Kinds
The term plastic surgery has a general meaning and under it there are many areas hidden, which can be divided into two types:
- Reconstructive surgery;
- Aesthetic surgery.
Each direction has its own characteristics, and practicing doctors solve different problems when using one or another method.
Reconstructive surgery
The very concept of reconstruction means restoration. Therefore, the name fully reflects the essence of the task of surgeons - they must reconstruct, normalize deformed tissues or organs and correct defects resulting from injuries, mutilations or congenital diseases.
In most cases, reconstructive plastic surgery is the only way to return the patient to a normal, human appearance.
The scope of reconstructive surgery is incredibly broad and this type of surgery is indicated for:
- Post-traumatic changes in the shape of certain parts of the body, organs or tissues;
- Extensive burns that require skin grafting;
- Rough and hard scars that cannot be removed in any other way;
- The presence of benign neoplasms on the skin that need to be eliminated.
According to statistics, the effectiveness of reconstructive surgery is more than 90%. That is, cases of tissue rejection or results that are unsatisfactory for patients do not occur very often.
Important! If an operation to reconstruct tissues or organs is recommended for medical reasons, then it can be performed absolutely free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance policy. Before contacting a paid clinic, consult a surgeon.
Aesthetic surgery
If reconstructive surgery helps the patient get rid of defects and return to normal, then aesthetic surgery is intended rather to exceed this norm. Here we are talking about either a radical change in appearance, or minor adjustments that are needed in order to achieve an ideal appearance. Another important difference between aesthetic surgery is that it is not mandatory and is carried out solely at the request of the client, while reconstructive intervention is most often a mandatory prescription of the attending physician, without which further treatment is impossible.
In 95% of cases, patients at aesthetic surgery clinics are women. This is not at all surprising, because who, if not the ladies, should take care of their appearance and constantly improve, trying not only to preserve, but also to increase their beauty and attractiveness. However, before going to the clinic, you should carefully weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of the operation and recalculate your finances, since you will have to pay a considerable amount for this type of surgical intervention.
HISTORY OF PLASTIC SURGERY: DEVELOPMENT
The 19th century is considered the time of a real breakthrough in the history of plastic surgery, during which hundreds of published scientific works on the topic of reconstructive and aesthetic operations appeared. They mentioned not only interventions related to the noses and ears, but also a host of other operations aimed at correcting natural defects in appearance. The ban on operations was lifted and many experienced surgeons began to practice this activity. The origin of the term “plastic surgery” dates back to 1798. This definition of such medical interventions was coined by the then famous natural scientist Desolton. The First World War served as another impetus for the development of reconstructive surgery, since doctors had plenty of “material” for work and research. Every day soldiers were brought to front-line hospitals and medical centers with various bodily injuries that had to be eliminated so as not to leave a person as an outcast from society for the rest of his life. Of course, we were talking not only about damaged noses or lips: the flow of wounded during active hostilities was so great that many of them simply did not have time to get to the operating table. Some soldiers died on the way to the first aid station or while waiting their turn to see a doctor. It should be noted that at the very beginning of the war there were no special medical surgical centers for the wounded, and all operations were carried out by ordinary doctors and in general tents. Not every one of these doctors knew how to treat a gunshot wound, let alone serious wounds and injuries. Therefore, the need soon arose to create specialized surgical departments, staffed only by surgeons with sufficient experience.
Mammoplasty
Plastic surgery performed on the mammary glands to change their shape or size is called mammoplasty. Depending on the patient’s goal, either the skin and glandular tissues are sutured, or a special prosthesis is implanted into the chest.
With the help of mammoplasty, you can not only enlarge, but also reduce your breasts, giving them the desired shape.
Medical indications for surgery are:
- Macropathy is large breasts that complicate the patient’s life and look extremely unaesthetic.
- Breast ptosis is a drooping of the mammary glands that occurs after breastfeeding or due to other circumstances.
- Micromastia is very small breasts. Most often, this is a congenital pathology and the shape can only be changed through surgery and sewing in an implant.
Before the operation, an ultrasound is prescribed and all necessary laboratory tests of blood composition are carried out. Two weeks before plastic surgery, patients are advised to give up cigarettes, as they significantly weaken blood flow, and stop using any hormonal medications, including contraceptives. The operation can last from 2 to 4 hours.
Contraindications to mammoplasty are: any oncological and infectious diseases, the period of breastfeeding, when lactation is not yet completed and too young age (under 18 years). In all other cases, the decision about the possibility of breast enlargement or reduction is made by a plastic surgeon, guided by the patient’s health condition.
