Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Surgery

Both plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery are designed to improve the appearance of a person. This can be done through lifts, tucks, reshaping and so on. The correct usage of the terms, however, is dependent upon the underlying reason for the surgical procedure.

Plastic surgery is an elective surgery. In its most basic form, plastic surgery takes a normal part of the body and improves it in a manner desired by the patient. Common plastic surgery procedures include liposuction, breast enhancement or reduction, nose reshaping, reshaping of the abdomen and the well-known facelift. All of these surgeries are based purely on a voluntary desire to improve one’s appearance.

Reconstructive surgery is often elective, but can also be medically necessary. Reconstructive surgery differs from plastic surgery in one significant way. It is focused on making improvements to a damaged or abnormal part of the body. For example, a person may suffer damage from trauma or disease that leaves a part of the body looking abnormal and functionally deficient, such as breaking facial bones in an automobile accident. Reconstructive surgery will be undertaken to repair the facial structure so that it both performs and appears normally. While appearance is important, most reconstructive surgery focuses on functionality first.

The differences between plastic and reconstructive surgery often blur. Breast enhancement or reduction surgery is a form of plastic surgery. Repairing breasts after the all too common complications of breast cancer is considered reconstructive surgery. Repairing the septum of the nose is considered reconstructive surgery, but simply reshaping the nose is considered plastic surgery. This blurred line is repeated in other areas as well.

Ultimately, the dividing line between reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery is mostly an academic debate or vary obvious given specific circumstances. Regardless, it is important to understand that there is a distinction.

CosmeticSurgeryService.com is here to help answer any addition cosmetic surgery questions that you may have. The call is free and so is the advice. So give us a call today.

With your heart set on cosmetic surgery, you will want to do a little bit of research first. This research can help you determine how much your cosmetic surgery will cost. By browsing our website, you can easily find a few sample rates for common procedures, such as surgical facelifts and liposuction. You can examine these rates, but please know that your local cosmetic surgeons or local cosmetic surgery centers may charge different rates. Our example costs for plastic surgery only offer a broad idea of how much the procedures may cost. Speaking of which, call us for assistance. Ask about their rates or see if you should first schedule a consultation appointment

One of the next things that you will want to do is examine your health insurance plan. What coverage are you provided with? Most often, you will find that cosmetic surgery is not covered by a traditional health insurance plan, but you should still look. Why? Because there are some exceptions. For example, some health insurance providers have been known to cover the cost of mole removals and breast reduction surgery.

If your health insurance does not cover the cosmetic surgery procedure you would like to undergo or if you are without health insurance, you can inquire about financing. Although financing options do sometimes exist, they are usually based upon approval. You may also have your credit checked first to make sure that you have a history of making good on your payments. Although it is important for you to be able to afford the cost of cosmetic surgery, especially if you feel like you do not have any other treatment options, it is important to not choose a surgeon or surgical center just based on their availability of a financing options alone. That’s why we have done most of the work for you. By searching CosmeticSurgeryService.com, you will only find qualified surgeons. These surgeons are Board Certified and some may have payment plans. Call for assistance.

Another option that you have, when looking to pay for your cosmetic surgery, is to pay with a credit card. This is a great approach to take, but be sure to use your best judgment and proceed with caution. Are you good about paying your bills on time? If you are not, the cost of your surgery may significantly increase with late fees. Interest rates may also have an impact on the overall cost as well.

In all honesty, the best method of payment that you can choose is that of checks or debit cards. This is often the best approach for many. Both checks and debit cards are easy and safe to use and most cosmetic surgeons and cosmetic surgery centers do accept them. As for why checks and debit cards are often the best method of payment, it is because you don’t have to carry around large amounts of cash with you. There is a good chance that your surgery will cost a thousand dollars or more.

Now that you know just a few of the many ways that you can go about paying for your cosmetic surgery, you may be ready to move forward. As an important reminder, if you are unable to afford the cost of surgery, examine surgeons and surgical centers that will work to create a payment plan with you, but also make sure that they have a good record with producing quality results and happy patients.

The skin naturally begins to wrinkle and sag as a result of age, sun exposure, and genetics. Children and young adults have smooth, round faces due to evenly distributed tissues in facial contours. Over time, the skin sags and folds. This is particularly occurs around the chin, jaw line, and neck. Not only does a facelift improve facial appearance but also has a dramatic effect on the chin and neck, enhancing the patient’s profile. Though as dramatic as the end results are, unlike several other types of cosmetic surgery, a facelift is not a simple procedure, and requires anywhere from one to two weeks of rest to make a full recovery.

