All You Need To Know About Plastic Surgery- Types, Benefits, & Success Rates

Plastic surgery, a comprehensive subspecialty within the field of surgery, includes various cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Experts believe that cosmetic surgery, once unpopular due to social and cultural factors, has become widely popular as a result of evolving cultural norms and an improved economy. It's important to note that not all these surgical interventions involve major surgeries. Numerous non-surgical or minimally invasive outpatient procedures exist, allowing for significant aesthetic enhancements without the need for extensive surgery, prolonged recovery, or hospitalization. These procedures have gained significant popularity in recent times. 

It's crucial for individuals contemplating cosmetic or plastic surgery to thoroughly weigh the potential risks and benefits. Before proceeding with any surgical plans, it's strongly recommended that they gather thorough information regarding the procedure, consult with a healthcare professional, seek out surgeons who possess substantial experience and training, and maintain realistic expectations regarding the anticipated results in order make an informed decision towards it.

Following are advantages of both plastic and cosmetic surgery:

Enhanced body confidence and mental well-being: Plastic and cosmetic surgery can assist individuals in aligning their appearance with their desired look. According to a study conducted in 2022, cosmetic surgery is indicated to enhance body confidence, boost self-esteem, and alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. 

Improved functionality: Plastic surgery is directed towards enhancing function and rectifying irregularities or dysfunctions, potentially elevating an individual’s quality of life.

Gender affirmation: For those seeking gender-affirming surgery, these procedures may alleviate gender dysphoria and foster an improvement in overall well-being and mental health.

Correcting Congenital Anomalies: It is employed to correct birth defects and congenital anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate or hand deformities.
Trauma and Injury Repair: Plastic surgeons address injuries and trauma by repairing and reconstructing damaged tissues, bones, and skin to restore normal appearance and function.

Medical Need: In some cases, plastic surgery is necessary for medical reasons, such as the removal of tumors, treating chronic conditions, or alleviating physical discomfort.

Plastic surgery includes a variety of procedures, broadly categorized into two main types on the basis of goals to be accomplished:

Reconstructive Surgery: It is done to repair defects or injuries resulting from trauma, restoring function and a natural-looking appearance. It is indicated for conditions like

1. Birth defects (e.g., webbed fingers, cleft lip and palate)
2. Burns
3. Certain medical conditions (e.g., head and neck cancer, breast cancer)
4. Scars limiting natural movement
5. Severe injuries over large skin areas

Cosmetic Surgery: It is done to enhance the appearance for nonmedical reasons, addressing the physical features causing self-consciousness. It aims to bring individuals closer to their ideal body image, involving changes in following aspects: 

1. Shape
2. Size
3. Symmetry (creating a more mirrored alignment between similar body parts, such as breasts)

This distinction helps to clarify the diverse purposes of plastic surgery, whether it's focused on medical necessity, reconstruction, or personal aesthetic preferences.

Different types of plastic surgeries categorized on the basis of targeted body part are: 

Birth defect repair

1. Cleft lip and palate: Surgery for cleft lip and cleft palate involves the restoration of your child's upper lip and the roof of their mouth (palate). 
2. Congenital hand differences: The primary objective and advantage of the treatment are to enhance your child's ability to function effectively despite the hand difference. Additionally, the goal is to improve the appearance of their hand and bolster their self-esteem.
3. Craniosynostosis: The infants with this disorder may require cranial surgery to reshape the skull, alleviate elevated intracranial pressure, and provide sufficient space for the proper growth and development of the baby's brain.
4. Hypospadias: Hypospadias can be rectified through surgery, typically performed by pediatric urologists when the child is between six and 12 months old. This age range facilitates easier postoperative care for the surgical site and ensures a safer administration of anesthesia for the child.
5. Microtia: While treatment for the external appearance of microtia (abnormal external ear) is not always necessary, it is crucial to address any accompanying hearing loss if it exists.

