The profession of a plastic surgeon is often associated with the act of changing certain parts of the body to make them look more attractive. In fact, this branch of general surgery has a broader scope, even including reconstructive functions to repair damaged body shape.
Plastic surgery itself actually includes "reconstructive plastic surgery" and "aesthetic surgery". Although they look similar, they represent different fields.
What is reconstructive surgery?
Reconstructive surgery is an action to repair injuries and deformities resulting from trauma or congenital abnormalities, with the aim of returning the appearance and function of the body to look as natural or normal as possible. Patient conditions that require this action vary, some of which are:
- Congenital defects, such as cleft lip/palate, syndactyly, polydactyly, etc.
- Burns
- Post-medical conditions such as in patients with head, neck, breast or skin cancer
- Scars/trauma that hinder natural movement, for example: burn scars that cause contractures.
- Severe injury due to cuts or tears in the skin
- Facial fractures
- Scars that grow abnormally, causing disfigurement, keloids on the ears/other body areas, etc.
What is Aesthetic Surgery?
Meanwhile, aesthetic surgical procedures are actions to improve a previously normal physical appearance, so that it is more ideal/more similar to the wishes of each patient. This operation changes the appearance of body parts such as the face and hands using techniques:
- Blepharoplasty, namely eyelid surgery.
- Brow lift
- Facelift
- Rhinoplasty, nose surgery.
- Chin surgery.
- Breast enlargement
- Breast reduction
- Liposuction
- Tummy reduction surgery
- Scar removal
- Etc.
But what is the purpose of plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery aims to improve/restore function and appearance so that it looks better/beautiful. For example, a person may want to undergo plastic surgery to help treat severe burns, breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, or a birth defect. The actions taken are usually recommendations from specialist doctors for therapy of a person's condition.
Meanwhile, aesthetic surgery is more optional because the patient's initial condition is actually a normal condition. In this procedure, a person chooses to undergo the procedure based on personal desire.
7 surprising benefits of plastic surgery
The benefits of plastic surgery are extraordinary and not yet known to many people. Some of the benefits of plastic surgery are:
- Improve function
In certain cases, for example ear keloids, they will disturb your appearance and feel heavy, so surgery and good treatment will eliminate and prevent the condition from recurring. Patients with abnormal lip conditions will have difficulty speaking or even chewing; Improving the shape will help improve its function. In post-traumatic cases, for example the face, plastic surgery can help improve the form and function so that it resembles the condition before the accident.
- Supports mental health
Plastic surgery is one way to increase happiness and increase patient self-confidence so that it can help patients socialize back into their social circle.
- Pain Management
Several plastic surgery procedures are performed to reduce pain. This only applies to certain cases where the pain is caused by a deformity that may be corrected with plastic surgery.
- Relieves breathing
Nose surgery or rhinoplasty performed by the patient has the function of correcting a distorted nose shape. In some cases of deformity, it can be a way to improve breathing and oxygen flow for the patient.
- Reduces Skin Irritation
For patients who experience weight loss or postpartum, quite a few have excess skin. This skin causes rashes, infections and skin irritation. Therefore, patients can undergo surgery to remove the excess skin. With reduced folding and rubbing areas, irritation is also reduced.
- Weight loss
Although the best weight loss is with exercise and good nutrition, one of the benefits of plastic surgery is weight loss. This can occur when parts are removed surgically in large quantities. For example: breast reduction, skin extension, liposuction; able to help patients lose several pounds. Of course this will change a person's appearance and can make them feel better and more attractive.
- Improved vision
Sagging facial skin or eyelids will interfere with a person's vision. To correct vision problems caused by loose skin, patients can undergo several procedures such as Blepharoplasty. Meanwhile, in cases of insufficient eye opening due to weak eyelid muscles, this can also be corrected at the same time as blepharoplasty surgery. So, plastic surgery can be useful to help overcome vision problems due to certain conditions.
Immediately consult your health condition before undergoing plastic surgery. Choose a hospital and specialist doctor in plastic surgery - reconstruction and aesthetics who is certified, such as Grha Kedoya Hospital. So that you get proper & fast care and treatment.
Article written by dr. Caroline Dewi, Sp.BPRE (Plastic Surgeon Specialist - Reconstructive and Aesthetics Grha Kedoya Hospital).