Plastic Surgery

There are two different types of plastic surgery, reconstructive or cosmetic. Reconstructive plastic surgery is used to mask or correct birthmarks, after disease or to reconstruct a bodily part after trauma. Cosmetic plastic surgery, also referred to as aesthetic surgery, changes any bodily feature that the patient is unhappy with. Plastic surgery is a surgical procedure that alters the look or function of a patient's body.

Plastic surgery has been uncovered in Ancient Egypt approximately 2500 BC when they excavated the pyramids and found that one body had evidence of brain surgery performed. In 600BC an Indian Physician Sushruta, taught and practiced surgery on the banks of the Ganges. Sushruta wrote a series of books called the "Sushruta Samhita", which is the oldest known text that fully describes examination, diagnosis, treatment and procedures on performing various forms of ailments, including rhinoplasty, and various other forms of plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery has been around for many thousands of years and the famous Hau Tao was one of the very first Chinese physicians to practice this form of surgery with the help of anesthesia. Hau Tao was using an anesthetic 1600 years before it was introduced to the Western World. There are also documentated cases of plastic surgery being used in medieval Europe.

Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery are two entirely different fields for example; A facelift that undermines the soft tissues can be defined as either of the two procedures. If a facelift is used to redefine the characteristics of a 60 year old then this is considered cosmetic surgery however, if a facelift was performed on the same person who suffered from skin cancer then this would be regarded as reconstructive surgery. Now that we have the explanation and background of the procedure here is a link that will help you to select some of the best Plastic Surgeons recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This Society was founded in 1931 and is the largest plastic surgery speciality organization in the world - www.plasticsurgery.org.

This site has a printed journal, "Plastic and Reconstructive Journal", provides links and assistance for those who are actively seeking surgery, includes a section on breast implant safety, lists procedures and surgeons and gives you first hand patient stories. So, before you decide to have a nip/tuck, visit this site and know exactly what the procedure is about. Whether you need reconstructive or cosmetic surgery it is always an excellent idea to look around and educate yourself on the type of surgery, side-effects and top surgeons available.