Cosmetic Surgery - What is it?

Synonyms

• Aesthetic surgery (English aesthetic / esthetic surgery)
• Cosmetic surgery
• Plastic surgery

definition

Cosmetic surgery makes it possible to change certain parts of the body according to the individual wishes of the patient by means of cosmetic surgery, without the need for a medical indication (medical necessity) for the procedure.

Technical assignment

The term "cosmetic surgery" is no specialty within medicine.
She represents one of the Main directions of plastic surgery which, in addition to cosmetic surgery, also includes reconstructive surgery (reconstructive surgery, e.g. after accidents), burn surgery and hand surgery.

Doctors in cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery operations are performed by Representatives of various medical fields carried out with the additional designation "Plastic Operations" or "Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery", e.g .:

• Surgeons: various cosmetic operations
• Gynecologists (gynecologists): especially Breast surgery
• Ear, nose and throat specialists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons: especially Facial surgery
• Dermatologists (dermatologists): Wrinkle treatment, Liposuction and Laser treatment
• Ophthalmologists (ophthalmologists): especially Lid surgery

In the Society for Aesthetic Surgery Germany e.V. (GÄCD) are specialists from different disciplines who are active in the field of cosmetic surgery.

Measures of cosmetic surgery

• Eyelid correction (Eyelid lift, eyelid plastic, blepharoplasty):
• Ear correction (Ear plastic, otoplastic)
• Rhinoplasty (Nasal surgery, rhinoplasty)
• Lip correction (Lip plasty, cheiloplasty)
• Breast surgery (Tightening, enlargement, Reduction)
• Liposuction (Liposuction)
• Hair transplant
• Face and neck lift (Tightening, facelift)
• Tummy tuck, Legs, Buttocks, chest

History of cosmetic surgery

It is already known from the Egyptians that they performed cosmetic surgery in the facial area more than 3000 years ago. In the 19th century one mainly took Nose, eyelid and cheek plastic surgery. The first Breast reduction took place at the beginning of the 20th century. During the two world wars, the main development was the field of reconstructive surgery continues. A continuous improvement of the surgical methods and the increasing attention to the aesthetics of the surgical result led over time to the today known possibilities of Cosmetic surgery.

statistics

In 2010 around 117,000 cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in Germany, with wrinkle treatments e.g. with botox are not included here.
Laser surgery and eyelid corrections are currently the most frequently used methods of cosmetic surgery. In addition, women are often subjected to liposuction, while many men have their nose corrected.

costs

The cost of cosmetic surgery will be mostly not covered by health insurances and must therefore paid by the patient himself become.
They range from a few hundred euros for wrinkle treatments to several thousand euros for breast operations, for example. The exact costs of a treatment are discussed in advance with the treating cosmetic surgeon and can vary widely.

Risks

Every operation carries risks.
In addition to the specific risks of each individual method, there are also general risks that apply to all cosmetic surgery procedures, such as:

• Scarring
• Bleeding
• swelling
• infection
• Nerve damage
• Wound healing disorder
• Rejection of a used implant
• Allergic reaction on the material or drug used
• Risk from anesthesia

Eyelid correction (eyelid tightening, eyelid plastic surgery, blepharoplasty)

This method is particularly useful at Drooping eyelids applied. Around the eye area To tighten the upper or lower eyelid excess tissue is removed. Fine seams close the rest of the fabric. A rare but serious complication is the Injury to the eyelid elevator muscle represents what subsequently becomes a dry eye can lead.

Ear correction (ear plasty, otoplasty)

By that one understands the Reduction der auricle or that Put on protruding ears by changing the shape of the Cartilage the auricle. For this purpose, the skin of the auricle is partly loosened to thin or cut the cartilage.

For more information, see our topic: Big Ears

Rhinoplasty (nose surgery, rhinoplasty)

Here the external shape of the nose by enlargement, reduction or Shape change from Bridge of the nose, Turbinates or Nasal entrance changed.
In addition to the rhinoplasty as part of cosmetic surgery, this procedure can also be used for Improve nasal breathing or at Facial malformations to be required. The cartilaginous and bony nasal skeleton, as well as partly also the Nasal septum corrected. It can take up to a year for final healing to occur, during which time there may still be small changes in shape.

On to the topic Rhinoplasty.

Lip correction (lip plasty, cheiloplasty)

This method is used in cosmetic surgery and at Cleft lip and palate for use. A distinction is made between pulling up the upper lip (lip lift), the Vreduce and enlarge the lip. An enlargement of the lip can be caused by Padding can be achieved with autologous fat, connective tissue, biological or plastic materials.

Breast surgery

• Breast lift (Mastopexy): Here sagging, sagging breasts are raised and reshaped. At the same time, the breast can be reduced or enlarged at the patient's request.
• Breast reduction: To the volume of chest to shrink, glandular and adipose tissue and excess skin are removed before the areola and the areola nipple be re-placed.
• Breast augmentation (Breast augmentation): Silicon implants are placed under the mammary gland or pectoral muscle to increase the volume of the breast. The incision is made in the armpit, the breast crease or in the area of ​​the areola and is therefore barely visible. Capsular contracture is a special complication that can still occur a few years after the operation and requires another operation.

-> Continue to the topics Breast lift and Breast enlargement.

Liposuction

This plastic surgery is mostly done on Po, at the belly or to the Thighs applied. Fat tissue is sucked out through a cannula. Excess skin shrinks as the scarring occurs. The result can be only after 3-4 months be finally assessed.

-> Continue to the topic Liposuction.

Hair transplantation (hair root grafting)

Bald spots on the head or other areas will be used in this operation Hair roots from the back of the head / neck area refilled, so there again after about 3 months hair to grow. For this purpose, the removed hair roots are transplanted individually or in groups of 2-3 roots at the desired location into the tubules.

-> Continue to the topic Hair transplant.

Wrinkle treatment (face lift, face lift, face lift)

This method will above all in the face and neck area applied (Facelift). The appearance should be rejuvenated without changing the facial expression and facial expressions. For this purpose, the corresponding layers (skin, muscle, fat and connective tissue) are tightened. The incision is designed so that no noticeable scars arise in the face. In cosmetic surgery, this procedure is often combined with a forehead lift, where the eyebrows are raised.

-> Continue to the topic Wrinkle treatment.

Tightening of the abdomen, legs, arms

A lifting operation can also be performed in the area of Thigh, Upper arms or the Abdominal wall can be applied.

• In the Tummy tuck During the operation, the skin of the upper abdomen is pulled down and excess tissue is removed. The cut runs between the two Iliac crests. This type of surgery requires adequate health on the part of the patient, as it includes severe blood loss can occur.
• The upper arm lift is often performed with a liposuction upper arm combined to remove slack tissue.
• Even when tightening the Thigh excess tissue is removed; partlyfat is also sucked off for this purpose.