All about plastic and cosmetic surgery in Iran
Plastic surgery definition
Plastic surgery is a kind of operation to repair and reconstruct tissues that are damaged or missing. This surgery aims to bring back tissue functionality. The appearance of the tissue is also influential, although it is the second goal of the surgery.
Some people suppose plastic surgeons use plastic in their surgeries. The word “plastic” in plastic surgery comes from the Greek word, plastikē (tekhnē). Plastic refers to “the art of modeling” and reshaping of tissues.
What is plastic surgery used for?
As mentioned before, plastic surgery aims to repair tissues. Plastic surgery can address the following issues:
• Birth defects such as birthmarks, attached fingers, cleft lips, and cleft palate.
• Damaging organs because of the removal of tumors and abnormal cancerous tissues in different areas of the body, especially breast and face.
• Skin damage due to high degree burnings on large areas of the body and other injuries with serious damage.
• Plastic surgery enhances the quality of life and therefore improves a person’s self-confidence.
The different techniques for plastic surgery
The plastic surgeons mainly use these techniques for improving the function:
• Repairing burned skin and tissue
• Skin allografts: In this method, the surgeon removes the skin from the undamaged part of the body and uses it to replace the damaged tissue.
• Skin flap graft: In this method, the blood vessels are repositioned with the skin tissue while part of the flap is attached to the body.
• Skin tissue expansion: The surgeon stretches the tissues around the damaged area so they can grow extra skin that is used for reconstruction of the surrounding damaged tissues.
• Fat allograft and transfer: For correcting unevenness and filling cavities (breast reconstruction), the fat is removed from a part of the body and used in the damaged area.
• Vacuum pressure: This method is for promoting healing. It applies the suction to the wound to bring out the exudate through a sterile foam.
• Using makeup to camouflage the colored and uneven skin.
• Prosthesis especially for limbs.
• Repairing congenital defects like palate cleft.
• Revision surgery on scars that have altered the function.
Cosmetic surgery definition
Cosmetic surgery is a type of plastic surgery with the sole purpose of improving the appearance of normal functioning tissue, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Cosmetic surgeries can help you look younger, thinner, and more beautiful. Any person with any type of body can have cosmetic surgery. However, keep in mind that most of the time the results are not reversible. The procedures with temporary results last for a specified time, and after that, your appearance returns to their previous status. Cosmetic surgery is elective. So make an informed decision, choose an experienced doctor and have a realistic expectation. Your motivation for cosmetic surgery is very important. The surgeon makes sure that you do not have any underlying issues like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). In this disorder, the person thinks something is wrong with their body when evidence shows otherwise.
Reconstructive surgery differs from cosmetic surgery. This surgery aims to improve the function and appearance of the organ.
Cosmetic surgery can be done on the face or the body.
Cosmetic surgeries and procedures for the face
• Brow lift
• Skin resurfacing (by laser, chemical peels, dermabrasion)
• Skin problems treatment (spider veins, tattoo removal, scar removal, spots)
• Blepharoplasty (removing eye bags)
• Filler injection
• Nose job (rhinoplasty)
• Facial contouring
• Acne or incision scar revision (you should your acne treatment to prevent breakouts)
Cosmetic surgeries and procedures for the body
• Breast lift, augmentation, and reduction
• Abdomen reduction and stretch mark removal
• Arm lift
• Thigh lift
• Circumferential body lift
• Vulvovaginal surgery
• Keloid scar removal
• Stretch mark removal by surgery or laser (Stretch marks will not disappear completely but the skin looks smoother)
Who can benefit from cosmetic surgery?
Cosmetic surgery improves physical features. It is better to be logical and not to have some irrational expectations. If you observe the bellow mentioned points the surgery may help you:
• Realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery.
• Knowing the risks and recovery process.
• A medical consultation session prior to surgery.
• In the case of chronic disease, it should be under control.
• Restriction tobacco products 4 to 6 weeks before and after surgery.
• No sudden weight loss or weight gain.
Risks and complications
Like any other surgery, plastic surgeries may carry some risks. Some specific risks may exist other than general risks associated with plastic surgeries. The degree of risks depends on the extension of the damaged area, the surgeon’s level of experience, and the patient’s physical health.
General risks may include:
• Infection at surgery sites
• Bleeding which may require blood transfusion and surgery
• Scar tissue formation
• Excessive pain and discomfort
• Anesthesia-related complications
• Fluid and blood accumulation under the skin
• Altered sensations because of nerve damage
Some people assume that plastic surgeries, especially those that use silicon, may cause autoimmune and connective tissue diseases such as lupus. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the connection between silicone implants and the occurrence of autoimmune diseases, and these implants are safe.
Is plastic surgery the same as cosmetic surgery?
Plastic surgery corrects dysfunctional tissues and reconstruction of defects in the body and face. However, cosmetic surgery aims to enhance the appearance of the face and body. Cosmetic surgery can be considered as a category of plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is mostly elective, although you may need to undergo plastic surgery to have a functioning organ. In Iran, Plastic surgeons, Ear Nose and Throat physicians, and Maxillofacial surgeons are authorized to perform cosmetic surgeries on the face. Besides, only plastic surgeons are certified to perform surgeries on the body.
Who is a board-certified plastic surgeon?
A board-certified plastic surgeon has undergone training programs comprising three years of general surgery and three years of plastic surgery. During the second three years, the surgeon has to perform a minimum of 150 surgeries. Therefore, a board-certified surgeon has an excellent level of experience and training.
Plastic surgery residency programs may include cosmetic surgery training. However, the training is not for all the procedures. A board-certified physician in another area can be more experienced in cosmetic surgery than a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Published by: Exon Medical Department
Date: 11/27/2019
2019 November 27