Breast surgery

1. Breast augmentation: It employs either breast implants or fat transfer to enhance the size and form of your breasts.
2. Breast lift (mastopexy): It makes breasts firmer and raises them.
3. Breast reduction: It decreases the size of your breasts by eliminating fat, skin, and other tissues.

Face and neck procedures

1. Brow lift: It's a cosmetic procedure designed to reposition your forehead, minimize wrinkles, and create a more youthful appearance.
2. Cheek lift: It is a cosmetic procedure that involves lifting and repositioning the cheeks to create a more youthful and defined facial contour.
3. Facelift: It entails enhancing the visible indicators of aging on your face and neck.
4. Double chin surgery: It includes procedures such as chin tuck, neck lift, or chin liposuction, aimed at giving you a more youthful or slender appearance.
5. Rhinoplasty: It modifies the structure of your nose to enhance your aesthetic features or address medical issues that hinder proper breathing. This may involve correcting a deviated septum or fixing a broken nose.

Fat reduction and body lifts

1. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): It is a surgical procedure that eliminates surplus skin and fat from the abdominal area.
2. Body contouring: This process eradicates fat, sculpts various body regions, and tightens the skin.
3. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): It's a surgical procedure designed to enhance the aesthetic of your eyelids.
4. Liposuction: It is a surgical procedure that eliminates undesirable fat deposits from your body.

Gender affirmation procedures

1. Facial feminization surgery: It covers one or more procedures aimed at giving the features of your face a more conventionally feminine appearance.
2. Facial masculinization surgery: It involves restructuring bones and soft tissue to create a more masculine appearance in your face.
3. Female-to-male top surgery: It is a process aimed at developing a chest with a more masculine appearance in transgender men.
4. Feminizing genitoplasty: It includes surgical interventions that modify or construct female genitals, encompassing alterations to the clitoris, labia, and vagina.
5. Phalloplasty: It is a surgical procedure designed to rectify the penis following a severe injury or address a congenital condition.

Reconstructive surgery

1. Bone grafting: It helps in the restoration of bones following a significant fracture or when they fail to heal properly.
2. Breast reconstruction: It is a surgical procedure employed to reconstruct breasts following a mastectomy.
3. Facial reconstruction: It is a process of restoring or reshaping facial features, often through surgical procedures, with the goal of improving appearance or function.
4. Jaw reconstruction (orthognathic surgery): It involves the restoration or restructuring of the jaw, typically performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons or plastic surgeons.
5. Limb salvage: It is a surgical procedure to save a limb, such as an arm or leg, that is at risk of amputation in case of conditions or injuries that threaten the viability of the limb.
    

The success rate of plastic surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure, the skill and experience of the surgeon, the patient's overall health, and how well post-operative care is followed. Generally, such surgeries has a high success rate, and many people are satisfied with the outcomes of their procedures.

For common and routine procedures, such as breast augmentation or rhinoplasty, the success rates are generally high, and complications are relatively rare. However, more complex surgeries or those involving significant reconstruction may have different success rates.

In India, plastic surgeons are often recognized as some of the best in performing such procedures, thanks to their exceptional skills and access to advanced medical facilities. This establishes India as a premier destination for individuals seeking plastic surgery. Therefore, people worldwide have excellent chances to access these services from the best doctors for plastic surgery and best hospitals for plastic surgery in India.

Moreover, the cost of plastic surgery in India is generally more affordable than in numerous Western nations, while still maintaining world-class quality. The typical price range for such procedures in India spans from INR 15,000 ($188) to INR 2,50,000 ($3,133).

Make sure you find a proficient plastic surgeon who can work closely with you to plan your cosmetic or reconstructive procedures with best outcomes and rapid recovery. Rely on Medflick as your dependable source for precise, current, and trustworthy information regarding all the aspects of plastic surgery. Your health and overall well-being deserve nothing less than well-informed and responsible guidance.