Plastic surgery is the surgical area of expertise involving the reconstruction of facial and body tissue defects due to illness, trauma, birth disorders, or cosmetic alterations. The cosmetic use of plastic surgery has become more popular in recent years. Plastic surgery can involve operations on the skin, skeleton, and congenital anomalies. Plastic surgery cannot be performed on the central nervous system. Often, plastic surgery patients believe that their quality of life will be enhanced or improved as a result of plastic surgery.

Prior to undergoing plastic surgery, the patient will have a consultation with the physician to discuss the plastic surgery procedure and to ensure that all questions are properly answered. The plastic surgery candidate should discuss their goals and expectations with the doctor to be sure that plastic surgery will provide them with the desired results. Typically, plastic surgery procedures are conducted in a hospital or other medical care facility since plastic surgery is basically the same as any other surgical procedure. If plastic surgery is being considered, consultation with a doctor who specializes in plastic surgery procedures should be done to discuss goals and the possible risks involved.

There are a few major differences between the two main categories of plastic surgery. In cases of reconstructive operations, the patient is generally undergoing plastic surgery to improve function or correct defects. Birth defects, such as a deformed ear, may require plastic surgery to treat the physical aspects of the problem as well as the aesthetic issues. Cosmetic plastic surgery reshapes normal body structures to alter the patient’s physical appearance.

Costs

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that there are 25 different procedures to choose from that are either cosmetic or reconstructive in nature. Typical costs range from $1,500 to as much as $8,000. The most common types are: breast augmentation, facelifts, and liposuction. The national average cost for these three operations is $3,500, $6,000, and $2,500, respectively, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Doctors now offer a variety of ways to finance a surgery due to the increase in demand for cosmetic plastic surgery.