Plastic surgery has often been associated with the dramatic changes that celebrities undergo or photos from glossy magazines. Plastic surgery involves much more that cosmetic enhancement. This book includes personal stories of healing and growth as well as medical necessity, learn more.

Plastic surgery is an art and science that involves the alteration or reconstruction of human body parts. Modern technology has enabled plastic surgery to advance tremendously. It is an ancient tradition, dating back many thousands of year. This discipline is made up of two categories, reconstructive (which aims to restore function and appearance following an injury or a disease), and aesthetic (or cosmetic) surgery.

In reconstructive surgeries, aesthetics is only one aspect. Functionality also plays a role. For example, after serious burns a surgeon could perform skin transplants to reduce complications and improve mobility. Breast reconstruction can be a major factor in the recovery process of cancer patients.

Also included in aesthetic surgery are procedures such as liposuction, facelifts or rhinoplasty. As people change their body for self-esteem or societal reasons, the emphasis shifts.

Esoteric stories often accompany plastic surgery. Jane (an alias) had excessive skin on her body after losing a lot of weight. The gym couldn’t tighten the skin. She wasn’t looking to be perfect, just rid herself of the self-consciousness and anxiety that was affecting her progress.

A consultation can be triggered by a number of misconceptions. Most people think that the procedures are fast and safe. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved, including infection and complications caused by anesthesia. Choose a plastic surgery specialist who is both technically skilled and understands the fears and motives of his or her patients.

Good surgeons are also counselors from the moment they shake hands. A good surgeon sets realistic goals. The doctor is honest and helps patients to understand the real results rather than seeing perfection on magazine covers or digital filters.

This area continues to be a frontier for innovation. With microsurgery, doctors can transfer tissue from one area of the body to another with more precision. The use of 3D printers for complex surgery, such as skull reconstruction, is also being studied.

The ethical aspects of the work a surgeon does are just as important. As social media grows, surgeons are under more pressure to achieve a ‘idealized body and facial feature’. It is important that they tread lightly in the ethical waters. They should ensure decisions made are not based solely on commercial gains, but rather patient care.

Ethics extends to how surgeons communicate. A surgeon’s job is to strike the right balance between optimism and truthfulness, explaining how things can be improved without overstepping. Each word must be weighed in relation to the emotional impact.

The humor in this hospital is always welcome. Humor doesn’t diminish patient concerns. It does, however, provide warmth and comfort in a cold hospital. Imagine someone making a joke about not turning you into a Hollywood star, while promising that they would do everything possible to keep your humor out of anesthesia.