USA
Plastic surgery came to Hollywood around the same time. So, with the help of a painful electrolysis operation, Marilyn Monroe changed her hairline. However, Monroe’s main manipulation was her nose: the world’s most famous blonde became one of the first Hollywood stars to decide to undergo rhinoplasty. In the middle of the 20th century, even for Hollywood, rhinoplasty was a dubious and dangerous experiment, but plastic surgeon Monroe turned out to be a genius: the corrected tip of Marilyn’s nose was so in harmony with the proportions of her face that it is still considered canonical when it comes to issues of female beauty. A couple of decades later, plastic surgery has become the main weapon of stars in the struggle for beauty after a healthy lifestyle and constant training. Particular demand was for various types of facelifts, mammoplasty, correction of cheekbones, nose and blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery to change the shape of the eyes and the shape of the eyelids is called blepharoplasty.
Premature wrinkles, bags under the eyes, excess fatty tissue - all these problems can be solved with blepharoplasty.
Most often, the indication for surgery is the formation of excess fatty tissue and skin that hangs over and under the eyes, forming unsightly bags. This may be due to age-related changes or be the result of sudden weight loss. With this procedure, you can literally “open” your eyes, making your look more youthful and the skin around the eyes firm and toned.
Blepharoplasty is strictly contraindicated for:
- Oncological, infectious and hypertensive diseases.
- Diabetes mellitus. The only exception is stage 1 diabetes, in which surgeons undertake surgery.
- Flu, colds and even a slight increase in temperature.
Also, the operation is not recommended for people who have problems with the thyroid gland and during menstruation.
Invention of silicone
Silicone, a material that became widespread in plastic surgery, took its place among the most significant scientific inventions of the mid-20th century. Initially, it was used to correct skin imperfections, but in 1962, the American doctor Thomas Cronin invented and introduced the silicone breast implant to the masses. In just 10 years, the new product gained universal popularity and began to be used to correct almost any part of the face and body.
In the 1980s, plastic surgeons and their supporters did a lot to popularize plastic surgery in society, and the economic boom made plastic surgery relatively accessible to the general public. Development continued throughout the nineties, despite close attention from health authorities in many countries. At the beginning of the 21st century, plastic surgery experienced a new round of popularity associated with technologies that made it possible to carry out surgical interventions that previously could only be dreamed of. The IT sector also played an important role - the Internet contributed greatly to the popularization of plastic surgery.
Liposuction
One of the most sought after and popular cosmetic surgeries to remove fat deposits. The name of the procedure has bilingual roots - English and Latin. Literally translated from Latin, “lipos” is fat, and in the English dictionary there is the word “suction”, which means “suction”. The result was a medical term that fully explains the principle of the operation.
The procedure is carried out using a special vacuum device that creates negative pressure and a tube that is inserted into the fat layer.
With the help of liposuction, you can eliminate local problems and improve individual areas of the body. The procedure can be performed on the stomach and thighs, as well as on the face, chin and arms.
As a result of the operation of this “vacuum cleaner,” adipose tissue is destroyed and instantly removed from under the skin. Experts disagree on the recommended amount of fat that can be removed in one procedure. Some surgeons believe that it is impossible to suck out more than 1-3 liters in 1 session, and in some clinics the doctor can remove up to 8 liters of fat without any dire consequences.
Typically, indications for the procedure include excess fat deposits in the hips, abdomen, back, cheeks, chin, etc. In 95% of cases, women who dream of an ideal figure and perfect body proportions resort to liposuction.
Contraindications to liposuction are:
- Thrombophlebitis or varicose veins in areas of the body that require correction;
- Oncology and hypertension;
- Obesity associated with disruptions in the endocrine system;
- Diabetes;
- Poor blood clotting.
Heart failure, gastric ulcer, and liver and kidney dysfunction also serve as negative factors when deciding to undergo surgery. As a rule, before the procedure, an extensive examination is carried out and all possible risks are identified in order to prevent the possibility of complications.
HISTORY OF PLASTIC SURGERY: PRESENT
Considering the historical facts of plastic surgery, it is necessary to mention its important direction - aesthetic surgery. Today, operations to eliminate defects in appearance are quite affordable for almost everyone. For example, 30 years ago only wealthy and public people - actors, politicians and pop stars - could afford to have their face tightened or their breasts increased. Now, such operations can be considered ordinary, and any working person is able to afford to pay for surgical intervention, and without particularly limiting himself in food and without deviating from his usual lifestyle. Even with a small level of income, if you wish, you can save up funds to correct the shape of your nose, ears, eyelid lift or face contour, and other desired manipulations that will make you more attractive and younger. Due to its accessibility, aesthetic surgery is widely in demand, and many women prefer correcting their appearance instead of a new fur coat or a trip to hot countries. Moreover, modern surgical techniques are completely safe and guarantee excellent results.
