Plastic Surgery -The Whats, Whys, and Hows

There are many reasons you may want or need to have plastic surgery. There are many societal stigmas associated with having work done, mostly due to the Hollywood factor. However, cosmetic procedures are often very practical and can make a big difference in a person's quality of life.

When the topic of plastic surgery comes up, the first thing to come to most people's minds are Hollywood celebrities modifying their appearances. The general perception of people who have cosmetic work done is that they are either overly self conscious or just outright vain, spending thousands of dollars to fix problems with their appearances that may or may not actually exist. While there certainly are cases of people, especially celebrities, who have procedures done regularly for such reasons, there other more practical purposes for plastic surgery as well.

Plastic surgery is an often misunderstood profession. Many people perceive these surgeons as people who profit from other people's self esteem issues. People also take the word “plastic” in the term overly literally, assuming that people are making themselves synthetic when they have work done. Vanity work is fairly common, but in many cases it is used for reconstructive purposes. The most common source of materials for cosmetic work is a skin or tissue graft, which is a process of transferring living tissue for use elsewhere. Grafts can come from the same individual, another individual, or in some cases a different species altogether.

Many of the so-called “vanity” surgeries that are commonly used can have practical applications. For example, rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, can be used to repair damage suffered in a car accident. Breast augmentation is often used to help women with breast cancer gain some sense of normalcy after having a mastectomy. Breast reduction is also common among heavy chested women who suffer from back or shoulder pain. In many cases, especially those involving accidents, insurance companies will pay for cosmetic work to be done. Reconstructive procedures are usually covered in comprehensive health insurance plans. Check your policy to see if yours qualifies.

Many other types of procedures are used specifically for practical applications. Reconstructive surgery is a prominent example. These types of procedures are commonly used on accident victims, cancer patients, people ravaged by disease, people with birth defects or deformities, and people suffering from other types congenital conditions. In many cases the work being done is more functional than cosmetic. For example, a patient with a broken nose may require work not only to look normal but also to avoid difficulty breathing. Burn victims often require contracture surgery to prevent the skin around the burn from tightening, which can restrict the movement of the burned area.

If you have a need or desire for cosmetic work, you should consult a surgeon as soon as possible. He will discuss the procedures, results, and risks involved so that you can make an informed decision. If you are dealing with an accident situation, you will likely need to consult with both your doctor and your insurance company. In fact, it is a good idea to understand what types of procedures your insurance policy will cover before a need arises. There are many situations and uses for cosmetic surgery, so you never know when the need may arise.

Article Tags: Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Work

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR