Know before you glow

OP. DR. YUNUS DOĞAN

Scratching the surface of beauty

If you heard the words “boob job,” you probably had an image in your mind immediately. You may have pictured Dolly Parton or Kim Kardashian and silicone implants. Did you know that a boob job can also mean a reduction or an implant replacement? What does “nose job” mean to you? What part of the body is a “panniculectomy” performed on?

Dip a pedicured toe into the pool of alternative plastic surgery terminology. Then you can easily eavesdrop in the hospital cafeteria, learning about who’s getting what enlarged, reduced or replaced.

Aesthetic synonyms

There are many different kinds of plastic surgery procedures and they can have multiple names. How many do you know? Open your eyes to know what a blepharoplasty really is. Raise your hand if you’d like a brachioplasty and don’t just sit around if you’re considering a gluteal augmentation. Educate yourself on the different ways to talk about plastic surgery.

Let’s test your knowledge of the names of various aesthetic surgeries.

Fill(er) in the blank

Use the following words to fill in the blanks. The answers will be written at the very end of the blog.

[blepharoplasty, botulinum toxin, capsular contracture, gynecomastia, hematoma, keloids, liposuction, otoplasty, panniculectomy, rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, seroma]

1. Surgery to correct nasal deformities, also known as a “nose job,” is called _____.
2. Patients with facial wrinkles, migraine headaches or neck spasms may find relief from Botox injections, which are derived from _____.
3. Male patients who have over-developed breast tissue suffer from _____.
4. A _____ is a collection of blood under the skin, making the skin and tissue feel spongy, lumpy or rubbery.
5. A _____ is a collection of serous fluid under the skin and can be painful to the touch.
6. _____ are larger than regular scars and can be painful or itchy.
7. Also known as a facelift, a _____ can reduce sagging skin of the jowls and middle of the face.
8. Removal or tightening of the eyelid skin to improve its appearance is called a _____.
9. _____ is ear surgery performed to improve their shape, size or appearance.
10. When the scar tissue around a breast implant becomes unusually tight, it’s called _____.
11. Also known as lipoplasty, _____ is the process of vacuuming subcutaneous fat from under the skin.
12. Removal of excessive abdominal skin without tightening the abdominal muscles is called a _____.

Plastic surgery: how many types are there?

Even though there are many different procedures that can be performed on various parts of your body, there are two main types of plastic surgery: cosmetic and reconstructive. Many of the procedures we mentioned above fall under the category of cosmetic surgery. These surgeries are usually not medically necessary and are performed to satisfy a nonessential goal related to beauty or appearance. The patient’s measurable quality of life is not affected by the outcome of cosmetic surgery.

Reconstructive surgery, on the other hand, directly impacts the patient’s physical ability in some way. This type of surgery can correct birth defects and/or restore lost physical ability. Reconstructive surgery can be justified as medically necessary.

Paging Dr. Fix-it, paging Dr. Fix-it!

Types of reconstructive surgery can include:

• Cleft lip and cleft palate repair,
• Breast reconstruction following mastectomy or lumpectomy,
• Skin grafts after severe burns,
• Excess skin removal,
• Birth defect repairs.

(This is in no way a complete list of reconstructive surgery types.)

The parallel of purpose and poise

Although the different specialties cater to two different demographics, the line between the two can be blurry. A reconstructive surgery patient may discover an aesthetic benefit from his/her surgery. Likewise, a cosmetic surgery patient may enjoy additional functionality.

A patient with a cleft lip may have difficulty drinking, eating and forming words properly or comfortably. From a cosmetic standpoint, this patient will not win any beauty contests. So while this patient may still have the capability of drinking, eating and communicating, the ability is diminished AND his/her appearance could be improved. Will cleft lip surgery make the patient more attractive? Yes. Will this same surgery also correct a flawed physical function? Absolutely.

Burn victims may suffer from the disastrous duality of loss of function and refinement. Severely scarred skin may not have the same pliability as normal, healthy skin; these victims may be physically unable to use certain parts of their bodies. Likewise, scarred skin is often thicker and discolored, garnering more negative attention than desired. Skin repair surgery can restore skill and sensuality simultaneously.

Patients who have excessive amounts of skin resulting from rapid weight loss may struggle with both failure of functionality as well as poor cosmetic confidence. Excess skin can overhang parts of the body, limiting blood and air flow, creating a breeding ground for infection. Large rolls or wrinkles in skin can get caught in zippers, resulting in wounds. This extra skin can also be viewed as unappealing or unsightly.

On the other hand, a rhinoplasty patient with the sole goal of a perfectly beautiful beak might also breathe easier after surgery, literally and figuratively. Rhinoplasties can correct deviated septums and other internal structural imperfections.

The last stitch

The world of plastic surgery is as wide as the biggest BBL you’ve seen. Think of all the parts of the body: we have 11 major systems that include the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal and urinary systems. Live Science wrote a detailed article about our bodily systems.

Plastic surgery is used to remedy parts of each major system. Varicose veins in the circulatory system can be removed through micro phlebectomy. An untreated cleft palate can hinder the digestive system. An imbalanced endocrine system in males can cause gynecomastia. And we’ve already covered a popular surgery related to the female reproductive system.

Plastic surgery - both cosmetic and reconstructive - can run further than skin deep. It’s bigger than Botoxed lips and a stacked rack and more complex than a costly compression garment. For a great index of plastic surgery terms, check out Australian clinic Costhetics’ article.

The answers from Fill(er) in the blank:

1. Surgery to correct nasal deformities, also known as a “nose job,” is called rhinoplasty.
2. Patients with facial wrinkles, migraine headaches or neck spasms may find relief from Botox injections, which are derived from botulinum toxin.
3. Male patients who have over-developed breast tissue suffer from gynecomastia.
4. A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin, making the skin and tissue feel spongy, lumpy or rubbery.
5. A seroma is a collection of serous fluid under the skin and can be painful to the touch.
6. Keloids are larger than regular scars and can be painful or itchy.
7. Also known as a facelift, a rhytidectomy can reduce sagging skin of the jowls and middle of the face.
8. Removal or tightening of the eyelid skin to improve its appearance is called a blepharoplasty.
9. Otoplasty is ear surgery performed to improve their shape, size or appearance.
10. When the scar tissue around a breast implant becomes unusually tight, it’s called capsular contracture.
11. Also known as lipoplasty, liposuction is the process of vacuuming subcutaneous fat from under the skin.
12. Removal of excessive abdominal skin without tightening the abdominal muscles is called a panniculectomy.

How many did you get right?

0-3 = You’re just a doe-eyed med student, fresh out of the campus bookstore with a stack of new medical journals. Get your rhinoplastied nose back between the pages and study!

4-8 = Welcome to residency! You know a thing or two for sure but you’re not done learning yet. Is there a skills lab open right now?

9-10 = Well done. Your years of studying and training are paying off. Your peers know you’re a resource and often ask you questions that you occasionally have the answers to. You’re mostly amazing.

11-12 = Congratulations on that big corner office of the Medical Director. Have they named a hospital wing after you yet?