Understanding Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Reconstructive surgery is a valuable option for many people, from young children affected by birth defects to adults who have experienced traumatic accidents. Unlike traditional cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery is often performed to improve function or attain a more normal appearance.

Recent advances have also help plastic surgeons achieve astonishing results that may not have been possible in years past. While absolute perfection is never possible in any type of surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery often helps patients gain confidence and improve self-esteem. As Italian plastic surgeon Gaspar Tagliacozzi said in 1597, the goal of reconstructive surgery is to “…restore, repair, and make whole those parts....which nature has given but which fortune has taken away, not so much that they may delight the eye but that they may buoy up the spirit and help the mind of the afflicted."

Candidates for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Reconstructive plastic surgery is usually performed for one of two reasons. The first is to correct congenital birth defects such as a cleft palate and hand deformities. The other reason is to repair damage that has occurred after birth, usually due to infection, accident, aging or disease. Many procedures that are often viewed as purely cosmetic in nature are actually vital tools in reconstructive surgery. For example, breast augmentation is often used to correct abnormal breast development. Another example is the use of facial plastic surgery to restore both function and appearance to people whose faces have been affected by paralysis due to stroke or trauma.

Benefits and Risks of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

As with any type of cosmetic procedure, it is important to consider both the potential benefits and risks of a surgery before deciding if it right for you. No surgery is without some type of inherent risk, although some are riskier than others. In order to determine if the procedure is right for your needs, carefully weigh what you might gain by having the surgery against the possible negative outcomes. Consider side effects such as swelling, infection and excessive bleeding along with potential emotional side effects as well. In some cases, surgery might not produce the results you anticipated, so it is important to be prepared for such an event.

Choosing the Right Reconstructive Procedure

The type of surgery you require will depend largely on your individual needs, but your own goals will play a role as well. In some cases, you may be trying to regain function of part of your body, while in other cases you might be focused on improving physical appearance. The first step you need to take is to discuss your questions and concerns with a plastic surgeon that specializes in reconstructive surgery.