weight loss solution, rather a body shaping procedure. Often, patients who have undergo pregnancy or weight loss can find this procedure helpful.

Breast Reduction

A breast reduction procedure is performed to correct very heavy or overly large breasts that cause chronic back pain, neck pain, and poor posture. This procedure can also help women to feel more confident in their bodies and find clothing that fits better.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in learning more about our offered plastic surgery procedures, contact Straith Clinic today at 248-270-5272. Your first step will be to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Sabbagh or Dr. Baca.

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