This is a procedure that does actually demand some work from the patient beforehand. Before going in, avoid drugs that contain aspirin for several weeks prior to surgery to minimize excess bleeding. You may be required to take antibiotics to prevent infection. Depending on the doctor, you may be instructed to shampoo your hair the night before surgery.

For the procedure the surgeon will make incisions inside the hairline at the temple, then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending at the scalp area. Excess skin is removed and sagging muscles and connective tissues are tightened. In some cases, fatty deposits may be removed from beneath the chin and neck. Incisions are closed with small sutures. The surgery may take up to 5 hours, depending on how many other facial procedures are being done in conjunction with the facelift.

There will be a lot of swelling afterwords, but after about two weeks the patient should notice a steady recovery beginning. Scarring fades quickly. In the time following surgery the patient should avoid the sun for several weeks after surgery. The main thing to remember is that the healing process takes time. It is gradual, and so the final results may not be noticeable for even half a year. Keep patient, and soon enough the positive results will become clear.

As nice as it is to hear that plastic surgery is an option that you can choose, you may be unsure if it is the right decision. With the costs and the risks, many individuals wonder if the impact that plastic surgery will have on their life is really worth it. For you to make a decision, you should first review a few of the many ways that plastic surgery can improve your life.

For starters, it is important to examine your self-confidence and self-esteem. If you have an imperfection on your body that is easily visible to others, like unwanted body hair that just won’t stay away, your self-confidence may be poor. Other than that unwanted hair, you may feel beautiful and attractive. Once the problem is taken care of you, you are likely to notice an improvement in your self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. For many individuals, this is more than worth the costs of plastic surgery.

Along with an improvement in self-confidence and an improvement in self-esteem comes the ability to socialize better. Those with noticeable body or skin imperfections, even small, often hide themselves from others out of fear of being embarrassed or poorly judged. The good news is that if you use plastic surgery to seek treatment, you don’t have to hide or live in fear of embarrassment any longer. If you are currently single, you may enjoy spending more time with your friends or even approaching others for dates!

Even if you are not single, but married, there is still a lot that plastic surgery can do for you. There comes a point in just about every marriage where husbands and wives reach a comfort zone. One of the first things to go is appearance. plastic surgery can help to make your spouse fall in love with you all over again, like it was when you first met. Also, the increase in self-worth and self-confidence, which was touched on above, may do wonders for your marriage, namely where sex and communication is involved.

plastic surgery, depending on what type of procedure you are looking to undergo, may also give you an advantage in the working world. Do you have poor teeth? Could you use a visit to a cosmetic dentist? Veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants, and gum lifts are common cosmetic procedures that will give you a happy, healthy, and professional smile. While we should be judged on our qualifications in the workplace, you may be surprised to learn just how big of an impact appearance does have.

As you can see, there are a number of different ways that undergoing plastic surgery can help to improve your life. If you are ready to get started, contact one of your local cosmetic surgeons or surgery centers today to schedule a consultation appointment. During this appointment, your physician can work with you to determine if you are an ideal candidate for plastic surgery, as well discuss your procedural options.

Like all other forms of cosmetic surgery, there are risks involved with eyelid surgery. The most common side effects include blurred vision for a few days and temporary swelling. However, the real dangers come with the risk of complications during the surgery with the anesthesia or after the surgery with infection. While major problems are rare, you should still talk to your cosmetic surgeon to make sure that you understand these risks before you choose to have this surgery preformed.

Before your surgery, you will have at least one or two consultations with the doctor. He or she will discuss with you how the surgery will work and what results you can expect. In most cases, you will be able to see a digitally enhanced picture of yourself after the surgery so that you and your doctor can be on the same page as to what you want. Before the surgery, you will also be given direction about what you can eat and drink the day of your surgery, and you should also be prepared with a driver to take you home after the surgery and to help you for a few days while your vision may still be blurry.

The first step of your surgery is to receive anesthesia, and you and your doctor can choose whether to have local or general. The surgery itself will most likely be done in the doctor’s surgical suite, but you can also have it done at a hospital if you’d like. It will take one to four hours, depending on your specific needs. The cosmetic surgeon will start by making tiny cuts around your eyes to separate the skin for the fat underneath. Excess substance will be removed and the incisions will then be carefully closed. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore after wards, but in a few days, you should feel a lot better and the results are fantastic.

