What is the Purpose of Plastic Surgery?

Clinic Hunter

What is the Purpose of Plastic Surgery?

The term plastic surgery, often used interchangeably with cosmetic surgery, is sometimes also known as reconstructive plastic surgery. The purpose of plastic reconstructive surgery is to correct defective parts of the body which are either birth defects or which have been damaged by trauma, burns and/or disease. As the name implies reconstructive surgery attempts to ‘rebuild’ missing or faulty parts of the body. Reconstructive plastic surgery procedures include such things as breast reconstruction (maybe following a mastectomy), burn repair surgery, correcting deformities in the hand and scar revision surgery as well as congenital defect repairs. In many cases, plastic surgery will be financed by the NHS and, sometimes, by private health insurance companies.

Cosmetic plastic surgery, however, has a slightly different purpose. It is, also, often carried out by a plastic surgeon, but the aim of the surgery in this case is to enhance or improve the existing body part. Patients are often looking to make themselves more attractive by improving the body’s symmetry, proportions or general aesthetic appeal. Cosmetic surgery may include such things as breast augmentation or reduction, rhinoplasty (changing the shape of the nose) and buttock lifts among others. When it comes to elective cosmetic surgery UK private health insurance companies, along with the NHS, will not normally pay for the procedure. The patient must fund all costs themselves.