plastic surgery mistakes
plastic surgery mistakes
Plastic Surgery More Than Just Cosmetic
While plastic surgery usually calls to mind breast enhancement, liposuction and face lifts for cosmetic purposes, there are many plastic surgery procedures that improve appearance and anatomical function. Injury, birth defects and cancer are some of the reasons why people seek out reconstructive plastic surgery; when left with abnormal-looking scars or deformities, many wish to just look and feel normal again.
Reconstructive procedures like post-skin cancer surgery or hand reconstructive surgery are not widely advertised or discussed in the media, but procedures like these can have very positive effects on a patient’s psychological wellbeing, helping a person move on from their illness or injury. But restoring function to damaged areas can be extremely difficult, requiring the ability to address individual problems and work precisely in areas with delicate anatomy. Plastic surgeons must tailor each procedure to tackle specific problems since no two reconstructive surgeries can be performed exactly the same way.
Reconstructive Surgery for Skin Cancer Patients
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and there are a number of methods to treat the areas that cancer affects. Although surgery can be the most effective treatment method, it may leave unattractive lesions on a patient’s skin or may otherwise unfavorably change the patient’s appearance. Many surgeons will try to minimize the appearance of scars during the initial surgical removal process, but often additional surgery is required to treat scars.
A skilled plastic surgeon may perform both the initial skin cancer removal and the scar revision surgery to improve the skin’s appearance. When patients are left with large indentations from excisions on their noses, ears or face, they may feel incredibly self-conscious and may feel that their social interaction is inhibited by the scarring. To address these concerns, a plastic surgeon can treat smaller lesions by harvesting nearby tissue to build up the area. For nasal reconstruction, harvesting cartilage may be required and nasal implants may be used to improve the shape of the nose.
The procedure can be very technical, sometimes requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries to correct the concern, and it requires a great deal of aesthetic sense to even out the appearance of scars to make the skin look “normal.” However, once the reconstruction process is completed and the scars diminish, patients no longer have to be reminded of their cancer when they look in the mirror. In the case of skin cancer treatment, plastic surgery can correct the function by restoring skin while also easing patients’ minds, letting them carry on with their lives without constant reminders of their past illness.
Hand Reconstructive Surgery
Perhaps one of the least well-known reconstructive plastic surgeries is hand surgery. Patients who have lost the full use of their hands, suffer with pain from arthritis, fractures, ligament tearing, carpal tunnel or ganglion cysts can benefit from reconstructive surgery greatly. Plastic surgery for hand and wrist injuries is designed to improve the range of motion, shape, look or function of the hand by modifying bone and soft tissue.
Plastic surgeons who perform hand and wrist reconstruction operate to treat broken or fractured bones, trigger fingers, trauma, and can replace joints that have been fused or have been damaged by severe arthritis. For those who suffer from hand-related pain, having reconstructive surgery can greatly improve their quality of life by helping their hands function better and diminishing discomfort.
In many respects, hand surgery can be even more technical than skin cancer treatment. A surgeon may need to repair tiny and complicated joints, bones or other tissue in order to restore the hand’s function. Any mistake could permanently damage or deform the hand. Every procedure must be custom-designed for the patient and may require multiple surgeries to correct.
More common cosmetic procedures like breast enhancement, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), eyelid surgery and others can serve reconstructive purposes as well. Many patients want normality through plastic surgery rather than wanting to look “perfect” or like a celebrity. For plastic surgeons, it can be a very rewarding process to help others feel comfortable and normal after injury or illness.
About the Author
Dr. Juan Garcia performs Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs cosmetic surgery with a focus on tummy tuck, face lift, hand surgery, breast augmentation, and injectable fillers like Restylane®, BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM®. His office is located in Glens Falls, NY where he sees patients from Hudson Falls, Queensbury, Saratoga Springs, Albany, Schenectady, Warrensburg, Lake George, and Lake Placid.
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