There are a number of different ways to go about this procedure. First, with a complete abdominoplasty, the doctor makes an incision completely across the lower abdomen, cuts around the navel, and detaches the skin for the abdominal wall. Your muscles are then tightened and excess skin is removed. A new hole is cute for the navel, and your skin is basically stitched back in place to heal. This can turn into an extended abdominoplasty, which is when the same procedure is done and then repeated on the thighs or back.

You can also combine abdominoplasty with liposuction, which removes fatty deposits in the body. This is very common. If you’ve already lost the weight, another choice is a partial abdominoplasty, which removes the excess apron of skin you have from when you were larger.

Before deciding to go with this procedure, realize that recover takes anywhere from two to four weeks, and much of that time you should not go in to work. You should also not do any kind of exercising or heavily lifting until you are healed, and smoking is not advised, because it creates a high risk for complications. Also, you should consider the high cost of tummy tucks. In the United States, partial procedures start at about $4,000, with full procedures costing even more. This does not take into account the prescriptions and follow up care you may need. The cost rises as you near larger cities like Los Angeles and New York, and if you want a surgeon at the head of this field, you can pay as much as $20,000 for this kind of a procedure. It’s not recommended for everyone, but you may be able to get some real results. If you are interested in an abdominoplasty, talk to a health care provider today.

Call us today for a free referral to a board certified plastic surgeon at 1-866-367-9310 or click on find a plastic surgeon.

Since the saline implant is so small when it is inserted, the incision can in turn be quite small. This tiny incision leaves a much smaller scar. The silicone implant is a cover or envelope containing a silicone substance. This implant requires a fairly larger incision for placement.

In the United States of America you will find that there are many restrictions for silicone implants. You will need to know these restrictions and you may also want to consider how common they are for American surgeries. Saline implants can produce quality results, but you will also find that there are more cosmetic issues to consider. If you have thin tissue you may end up having a wrinkling or ripple in the breast area.

Rippling and wrinkling of the implant may be seen in some cases. This can sometimes be easily noticed by others by either sight or touch. Women with more breast tissue do not generally have this issue. It is because of this reason that most board certified surgeons prefer the silicone breast implant for post-mastectomy reconstruction.

When it comes to using breast implants, you may find that silicone implants are more often used outside of the US than Saline is. You will need to consider that they also appear more realistic in appearance and in touch. Keeping in mind that that there are many health concerns to have when it comes to a leaking silicone implants. This can cause a reason for concern and also justify doing some of your own research, because you don’t want to put yourself at serious risk.

One of the things we do here at Cosmetic Surgery Service, is we do much of the research for you. we’ve been referring clients to board certified plastic surgeons since 1988 now and some of the surgeons we refer have been with us this entire time. If you are looking for a qualified surgeon that is closest to you, then please search our directory of qualified plastic surgeons or call us toll free now at 1 (866) 367-9310

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You’ve seen it advertised in newspapers, featured on television programs, apparent in the faces of celebrities — cosmetic surgery. It’s guaranteed to shave decades off your appearance, right? In some cases, maybe. Cosmetic surgery offers the potential to improve many areas of the body. But as with any surgery, cosmetic surgery also involves certain risks and limitations.

Reshaping your body

Cosmetic surgery, also referred to as plastic surgery, aims to change your appearance by altering parts of your body that function normally but whose appearance makes you unhappy. This differs from reconstructive surgery, which can improve the appearance and function of body parts affected by congenital defects, injuries and diseases such as cancer.

Cosmetic surgery offers choices for making changes in your physical appearance. It reshapes normal body structures, changes appearance and, often, improves self-esteem.

If you’re dissatisfied with your appearance, you may be interested in cosmetic surgery not only to look better, but also to feel better. Despite possible risks, and though each person’s experience is unique, both improvements may be likely after cosmetic surgery.

No studies have conclusively proved that most people can expect to enjoy dramatic improvements in their psychological well-being, however. If you’re struggling with depression, for example, cosmetic surgery is unlikely to relieve it.

Factors to consider

When deciding for or against cosmetic surgery, consider the following:

• Your expectations. Anticipate improvement, not perfection. If you expect cosmetic surgery to turn you into a movie star, you’re bound to be disappointed. Also don’t count on surgery to save a rocky relationship, gain a promotion or improve your social life.

  If you’re in the middle of a very stressful life circumstance, such as a divorce, job loss, death of a loved one or an uncontrolled mental illness, you may want to postpone cosmetic surgery. All of these situations may increase the possibility that you won’t be satisfied with the final results.