Many representatives of the fair sex believe that investing money in their own attractiveness is the most effective investment. And such a wide demand gives rise to a lot of offers. Medical centers working in this direction have opened in all cities of our country, and more and more services are offered in the field of plastic surgery with an aesthetic focus. Medical centers are equipped with the most modern and technologically advanced devices and instruments, work efficiency increases, and the experience of doctors increases. The same situation is being created in other countries. According to recent data, there are more than 5,000 highly qualified plastic surgeons in the United States alone. Moreover, in the 60s of the last century there were less than one thousand of them. Today, physical perfection is equally popular all over the world, as it implies a more successful and happy life.
Rhinoplasty
The first mention of rhinoplasty was found in an Ayurvedic manuscript that was written in India more than a thousand years BC. The first practicing surgeons straightened the shape of the nose with the help of two polished, durable sticks, which they inserted into both nostrils.
Rhinoplasty will help eliminate defects and correct the shape of the nose.
Millennia have passed since then, and the technique of correcting the shape of the nose has undergone significant changes. Now this procedure is absolutely painless for the patient, and indications for its implementation may include:
- Deformation of the shape of the nose (hump, downturned tip, curvature of the nasal septum);
- Difficulty breathing through the nose;
- The wings of the nose are too wide;
- The patient's burning desire to make his nose perfect.
Rhinoplasty can be performed using different methods, and which one the surgeon will use depends on the complexity of the defect being corrected and the result that the patient wants to obtain.
Despite the small area of tissue that undergoes change during surgery, contraindications to the procedure still exist:
- Age. Rhinoplasty is contraindicated for patients under 18 and after 40. The only exception may be post-traumatic changes in the shape of the nose, requiring reconstructive intervention.
- Oncological diseases.
- Acne, acne, rash located at the surgical site.
- Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
- Poor blood clotting.
The decision about the possibility of performing an operation is made by the operating surgeon, who first studies the outpatient chart and the results of laboratory tests.
HISTORY OF PLASTIC SURGERY IN FACES
Today's plastic surgery is one of the largest fields of medicine, including not only direct operations, but also extensive research activities. Among the founders of the trends in this area is the English doctor Harold Delf Gillies, from the city of Sidcup, who practiced at Queen Mary Hospital. He is considered the founder of plastic reconstructive surgery. And the first narrowly focused aesthetic surgeon is the German doctor Jacques Joseph, who performed operations to correct the shape of the ears, with excessive “protrusion,” and to correct the shape of the nose using the endonasal (intranasal) method.
Timmy Gene Lindsey
In 1962, Timmy, a young housewife from Texas, had a chance to make history, and she did not miss it: by agreeing to a risky medical procedure, Lindsay became the first woman in the world with silicone breast implants.
Before going under the scalpel, the American woman experienced a lot: after the death of her mother, 14-year-old Timmy married a carpenter and gave birth to three boys and three girls, but the marriage was not very successful and broke up when she was 26 years old.
Soon after the divorce, Timmy began dating Mexican immigrant Fred Reyes, who, in order to distract the woman from the experiences associated with her first marriage, arranged something like a honeymoon. During the trip, her lover persuaded Timmy to decorate her chest with tattoos of red roses, but upon arrival the woman was ashamed of such an eccentric expression of feelings for that time and firmly decided to get rid of the flowers.
In the fall of 1961, the American woman went for an examination, where she met surgeon Thomas Cronin, who was developing breast implants for women whose mammary glands had lost shape and elasticity due to breastfeeding. Cronin invited Lindsay to participate in a clinical trial, and she agreed.
The operation was carried out in the spring of 1962 under the direct supervision of Cronin and his colleague, surgeon Frank Giro. Doctors removed the tattoos and, in addition, corrected the size of the breasts and their shape (now such operations are known as mammoplasty), after which the brave Lindsay instantly became a celebrity, and thousands of women, consumed by envy of Timmy, rushed to surgical centers to get their “dream breasts.”
Willie Vicarage
Among the victims of the Battle of Jutland who ended up on Dr. Gillis’s operating table, one cannot help but mention Willie Vicarage - the Briton became the first person to whom doctors were able to restore his lower jaw.
Surely, when he woke up after the battle and looked at himself in the mirror, the young man was close to despair: the prospect of living with a disfigured face can break even a strong personality, but, fortunately, Willie was interested in the one who could help him.
To increase the chance of success of the operation, Harold Gillis was one of the first to use the stem flap technique: whereas previously surgeons, as a rule, simply transferred skin to the damaged areas of the face, Gillis made incisions in the chest and attached a large flap of skin to the lower part of Willie's face at one end. and the rest was rolled and hemmed into a tube shape.
Thus, the chin was restored layer by layer, and, since the donor skin was alive, it was possible to avoid infection in the wound and most other problems with the blood supply to the restored areas, common for the first plastic surgeries.
By the way, the author of the stalk flap method belongs to our compatriot, Soviet ophthalmologist Vladimir Petrovich Filatov, which Gillis himself has repeatedly admitted.
