Reconstructive Surgery vs. Cosmetic Surgery

In order to decide if you should consider vaginoplasty or labiaplasty, it’s important to understand the difference between reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery.

Reconstructive surgery improves the function of a body part, while cosmetic surgery changes the aesthetics of essentially normal anatomy. You can think of it like a nose job: a surgeon can restructure the interior nasal cavities to help you breathe better or reshape the nose, just for the sake of appearances.

It's a critical distinction, because the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists evaluates surgeries and outcomes to fix functional problems, such as urinary incontinence. But ACOG remains skeptical and cautious about vaginal surgery due to its risks and lack of scientific data on safety and effectiveness.

Some vaginoplasty procedures, for instance, were originally developed as reconstructive surgeries to repair birth defects when the vagina was malformed, too short, or absent (such as in vaginal agensis), so that a girl could grow up to have normal urination, menstruation, and intercourse.

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Plastic Surgery Sub-specialties

Plastic surgery is a broad field, and may be subdivided further. Plastic surgery training and approval by the American Board of Plastic Surgery includes mastery of the following as well:

Burnsurgery generally takes place in two phases. Acute burn surgery is the treatment immediately after a burn. Reconstructive burn surgery takes place after the burn wounds have healed. Reconstructive surgery generally involves plastic surgery.

Cosmetic

Aesthetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons use cosmetic surgical principles in all reconstructive surgical procedures as well as isolated operations to improve overall appearance.

Craniofacial

Craniofacial surgery is divided into pediatric and adult craniofacial surgery. Pediatric craniofacial surgery mostly revolves around the treatment of congenital anomalies of the craniofacial skeleton and soft tissues, such as cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, and pediatric fractures. Adult craniofacial surgery deals mostly with fractures and secondary surgeries (such as orbital reconstruction) along with orthognathic surgery. Craniofacial surgery is an important part of all plastic surgery training programs, further training and subspecialisation is obtained via a craniofacial fellowship.

Hand

Hand surgery is concerned with acute injuries and chronic diseases of the hand and wrist, correction of congenital malformations of the upper extremities, and peripheral nerve problems (such as brachial plexus injuries or carpal tunnel syndrome). Hand surgery is an important part of training in plastic surgery, as well as microsurgery, which is necessary to replant an amputated extremity. The Hand surgery field is also practiced by orthopedic surgeons and general surgeons (see Hand surgeon). Scar tissue formation after surgery can be problematic on the delicate hand, causing loss of dexterity and digit function if severe enough.

Micro

Microsurgery is generally concerned with the reconstruction of missing tissues by transferring a piece of tissue to the reconstruction site and reconnecting blood vessels. Popular subspecialty areas are breast reconstruction, head and neck reconstruction, hand surgery/replantation, and brachial plexus surgery.

Pediatric

Children often face medical issues very different from the experiences of an adult patient. Many birth defects or syndromes present at birth are best treated in childhood, and pediatric plastic surgeons specialize in treating these conditions in children. Conditions commonly treated by pediatric plastic surgeons include craniofacial anomalies, cleft lip and palate and congenital hand deformities.

Cosmetic plastic surgery

Ginecomastia

Gynecomastia is the excessive and abnormal development of breasts in men, and makes its appearance is similar to a female breast. Currently, the gynecomastia is present in 40% of adults and 65% of adolescents, although only a small percentage take plastic surgery.

Gynecomastia is usually caused by hormonal changes, develops in adolescence, and often disappears after a while, but it is recommended by plastic surgery to correct it if it disappears within a year.

Gynecomastia cosmetic surgery is relatively simple and, although, as with any plastic surgery, there is some risk of complications or side effects, they are rare.

Peeling

 The peeling, also known as skin exfoliation, is a plastic surgery that involves removing the top layers of skin, which are naturally replaced by new cells, leaving the skin completely rejuvenated, smooth and firm, removing wrinkles, freckles, age spots and scars.

This cosmetic surgery can be performed at different depths and in different ways:

Mechanical peeling or dermabrasion

Using a rotary with a special head, gets polished skin, removing scars, stretch marks or acne scars, leaving it soft and shiny.

Chemical Peeling

In this case, using different acids (glycolic, retinoic, and trichloroacetic Salcito) depending on the desired effect. This type of peel is the most used.

Laser Peel

Using a laser will remove the top layer of skin, diminishing wrinkles (crow's feet, perioral, etc) and leaving skin rejuvenated.

Ultrasonic Peeling

This is the most revolutionary in the plastic surgery and is less aggressive than before, because ultrasound waves are used to stimulate skin regeneration.

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Beauty and Plastic Surgery II

Extreme Plastic Surgery

Shows depicting individuals undergoing With the recent barrage of television extreme plastic surgery with hopes to improve not only their self image, but also their marriages, jobs, and personal relationships, it is important to extract fact from fiction when it comes to extreme plastic surgery. Extreme plastic surgery means undergoing multiple surgical procedures at one time. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, of the population who would consider getting plastic surgery 35% would change one physical feature, 26% two features, 12% three features, and only 9% great than three.

There are some benefits and risks associated with extreme plastic surgery that interested individuals should be made aware of. First and foremost, a good surgeon will always have your personal best interest and well being in mind as you discuss a possible surgical plan. Keeping you safe and healthy, while achieving the desired goals of plastic surgery, should be the number one priority for both patients and surgeons alike.

Some of the risks involved in extreme plastic surgery include complications related to being under general anesthesia for a longer period of time. Both surgery and anesthesia present trauma to the immune system and the body in general. During extreme plastic surgery your body endures a longer length of time under anesthesia and a more involved surgical process. Anesthesia has a strong effect on the cardiovascular system. With extreme plastic surgery, one runs a greater risk of health complications like pulmonary thrombosis, where the blood in the arteries going to the lungs clots. Another potential side effect of the extended anesthesia time required for extreme plastic surgery is that recovery time may also be extended.

There are, however, some benefits to extreme plastic surgery. Modern surgical procedures are getting safer and safer; offering extreme plastic surgery patients a far lower risk associated with multiple procedures. Extreme plastic surgery, or having more than one procedure done at once, means that there is only one anesthesia period and only one recovery time. The costs of having extreme plastic surgery performed may be less than having the desired procedures done individually. Patients of extreme plastic surgery can also achieve a greater enhancement of their physical form and self image when more than one procedure is performed at one time.

Because any plastic surgery puts a strain on your body and immune system, it is important to be as healthy as possible going into your extreme plastic surgery. Getting in shape, eating healthy, and quitting smoking are all things that will help your body during the surgery and make success all the more likely. Being healthy may also make your recovery time shorter. A good plastic surgeon will factor in several different things when deciding if you are a good candidate for extreme plastic surgery including your full medical history, your age, your ethnic background, the goals of your plastic surgery, and more.