Do you know what plastic surgery is? If you’re like most people, you probably think of Hollywood transformations and ripped, shredded bodies. And you’d be right. But there’s so much more to plastic surgery than just what you see on TV. So let’s put the misconceptions to rest and talk about plastic surgery.
Beyond Aesthetics: The Power of Reconstruction
Though plastic surgery is often thought of in terms of achieving an aesthetic, in fact a substantial amount of work is dedicated to reconstructive surgery. This is the repair and restoring of form and function to areas of the body damaged by disease, trauma or congenital defects. Consider the burn victim who regains mobility and a sense of normalcy after undergoing skin graft surgery. Or the child born with a cleft lip undergoing pediatric plastic surgery and a future bright with opportunity. Such are the benefits of reconstructive plastic surgery.
The Art of Enhancement: Boosting Confidence and Beauty
But there is a side of plastic surgery that makes headlines these days: cosmetic surgery. These are procedures that enhance your appearance, and possibly your self-confidence – everything from reducing wrinkles with BOTOX® Cosmetic to ‘going under the knife’ for a breast augmentation or liposuction.
Try to think of it like this: reconstructive surgery is restoration work (restoring what was lost) while cosmetic surgery is home renovation (beautifying your existing features).
But Wait, There’s More!
What is plastic surgery? This is also a heterogeneous field that goes well beyond two responses. These include surgeons who specialize in microsurgery – that is, the delicate reattachment of severed limbs, for instance – or the restoration of facial features after trauma. Then there are hand surgeons, who treat injuries and conditions that leave patients with impaired function and dexterity, such as arthritis.
The Expertise Behind the Scalpel
The clean work of the plastic surgeon was never painted as mysterious, but rather as hard-earned. Board-certified plastic surgeons have to complete several years of surgical training to perfect their skills with scalpels and sutures as well as their understanding of anatomy, physiology and bone structure. They are often trained by other plastic surgeons, who themselves were trained by plastic surgeons who had trained with plastic surgeons, all the way back to the pioneering German surgeon Johann von Mikulicz in the late 19th century. No matter how good a plastic surgeon is, though, creating natural-looking enhancements takes experience, training in art, vision, patience and impeccable fine-motor control.
Your Journey to a Renewed You Starts Here
Making the decision of whether you will have an option for plastic surgery and what that might involve can be a highly personal one, whether you are considering just one procedure or multiple ones. We here at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery are committed to answering your questions and pointing you in the right direction while always keeping your best interests in mind. By engaging in a meaningful consultation, we can hear your goals and start to plot an aesthetic path: surgery or no? Non-surgical? Timeframe? After we discuss your wishes, we can offer options that fit into your vision, whether that be a subtle refresh or a dramatic one. We will work along with you as part of your team towards a final makeover plan, and your goal is our goal – to maintain and enhance your natural beauty in a way that is thoughtful, responsive and, most importantly, individualized for you.
Plastic surgery has never been about following the current fad. It’s about feeling good in your own skin. As reconstruction restores function or as cosmetic surgery boosts your confidence, Napa Solano Plastic Surgery is here to provide support to you.
Are you ready to discover what plastic surgery can do for you? Schedule a consultation now!