Overview Of Plastic surgery

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery can be used to reconstruct or repair damaged skin and tissue. Plastic surgery's main goal is to restore normal tissue and skin function. Although important, improving the appearance of certain body parts is secondary. This is different from cosmetic surgery which is performed to improve the appearance of a person's body parts to make it more attractive.

Plastic surgery:

Plastic surgery can correct abnormalities from birth such as cleft lip or palate, webbed fingers, and birthmarks. It also treats areas that are damaged from cancerous tissue removals, such as the breast or face, or extensive burns. A person's self-esteem and confidence can be improved by plastic surgery.

Accessibility of plastic surgery:

Most reconstructive plastic surgery can be done on the NHS for free. However, availability can vary across the country and is determined by local medical commissioning groups (CCGs). Plastic surgeons are highly trained and belong to professional associations such as the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Surgeons (BAPRAS). Many people are referred by their GP to NHS plastic surgeons. Private plastic surgery can also be available, but it can prove very costly. If you are considering private treatment, it is a good idea not to wait for a referral.

Techniques for plastic surgery:

Skin graft healthy: skin is taken from unaffected areas of the body and used to replace damaged or lost skin

Skin flap surgery: This is where tissue from one area of the body is transferred to the other, with all the blood vessels that keep it alive. It's also known as flap surgery. The healthy tissue often remains attached to the body while it's being repositioned.

Tissue expansion: This is where the surrounding tissue is stretched to allow the body to "grow" more skin. It can then be used to reconstruct the area.

These techniques are not the only ones used by plastic surgeons. They also use other methods such as:

Fat transfer or grafting: This is where fat is removed from an area and then inserted into another, often to correct any unevenness

Vacuum sealing- Where suction is applied to a wound using a sterile foam piece to draw out the fluid.

There are risks associated with plastic surgery:

Plastic surgery comes with risks, as do all types of surgery. The extent of the risk will depend on the area being treated, the experience of the surgeon, and the health of the patient. While some procedures have specific risks, others can cause pain, discomfort, bleeding, infection, and scarring. If you experience any side effects or unexpected pain after surgery, please contact your doctor, healthcare team, or GP immediately.

Tissue expansion:

Tissue expansion encourages the body's ability to "grow" more skin by stretching the surrounding tissue. The extra skin can be used to reconstruct the surrounding area. Breast reconstruction and large wound repair are two examples of situations where tissue expansion can be used. An expander, a balloon-like device that looks like a balloon, is placed under the skin in the vicinity of the area to be repaired. The skin will stretch and grow as the saltwater slowly fills in. 

Depending on how large the area is being repaired, the time taken for tissue to expand can vary. It can take up to 3-4 months for the skin's tissue to recover from the damage. The skin will develop a bulge during this period. After the skin has grown sufficiently, it is necessary to perform a second operation. This will allow the expander to be removed and the tissue to be repositioned. This method ensures that the skin repaired is the same color and texture as the surrounding areas. Because the blood supply to the skin remains intact, there is less chance of it failing.