What Is Cosmetic Surgery?
If you are curious about the technical differences between common cosmetic surgery terms, or you are not entirely certain what cosmetic surgery means, you have come to the right place. Patients from all over the world come to Oxnard, California to receive plastic surgery from our Board-Certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Yuly Gorodisky, DO. Our doctor is a true plastic surgeon certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, so our center is a trusted source of cosmetic surgery knowledge.
As far as what cosmetic surgery is at its core, it is a unique kind of medicine that focuses on enhancing an individual’s appearance through specialized surgical and medical practices. These surgeries are highly customizable and can be performed to address a wide range of perceived problem areas, from the neck to the face and body. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 17.7 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2018, and the number has only increased since then. Some of the most common types of cosmetic surgeries include:
- Breast augmentation
- Dermabrasion
- Lower body lift
- Collagen injections
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Laser treatment for leg veins
- Nose reshaping
- Thigh lift
- Tummy tuck
- Upper arm lift
- Botox injections
- Cellulite treatment
- Lip augmentation
- Liposuction
- Chemical peel
- Vaginal rejuvenation
- Eyelid lift
- Facelift
- Forehead lift
- Breast implant removals
- Buttocks lift
- Chin, cheek, or jaw reshaping
- Hair replacement or transplantation
Why Is Cosmetic Surgery Done?
The purpose of cosmetic surgery is to create long-lasting changes to an individual’s appearance. These changes can be either dramatic or subtle. In order to be a good candidate for cosmetic surgery, it is important that the patient has carefully considered their decision. Many types of cosmetic surgeries are permanent, so it is equally as important to seek the help of a doctor who has proven to deliver consistent patient satisfaction, like Dr. Yuly Gorodisky, DO. Patients should also understand how the procedure could affect them and the lifestyle changes that might come along with it.
On the other hand, cosmetic surgery often inspires patients to move forward with their lives in a healthier way in order to maintain the changes. This is true in the ways patients both prepare and recover from surgeries. For example, many surgeons will recommend quitting smoking or using nicotine before a surgery. This is because smoking before surgery increases your risk of having breathing problems during the surgery. The smoke isn’t the only problem, though. Nicotine can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications and interfere with their intended function. In terms of recovery, many patients form healthier habits of their own volition after the surgery as well. Many patients prepare for their surgeries by eating healthier, and this preparation makes the effort it takes to maintain their results that much easier.
What Is Reconstructive Surgery?
Similar to cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery can be used to enhance one's appearance, but it is typically for different reasons. One key similarly between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is that the surgeon works towards the goal of optimizing the cosmetic appearance with both surgeries. Furthermore, both types of surgery involve open communication about the desired end result. It is important for the surgeon to gain a solid understanding of the client’s expectations and for the client and surgeon to be on the same page. The main difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is that reconstructive surgery is typically used to correct conditions that have created an abnormal change in body shape or appearance or to repair damaged tissue. Some of the most common types of reconstructive surgeries include:
- Breast reconstruction
- Breast reduction
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Breast implant removal
- Surgical correction of congenital anomalies
- Gender confirmation surgeries
- Hand surgery
- Orthognathic surgery (jaw straightening)
- Septoplasty
- Tissue expansion
- Microsurgery
- Tissue expansion
- Craniosynostosis surgery
- Scar revision
- Congenital nevi surgery
- Skin cancer removal surgery
How Is Reconstructive Surgery Done?
Oftentimes, reconstructive surgery uses tissue from one area of the body to repair another area. The goal of this is to repair parts of the body that were affected by born defects, developed defects, or injury-related defects. Breaking down the meaning of the word “reconstructive” can help us understand how reconstructive surgery is done. The word simply means to rebuild something. If the surgeon is performing a fairly simple reconstruction, like a nipple and areola procedure, that would be considered an outpatient procedure. More complex procedures might be considered inpatient procedures and might require you to stay at the hospital. The length of time that a reconstructive surgery takes depends on the specific surgery at hand. Some procedures might take a few hours, and others might only take one hour. No matter what kind of procedure you are having done, you can rest assured that you are in skilled hands who truly care at West Coast Plastic Surgery Center.
West Coast Plastic Surgery Center offers a range of plastic procedures that can address both cosmetic and reconstructive concerns. Give us a call at (805) 978-8545 or contact us online to find out how we can help you.