Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery Overview

Plastic surgery is surgery done to change some aspect of a person's appearance or function. It is often considered elective surgery — that is, not necessary for medical reasons — but there sometimes are medical and functional reasons for having plastic surgery. Also, some medical conditions cause problems that may be improved or repaired by plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery includes:

Reconstructive surgery. A person who seeks reconstructive surgery typically has a noticeable disfigurement (such as a scar, skin condition, or malformed body part) caused by injury, disease, or birth defect that has a strong impact on his or her day-to-day life, affecting social, employment, and recreational opportunities as well as self-esteem.
Plastic surgery. A person who seeks cosmetic surgery is usually unhappy with some aspect of his or her appearance, such as a big nose, small breasts, wrinkles, or “love handles.” These kinds of flaws don't bother everyone who has them—some people wouldn't consider them flaws at all—but for some they can affect self-image and confidence. Cosmetic surgery is one way to address this problem.
This topic focuses primarily on cosmetic surgery and other cosmetic procedures. Some of the issues discussed may be relevant to reconstructive surgery as well.

For most of us, whether we like it or not, physical appearance influences how we see ourselves and how others see us. The size, shape, and look of our bodies may affect how we feel about ourselves and, in some cases, how we function. There is nothing wrong with wanting to change the way you look. Some people do this through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Some have plastic surgery, especially if they are unhappy with a specific aspect of their body or appearance that plastic surgery could alter.

However, the decision to have plastic surgery should not be taken lightly. Surgery always involves some level of risk. Complications can occur. There is no guarantee that you will get the results you want. Make sure that you measure the possible benefits of plastic surgery against the possible problems or dangers that could result from plastic surgery.

For people who are unhappy with their overall appearance rather than just a specific aspect of their appearance, plastic surgery is probably not the answer. They are unlikely to be satisfied with the results of a single plastic surgery procedure and may fall into a pattern of having one plastic surgery procedure after another, which can be risky and damaging to the body. (It also can be quite costly.) It is very important to have realistic expectations about how plastic surgery may or may not affect your life. Appearance is only a small part of who a person is.

Search Terms: plastic surgery, costmetic surgery
Source: WebMD.com