Plastic Surgery Clinic

Plastic Surgery Terminology

Plastic Surgery—

a field of surgery comprised of both cosmetic (aesthetic) and reconstructive procedures designed to enhance, restore and/or reconstruct body parts

Otolaryngology—

a field of medicine and surgery which deals with conditions of the nose, ears, head and neck, including plastic and reconstructive surgery

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery—

procedures designed to enhance one’s appearance

Aesthetic Surgery—

appearance-related surgery, another term for “cosmetic” surgery

Aesthetician—

a specialist in aesthetics, cosmetics and skin care

Rejuvenology™—

The art and science of appearance and health enhancement.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery—

procedures designed to restore the body to a “normal” state

Board-Certified Surgeon—

one who has completed an accredited residency (or specialty) training program and who has passed a comprehensive examination in his field of study

Facial Plastic Surgeon—

a surgeon who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face, nose, head and neck

Plastic Surgeon—

a specialist who practices plastic and reconstructive surgery of the entire body (face, breast, abdomen and extremities, etc.)

Fellowship Doctor (Fellow)—

A licensed physician who is participating in the highest level of training, after completion of an accredited residency.

Rhytidectomy (the facelift operation)—

the removal of excess skin and the tightening of sagging muscles and connective tissue in the face and neck

Facial “Tuck”—

a procedure performed after a facelift to provide additional tightening of facial tissues

Blepharoplasty—

the removal of excess fat or skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids

Rhinoplasty—

a procedure used to change the width, size, and/or shape of the nose (often combined with a septoplasty to improve breathing)

Mentoplasty—

otherwise known as chin augmentation, this procedure involves building up the chin, often using an implant or the patient’s own bone

Otoplasty—

reshaping the cartilage of protruding ears

Submental Lipectomy—

surgery designed to eliminate a double chin

Suction Lipectomy (liposuction)—

the vacuuming or suctioning of unwanted fat

Chemabrasion or Chemical Peel—

use of chemicals on the face, which cause the top layers of skin to slough off, producing smoother, more youthful skin

Dermabrasion—

facial sanding or the use of an abrasive material to “buff” the top layers of skin, removing fine facial wrinkles and/or acne scars

Laser Surgery—

the use of an intensified beam of light to vaporize tissue

Hair Transplantation—

surgical transfer of hair bearing grafts to areas of baldness

Scalp Flaps—

a repositioning of large portions of hair-bearing skin to areas of baldness

Mammaplasty—

altering the size and shape of the breast

Augmentation Mammaplasty—

enlarging the breasts with medical grade implants

Reduction Mammaplasty—

reducing the size of the breast by removing excessive tissues

Mastopexy—

the breast lift operation

Abdominoplasty (Tummy-Tuck)—

removal of excessive skin and fat of the lower abdomen often coupled with tightening of stretched muscles

General Anesthesia—

the patient is "put to sleep" by an anesthetist or anesthesiologist who monitors and controls vital signs (breathing, blood pressure, etc.)

Local Anesthesia—

areas to be operated are "numbed" by the administration of anesthetic agents into or onto the tissues

Twilight Anesthesia—

the patient is heavily sedated during surgery and local anesthetics are used to eliminate pain in the operative sites

Anesthetist (CRNA)—

a trained and certified specialist (registered nurse) who may administer both general and "twilight" anesthesia

Anesthesiologist—

a physician (M.D.) who administers all types of anesthesia

Imponderable—

an unpredictable or unforeseen event

Assisting Surgeon—

a physician who helps the operating surgeon render medical and surgical services

Hypertrophic Scar —

a thick wide scar

Keloid—

an enlarged scar which extends beyond the boundaries of the original injury or incision