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Patients Articles
What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty concerned with the
correction of any congenital, acquired, or tumoral, problem or
damage that requires repair or repositioning, or that affects
the body’s form and/or function. Its techniques are based on
the transplant and the mobilization of tissues by means of
inserts and flaps or even implants of inert material.
Reconstructive plastic surgery tries to restore or to improve
the function and the physical aspect in the body from injuries
caused by accidents, burns, illnesses, tumors of the skin and
supporting tissues, and in congenital anomalies, mainly of the
face, hands, and genitals.
Aesthetic plastic surgery on the other hand, deals with
generally healthy patients and its objective is to correct
alterations of the aesthetic norm to obtain greater facial and
corporal harmony or to correct the results produced by aging.
It reverberates in the emotional stability, improving the
quality of life through professional and affective
relationships.
Although the motivation to undergo an operation of aesthetic
surgery is very personal, there are external factors that
undoubtedly influence one’s decision. One such example is the
current orientation of our society toward the youth in which a
young and dynamic physical appearance is primordial to compete
equally in a professional setting. Similarly, it is important
to have a good physical aspect in social and affective
relationships. Physical appearance also influences fashion,
which today is guided toward greater bodily exhibition and
with a certain pattern of beauty. These considerations
influence negatively on the corporal self-image that,
definitely, impels a person to undergo an operation of
aesthetic surgery. Lastly, it is important to highlight the
fact that the patient should have a clear and realistic idea
of the objectives that can be achieved by aesthetic surgery,
and of its limitations and risks, in order to be able to make
a free and informed decision.
In Ecuador, the possession of Doctor's Title in Medicine and
Surgery legally authorizes one to carry out any medical or
surgical procedure. However, it is evident that diverse
branches of the Medicine and Surgery specify some studies of
post-graduate degree to reach the level of knowledge and
necessary experience in each one of these disciplines. At the
end of this additional period of formation, the Doctor in
Medicine and Surgery obtains a Specialist's title. In the case
of Plastic Surgery, a five-year period as a physician intern
residing in an accredited hospital is required. This period
includes one year in general surgery, another in related
surgical specialties and three specific years of Plastic,
Reparative and Aesthetics surgery. This level of professional
formation guarantees a high quality care for the patient.
What ‘s the difference between aesthetic and reparative
surgery?
Both aesthetic surgery and reparative or reconstructive
surgery are parts of plastic surgery, the specialty that is
known in our country as Plastic, Reparative, and Aesthetic
Surgery. Aesthetic surgery is carried out to improve the
normal structures of the body with intention of increasing the
patient's attractiveness and self-esteem. The specialty of
Aesthetic Surgery as such doesn't exist just as aesthetic
surgeons don't exist. Plastic surgeons are simply endorsed
officially for the realization of aesthetic surgery.
Reconstructive or reparative surgery is carried out on
abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital problems,
problems of the development or of the growth, traumatisms,
infections, tumors or illnesses. It is carried out mainly, to
improve the function, although it can also be carried out to
improve the physical appearance.
In short, these are the differences that make this specialty a
true science and art.
Daniel Peñafiel S. M.D. |
