When to Do Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?

If the natural appearance of your body part is altered due to any injury, congenital disability, the aging process, or medical condition, it may take a toll on your confidence. If this is the case, you can be a candidate for plastic surgery. Your plastic and reconstructive surgeon Arlington can help repair, reconstruct, or replace physical defects of form or function. These are defects involving the skin and musculoskeletal system.

What is reconstructive plastic surgery?

Reconstructive plastic surgery includes craniofacial surgery. It involves treatment for cleft lip/palate and defects related to skull structure like a limb deformity. These are deformities that may have occurred developmentally through syndromes like hemangiomas or during trauma. Hand surgery is yet another reconstructive plastic surgery that helps restore the function and mobility of hands if they are permanently damaged due to injuries or physical deformities. Reconstructive plastic surgery deals with restoring function, appearance, and anatomy to body parts.

How is reconstructive plastic surgery done?

Plastic surgery is a broad field that encompasses different types of procedures. Some focus on healing physical injuries and defects, while others aim at improving one’s appearance and self-image. One common branch of plastic surgery is reconstructive plastic surgery, which can be used to treat anything from burns to congenital abnormalities to diseases like cancer.

Reconstructive procedures can restore function and improve appearance. They can help patients feel more confident in themselves or give them the ability to get back out into the world again after an accident or illness.

Who performs reconstructive plastic surgery?

A surgeon specializing in reconstructive plastic surgery will usually try to restore the normal shape, color, and function of the damaged area. The methods used for this vary depending on whether the damage was caused by an accidental burn, infection, congenital defect, or malformation. The goal is always to allow the patient to function normally physically and psychologically.

Plastic surgery is classified into two broad categories

Plastic surgery is carried out to reform normal body structures so as to improve the self-esteem and appearance of the patient. Furthermore, reconstructive surgery rectifies abnormal structures in the body rooting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease.

Why is reconstructive surgery performed?

Reconstructive surgery can be done for several reasons. They include;

Restore damaged body parts-If you have lost an ear due to trauma or cancer and need reconstructive surgery to replace it, plastic surgeons will perform the procedure.

Fix congenital abnormalities-Reconstructive surgery is also performed on patients born with congenital abnormalities, such as cleft palate or cleft lip.

Solve birth injuries-It may also be used to repair injuries sustained during birth that result in disfigurement or functional impairment.

Repair damage resulting from accident trauma-Reconstructive surgery can also help repair damage caused by accidental trauma, such as burns and tumors, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, and Kaposi sarcoma. These may require skin grafting procedures in order to restore areas affected by these diseases.

Treat severe burns-Plastic surgeons are also responsible for performing reconstructive procedures after severe burns with third-degree burns requiring extensive grafting procedures. Second-degree burns require less extensive grafting procedures but still require plastic surgeons’ expertise for them not only to heal properly but look good once they are healed.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is often necessary when a person’s appearance has been compromised by injury or disease. Plastic surgeons are specially trained to address these problems and return patients to a more normal state. In some cases, plastic surgeons have to repair the damage done by accident and injury, while in others, they can prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Contact Advanced Plastic Surgery Center for more information about reconstructive plastic surgery.