Reconstructive Plastic Surgery: Types of Surgeries

Plastic surgery is a growing field in the medical industry, but many people confuse it with cosmetic surgery. Although, at times, these terms can be used synonymously, cosmetic surgery is more commonly thought of as elective surgery, something someone gets purely for aesthetic reasons. There are many surgeries that are medical necessities. Here are a few examples of plastic surgeons making a difference in peoples lives through reconstructive surgery, not just to make them feel more confident in their bodies but so they can lead more normal lives.

Birth Defects:
Many birth defects can be reversed through surgical procedures such as cleft palates or ear deformities. When a child is born with a defect, it is hard for them to function normally. If their ear is affected, their hearing is affected. When they have a deformity of the mouth, it is hard for them to eat or communicate clearly through speech. When they undergo reconstructive plastic surgery, they can live their lives as normal children, and as normal adults.

Rhinoplasty:
Commonly rhinoplasty is thought of as a cosmetic procedure but its definition is the reshaping of the nose. In some cases this is done out of medical necessity. When a person is dealing with a malformation of the nose, this can cause loss of their sense of smell or problems with their sinuses. Rhinoplasty can be an important plastic surgery procedure to undergo. Whether it is seriously malformed and the person feels socially stigmatized or the nose looks normal but is creating medical complications due to its internal structure, this is a viable surgical procedure for medical reasons.

Breast Reduction:
While many people pair breast augmentation to plastic surgery, the opposite is a more medically necessary procedure. Breast reduction is important for women who have developed much larger breasts. This can cause a full range of medical problems. Most commonly back pain is the number one reason for a reduction. When you have large breasts they carry a lot of weight that puts pressure on the overall body. To get rid of chronic back pain, a breast reduction surgery can save you years of pain and unnecessary wear on your body as a whole.

Not all procedures are voluntary. There are a lot of people who benefit from the expertise of plastic surgeons. Not only do they help correct genetic deformities and abnormalities but if you've been in an accident, they can also correct your face and parts of the body to bring you back to a sense of feeling normal in a body that functions the way it should.

Now you know the difference between the terms. When someone speaks about considering corrective surgery, learn to be sensitive to what they're really looking for. Cosmetic and reconstructive alike are choices for people to make themselves. And surgery is still surgery. Be a supportive part of their personal transformation.