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Plastic Surgery is a surgical superspeciality concerned with the repair of deformities and correction of functional deficits. The word ‘Plastic’ comes from the Greek word ‘Plastikos’ which means to mould, to reform and to recreate a body part that is lost, whether to congenital defects, to trauma, to cancer or to degenerative disease process.
The plastic surgery procedures can be either reconstructive or aesthetic (cosmetic) in nature. Reconstructive procedures are the ones which help the patient restore their deformed or lost parts, while the cosmetic procedures are meant to improve upon what God has given or what time and nature has taken away.
The costs involved depend on the type of procedure one wishes to undergo. Needless to say, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is generally more expensive than Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. In many cases of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery for needy patients the costs are consciously kept to the bare minimum so as to make it affordable to a larger number of patients.
As with all types of surgeries in general, Plastic Surgery too carries its own risks such as infection, bleeding, scarring, and anesthesia reactions. And in certain types of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, the outcome may not exactly match the expectations of the patient.
Any person of any age suffering from any of the following problems may be the candidate for plastic surgery:
Birth or Congenital Defects.
Accidents and Injuries
Burn Injuries
Post Surgery Defects
Following extensive removal of various parts or areas involved in malignant or cancerous growths such as breasts, jaws, lips etc.
Skin Defects
Cosmetic or Aesthetic Surgery
All plastic surgery operations are absolutely painless as they are done under effective local or general anesthesia. Most of the patients can go back home the same evening or in a couple of days.
All plastic surgery operations are absolutely painless as they are done under effective local or general anesthesia. Most of the patients can go back home the same evening or in a couple of days.
Latest reports show, it carries minimal or no risk for cancer.
It can be done at any time as it does not interfere with breast feeding.
Yes, a small percentage (less than one percent) of patients have permanent loss of sensation. Only some patients get temporary alteration of sensation of nipple/areola complex.
Although breast implants do make interpretation of mammography difficult but the newer techniques in mammography have made it easier.
The size of breast implant is a matter of choice. It can be decided by wearing breast implant sizers under the clothes.
There can be bleeding around the implant which can get infected and implant may need to be removed.
Yes, but in hidden areas.
They are silicone bags containing silicone gel or saline which are quite inert to the body.
A: Breast reduction surgery can remedy a number of problems associated with enlarged breasts, including back and neck pain, shoulder strain, poor posture, skin irritation and infection, shortness of breath, difficulty participating in sports or other recreational activities, difficulty fitting in clothes, social/sexual embarrassment.
As with all surgery, breast reduction surgery does come with some risks. Complications may include infection, blood clots, adverse reaction to anesthesia, loss of nipple sensation, asymmetry, and scarring. In some cases, a woman may lose the ability to breast feed.
Fat reduction surgery is ideally a "Body Shaping" surgery, not a weight reduction surgery.
Approximately 3 to 4 litres of fat can be safely removed in one sitting but larger amounts can be removed with a calculated risk.
Tummy (stomach area), Hips, Thighs, Legs, Arms, Chin, Face, breast, Male breast, Neck and Love handles
No, the complications of surgery are rare and minor.
The results of liposuction are usually permanent with a sensible diet and exercise. If the patient gains weight post-liposuction, the fat is usually distributed to other areas of the body
The recovery period usually lasts from four weeks to six months, depending on the patient and the extent of the procedure. Swelling typically subsides after a week while bruising may last one to two weeks or longer. Usually patients can return to work after a week or two and resume more strenuous physical activity after two to four weeks.
No, liposuction is used to get rid of isolated areas of fat which are diet and/or exercise resistant. Weight loss is achieved as the fat removed does have mass.
The best candidates for liposuction are people at their normal weight who have isolated areas of fat. Firm, elastic skin allows for a better outcome. The patient’s age is not a factor.
It is suggested that you take off of work for 3-5 days after surgery but continue to avoid strenuous activity for one month after surgery.
The doctor will assess each patient and discuss returning to their exercise regimen. Normal daily routine can be started in next 3-4 days and vigorous exercises can start after 6 weeks.
If after liposuction surgery one does not eat healthy food and or does not do regular exercise, the fat cells that remain in the treated area can swell.
Hair from areas at back and sides of head are taken in the form of mini and micro grafts and placed in bald area.
Patient’s own hair from the back of the scalp are used for transplant.
Patient should stop using minoxidil lotion about one month before surgery. He should also stop using aspirin for two weeks prior to surgery.
Yes, the transplanted hair do not fall for the rest of the life but the original hair may keep falling with age.
The transplanted hair need special care for only two weeks after surgery. Afterwards they need the daily routine care.
It takes approximately one year for the hair to grow to the full length.
Cleft lip can be operated any time after the age of 3 months if the child’s health is good, but sooner the better.
Cleft palate should be operated at any age between 9months and 18 months. Delay may cause problems in child’s speech.
Although some correction of the deformity is done at the time of repair of lip, Final correction is advised around the age of 17 years.
Proper feeding of the child is absolutely essential. Child should be immunized according to the schedule. Regular ENT check-ups are necessary to diagnose and treat ear problems in such children. Occurrence of “glue ear” is common in them before cleft palate is repaired.
As the name suggests the scars can only be revised and not removed. The revised scars are well hidden in the skin creases, are less prominent and improve over a period of 6 months.
Healing after rhinoplasty is slow and gradual with subtle swelling sometimes persisting for months. However, patients can usually expect to return to work within a week ortwoand to more strenuous activity within two to three week.
Majority of swelling subsides after 6 weeks but the final appearance of nose can be appreciated only after 6 months.
With the exception of changes associated with aging, results are permanent.
After 16 years in females and after 18 years in males.
No, there are surgical limitations, More importantly nose can be made to suit the face, it should be in balance with other facial features. Expectation should be realistic.
Removal of loose extra skin of the abdomen along with removal of fat by liposuction to give a better shape to the tummy is called tummy-tuck.
Scarring is inevitable . The tummy tuck procedure will produce a permanent scar at the site of incision which will lie hidden under the undergarments.
The results of this procedure are permanent with proper diet and exercise. However, significant weight loss or gain, pregnancy and ageing may effect the surgical outcome over a period of years. After several years, a second tummy tuck can be performed to restore originally satisfying results.
Loose skin of the face is surgically removed to get rid of creases and signs of ageing.
The results will vary from person-to-person. However, most people can expect their results to last between five and ten Years.
This will depend on the individual. Most people are able to return to work between 10 and14 daysafter their surgery even though swelling and bruising may take up to three weeks to disappear. Doctors advise against returning to any strenuous activities for at least two weeks. Sun exposure should also be limited.
Early healing of burn wounds is very essential for prevention of these deformities. Deep burn wounds should be treated by early wound excision and immediate skin grafting which results in early wound healing with good cosmetic and functional result. Physical and Occupational Therapy is a very important part of rehabilitation for people suffering from Burn Scars / Deformities / Contractures as it may limit patient’s activities to a great deal.
Depending on the type of scar, different surgical procedures are employed for Burn Scars / Deformities / Contractures.
Treatment of Burn Scars / Deformities / Contractures is performed not only because they aesthetically non-appealing but also to improve the function of involved body part.
