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Q:
What is
the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery?
Q: How can I select a qualified plastic surgeon?
Q:
How
can I overcome my embarrassment about seeking information and advice concerning
cosmetic surgery?
Q:
Isn’t cosmetic surgery
only for vain people?
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Q: What is the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery?
A: Plastic surgery is a specialized branch of surgery that is concerned with correcting deformities that are congenital (in-born) or acquired from accidents or aging, in order to restore or enhance form and/or function.
The origins of plastic surgery are rooted in ancient history. Until the end of the nineteenth century, plastic surgery was essentially reconstructive. With the perfection of techniques, the correction of minor defects that are congenital in nature or due to aging came to be practiced, evolving into what is now popularly known as cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery.
Although plastic surgery can be categorized into either reconstructive or aesthetic surgery, there is no clear distinction between the two, since there is an aesthetic aspect in reconstructive surgery, and often a reconstructive aspect in aesthetic surgery. Sir Harold Gillies defined reconstructive surgery as an attempt to restore the individual to normal, while aesthetic surgery is an attempt to surpass the normal.
No surgeon can call himself a plastic surgeon unless he can do BOTH aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
A paramount quality required
for plastic surgery is a sense of form, an aesthetic judgement, and an ability
to visualize the end result. These qualities are the most essential requisites
for a plastic surgeon; these qualities distinguish the artist from the mere
technician.
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Q: It seems that a number of medical specialists claim they can do cosmetic surgery. Who should perform cosmetic surgery?
A: Any licensed physician can legally perform cosmetic surgery, even if his or her training is in a non-surgical specialty. Often portrayed as a "turf battle", the issue of training and credentials in plastic surgery is actually an issue of public safety about which responsible doctors are necessarily concerned. Would you want your plastic surgery performed by someone who has never had any formal surgical training? It can easily happen. That is why it is important for prospective cosmetic surgery patients to check on the credentials of any physician with whom they plan a consultation.
There are many physicians today practicing plastic surgery who have received their formal training in another surgical specialty (ENT, OB-GYNE, Opthatmology, General Surgery) or a nonsurgical specialty like dermatology. These doctors may call themselves plastic surgeons or cosmetic surgeons but they may not be trained in plastic surgery. Many physicians who call themselves "facial plastic surgeons" are trained in otorhinolaryngology, a surgical specialty of the head and neck.
Physicians who call themselves " cosmetic surgeons" could be trained in any specialty, including a non-surgical specialty, or even be just plain general medical practitioners. Similarly, any doctor can call himself or herself a "plastic surgeon", regardless of training.
Mere anatomical and physiological familiarity with a general body region does not automatically give a doctor the license to practice plastic surgery in that area. The principles of plastic surgery are special and the conceptual application of these principles requires indoctrination from years of training and experience. Once indoctrinated, the plastic surgeon can apply these concepts in any area of the body if he has had basic training in general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
During his surgical training , the surgeon must seek training in as many areas of surgical endeavor as possible. Only when equipped with the knowledge of general principles common to all fields of surgery can the surgeon be admitted to specialized training in plastic surgery.
Authentic plastic surgeons
have at least five to six years of approved surgical training, including a
two to three year residency in plastic surgery.
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Q: How can I overcome my embarrassment about seeking information and advice concerning cosmetic surgery?
A: Concern with one’s physical appearance is a normal human trait. Throughout the centuries, improvement of one's appearance has been sought after through varying modes of dress and adornment, use of male and female cosmetics and beauty-enhancing products, control of diet for body weight, ingestion of vitamins, use of perfumes, fragrances and skin conditioners, and even behavioral mannerisms.
Your plastic surgeon
will help you acquire a healthy attitude toward cosmetic surgery during the
consultation. He will give you information to remove or lessen your fears
and anxiety. He will explain the goals and limitations of plastic surgery,
encourage an honest appraisal of your physical shortcomings, and estimate
what kind of cosmetic improvement can be achieved through surgery.
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Q: Isn’t cosmetic surgery only for vain people?
A: Undergoing cosmetic surgery to improve one’s self-image can be the ultimate form of catering to vanity , but it is only one more modality in a long list since the beginnings of man that includes the constant changing of styles of clothes, hair and self-adornment.
It is impossible to measure
human suffering. A minor physical irregularity can be of no consequence to
one individual and yet can be of major significance to another.
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Q: How can I put myself in the right frame of mind and overcome the fear I have for a plastic surgery operation?
A: There may be urgent reasons for having aesthetic plastic or cosmetic surgery. You may have a career that you are unwilling to relinquish and that is dependent upon your attractive youthful appearance. You may be suffering in silent desperation when you look at yourself in the mirror and see what aging has done to you. You may need "a whole new you" to shake off the "blues" of the menopause years. These are valid reasons for desiring cosmetic surgery.
If you have made a decision
in favor of cosmetic surgery, you then should choose a plastic surgeon for
consultation concerning your facial and body deformities. You should face
the truth about yourself and summon up the initiative and motivation for physical
improvement. The patient with a healthy attitude toward cosmetic surgery will
accept its benefits willingly and happily.
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Korben Place
3rd Floor, 91 Roces Avenue cor. Scout Tobias St.,
Quezon City, Philippines
Tel
(632)-374-6092
Cellphone +63917-822-9014
Email Dr. Carlos Lasa,
Jr. or
info@cosmeticsurgeryphil.com
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