• Time and expense. Cosmetic surgery isn’t covered by most health insurance. The costs vary depending on the procedure performed and may range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The procedures and your recovery also take time. This varies depending on the procedure. Returning to work may take from one day to several weeks.
• Potential risks. You must be comfortable with the fact that cosmetic surgery, like any surgery, can be a risk to your health and that the results may not be what you anticipate.
• Physical and psychological changes. Understand the physical effects that may be part of the healing time as well as how the surgery may affect aspects of your personal and professional life.

Possible risks and complications

The closer you work with your surgeon to establish specific, measurable and achievable goals before surgery, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the results. Still, dissatisfaction with results always remains a possibility.

Do a reality check
How pleased you will be depends on a number of factors. These include:

• Your expectations
• The extent and type of surgery
• The skill of your surgeon
• Your own body’s ability to heal.

Physical risks
Beyond the risk of dissatisfaction, all the usual surgical risks apply. If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, lung disease or obesity, you have a higher risk of developing such complications as pneumonia, stroke, heart attack, and blood clots in the legs or lungs.

Other possible surgical complications include:

• An accumulation of clear fluid beneath the incision (seroma), which may need to be drained
• A collection of blood beneath the closed incision (hematoma), which may have to be removed
• Skin breakdown — a separation from healthy skin caused by poor blood circulation, particularly if you smoke
• Bleeding requiring a transfusion
• Infection at the site of surgery, which may require additional surgery and lead to bigger scars

You’re more likely to have a smooth recovery if you’re in good overall health, are cared for by a qualified surgeon, and practice proper self-care after surgery by carefully following your doctor’s instructions.

Finding a qualified cosmetic surgeon

Your cosmetic surgeon should have experience doing procedures similar to the one you’re having. It’s important that your procedure or surgery is done in a setting where there is access to a team of qualified health care professionals.

To find a qualified cosmetic surgeon:

• Look for the gold standard in certifications. You’re more likely to have a satisfactory outcome if your surgeon is experienced in the procedure and has been certified in his or her specialty by an appropriate board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

  For more-involved procedures such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), consider a surgeon who has hospital privileges to perform that procedure. For procedures requiring general anesthesia, be sure that the operating facility has been accredited by a national- or state-recognized accrediting agency such as the Joint Commission, is certified to participate in the Medicare program under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act or is licensed by the state in which the facility is located.

• Beware of misleading certifications. Just because a doctor is “board certified” doesn’t mean he or she has had sufficient training in cosmetic surgery. Certification could come from an unrecognized, self-designated board that requires little more than an application fee.
• Know that not all referrals are equal. If you call a hospital to ask for a recommendation, you might be referred to the next cosmetic surgeon on the receptionist’s revolving list. He or she may not be best qualified to operate on you. Instead seek recommendations from people you trust, such as your family doctor or a friend who has had a successful procedure.

Meeting your surgeon

One of the best ways to help you decide if cosmetic surgery is right for you is to meet with a cosmetic surgeon. During this initial consultation, you discuss your desires and expectations and your doctor evaluates the part of your body you want treated. You also discuss any medical conditions that could affect the outcome of the procedure — such as diabetes or blood-clotting problems — and review the medications you take.

Questions to ask
Before choosing a surgeon, ask the following questions:

• Are there treatments other than surgery that might work just as well or better for me?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure? Why or why not?
• How many times has the surgeon performed similar procedures, and what were the results?
• Can the desired effect be accomplished in one procedure, or are multiple procedures anticipated?
• What are the surgical options and the pros and cons for each?
• What type of anesthetic will be used, and how will it affect me?
• Will I be hospitalized and, if so, for how long?
• What results can I expect?
• What are the possible complications?
• How will my progress be monitored after surgery? What follow-up care will I receive?
• How often is “touch-up” surgery needed, and is it covered in the cost estimate?

After your visit with your cosmetic surgeon, you may have mixed feelings. Feelings of excitement and anxiety are normal. Understanding what is involved and having realistic expectations about what can be accomplished are two ways to reduce your anxiety.

Even if you’ve done your homework and found a surgeon you like — at a price you can afford — make sure you feel absolutely comfortable with and committed to your choices. In the end, it’s your decision and yours alone.

We want you to find the right doctor for your needs when you do finally decide to have cosmetic surgery. That’s why we encourage you to see our referral list of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.