Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on enhancing the appearance and function of various parts of the body. This branch of surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures, including facelifts, breast augmentations, tummy tucks, and reconstructive surgeries for individuals with birth defects, injuries, or illnesses.

Overview and Definition

Aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery is a medical specialty that involves the restoration, reconstruction, and alteration of the human body's appearance and function. Aesthetic surgery, also known as cosmetic surgery, is focused on improving the appearance of healthy individuals by enhancing and reshaping certain features, such as the face, breasts, and body contour.

Plastic surgery, on the other hand, is concerned with correcting defects and deformities caused by birth defects, injuries, or diseases. 

Reconstructive surgery is a subspecialty of plastic surgery that aims to restore the function and appearance of body parts affected by trauma, disease, or congenital abnormalities. This field utilizes a variety of surgical techniques, including skin grafts, tissue expansion, and microsurgery, to help patients achieve their desired outcomes (1,2)

Education and Training 

To become an aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeon in the US, one typically starts by obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree, followed by four years of medical school and a five-year residency in general surgery overseen by the American Board of Surgery. After that, surgeons undergo additional training in plastic surgery through a one to three-year fellowship, gaining experience in a range of plastic surgery procedures.

Aspiring surgeons must also obtain a license to practice medicine in their state and pass the American Board of Plastic Surgery certification exam. Continuing education is essential to stay up-to-date with new techniques and technologies, with resources provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (3,4,5)

Practicing as a Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgeon

Practicing as an Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgeon is a challenging and rewarding career path. These surgeons specialize in improving the appearance and function of various parts of the body through surgical and non-surgical interventions. They help patients achieve their desired appearance and enhance their self-confidence by correcting defects or abnormalities resulting from injury, disease, or congenital conditions.

These surgeons use a variety of techniques and tools to perform their procedures, including minimally invasive procedures, such as injectables and fillers, to more complex surgeries, such as facelifts, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty. They also use advanced technologies, such as 3D imaging and virtual reality, to assist in planning and performing surgeries with greater precision and accuracy.

Working as an aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeon can be demanding, as it requires a high level of skill, expertise, and attention to detail. Surgeons must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong relationships with their patients and provide them with personalized care.

These surgeons play a vital role in helping patients achieve their aesthetic and functional goals and improve their quality of life. With their expertise and dedication to patient care, they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of plastic surgery. (6,7)

Procedures Performed

Aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeries are performed for a variety of reasons, including improving the appearance of the body, correcting physical deformities or abnormalities, and addressing medical conditions or injuries. Some of the most common procedures in this field include:

• Breast augmentation: It includes the beautification of the size and shape of the breasts with various breast prostheses using implants or fat transfer. The operation usually takes between 40 minutes and 2 hours.
• Facelift: A facelift is a surgical procedure that helps to reduce the signs of aging in the face and neck, such as wrinkles and sagging skin. The operation usually takes 3 hours, it can be shorter or longer, such as 2-4 hours, depending on the time needed.
• Rhinoplasty: Also known as a nose job, this surgery involves altering the shape and size of the nose for aesthetic or functional reasons. Additionally, the available deviations of the septum can be corrected. The duration generally takes 1-3 hours.
• Liposuction: Liposuction, also known as fat removal, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks. The operation usually takes 1-2 hours, rarely 3 hours.
• Tummy tuck: Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that involves removing excess fat and skin from the abdominal area. The repositioned contours are then covered by the skin to create a smoother and firmer appearance of the abdomen. The main aim of this surgery is to enhance the overall shape and aesthetic appeal of the stomach region.
• Breast reconstruction: This procedure involves rebuilding the breast after a mastectomy or other breast surgery. After undergoing implant reconstruction or flap reconstruction, individuals can anticipate spending multiple days in the hospital. It is possible that multiple surgeries will be required to completely reconstruct the breast(s).
• Burn reconstruction: This involves reconstructing the skin and underlying tissue after a burn injury. Burn surgery typically occurs in two stages. The first stage is acute burn surgery, which is the immediate treatment provided after the burn occurs. The second stage, which is reconstructive burn surgery, is conducted after the burn wounds have healed.
• Gender confirmation surgery: Gender confirmation surgery is performed to help individuals transition from one gender to another, and may include procedures such as breast augmentation or reduction, facial feminization or masculinization, or genital reconstruction.

These are just a few examples of the many aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeries that are performed by qualified surgeons around the world. The specific procedure chosen will depend on the individual's needs, goals, and medical history. (8)