Who are plastic surgeons?
Plastic surgeons are medical practitioners who can treat injuries and congenital disabilities that affect one's appearance or functioning. They do so by employing cosmetic and reconstructive techniques. Plastic surgeons can also restore areas previously impacted by diseases like cancer. They also often undertake procedures for aesthetic reasons - to enhance one's physical features.
Typically, a plastic surgeon near you can work on the following:
- Skin
- Breasts and chest
- Mouth, ears, head, face, and neck
- Arms, legs, hands, and feet
- External genitalia (vagina, penis, testicles)
What kind of education and training do plastic surgeons receive?
To begin practicing as a plastic surgeon, one earns an MD (medical doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathy) degree from a medical school. They then enroll in a six-year-long plastic surgery residency. Some doctors may also opt for a five-year-long general surgery residency coupled with three years of additional training in plastic surgery. After completing their residency, they become board-certified by clearing specific examinations.
Plastic surgeons can also continue their education by pursuing a 1- or 2-year fellowship, further specializing in specific areas, such as.
- Aesthetic surgery focuses on enhancing a person’s appearance and is what people commonly associate with plastic surgery.
- Craniofacial surgery focuses on the skull, face, ears, nose, and parts of the mouth. These surgeons often work on conditions such as cleft palates or facial deformities.
- Hand surgery is a subspecialty where surgeons address injuries or chronic conditions affecting the hand.
- Burn and scar specialists treat and reconstruct skin affected by burns or severe scarring.
- General reconstructive surgeons are involved in wound healing, scar revision, and tissue repair procedures.
- Breast surgery may include cosmetic procedures to alter the breast’s appearance, reduction for comfort, or reconstruction after breast cancer treatment.
What are the common cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons?
Plastic surgeons can perform various cosmetic procedures to enhance or restore appearance. Some of these include:
- Facial surgeries such as facelifts tighten loose skin for a younger look, and brow lifts smooth forehead lines and sagging eyebrows.
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) removes excess skin/fat from the eyelids.
- Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose for aesthetic or medical purposes.
- Plastic surgeons also perform hair transplants, which involve moving hair from one part of the body to the scalp to restore fullness.
- Injectables can help reduce facial wrinkles.
- Plastic surgeons use laser treatments for skin resurfacing, hair removal, or spider vein reduction.
- Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits.
- Arm and thigh lifts tighten sagging skin, and body lifts help firm up loose skin around the buttocks.
- For breast enhancement, plastic surgeons may perform breast augmentation, breast reduction, or a breast lift to reshape or resize the breasts.
- “Mommy makeover” can help restore the body’s shape after pregnancy.
- Body contouring can sculpt and tone various areas for a more balanced physique.
What's the difference between plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons?
Plastic surgery includes cosmetic and reconstructive subspecialties. Reconstructive plastic surgeons address medical issues that impact appearance, form, or function. Cosmetic plastic surgeons focus on enhancing physical features rather than medical ones for aesthetic purposes.
Training in cosmetic surgery is a component of all plastic surgeons' education. Healthcare providers aiming to specialize exclusively in cosmetic surgery may pursue additional training through fellowships.
Some healthcare providers might choose to obtain certification in cosmetic surgery only. However, these individuals do not receive formal plastic surgery training and are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
How do you prepare for your plastic surgery?
An appointment's preparation depends on the operation performed and the anesthesia used. For reconstructive surgery, for example, you may have to undergo multiple stages of procedures. When you visit a plastic surgeon near you, however, it is wise to be mindful of the following before your surgery:
- Inquire about the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of the procedure you will undergo.
- Discuss the type of anesthesia used and how long it will take to recover.
- As per your doctor's specific instructions, you should stop drinking and eating before or after the procedure for a particular time frame.
- Let your doctor know any medications you are taking and your medical and family history.
- Follow pre-procedure instructions, if any, related to bathing, cleaning, shaving, etc.
- Avoid wearing makeup/nail polish/contact lenses on the day of the surgery.
- Do not carry jewelry or valuables with you.
- Inform the medical staff of any prosthetic devices you might be wearing.
- Be prepared with all insurance details beforehand.
- Arrange a ride home for yourself after the procedure.
Why are cosmetic procedures on the rise?
Doctors in the United States have found common reasons for the rise in plastic surgery procedures. Some of these reasons include the following:
1. Increased screen time: The desire for plastic surgery is increasing significantly due to selfies, cell phones, and social media platforms. People get to see hundreds of pictures of themselves and self-scrutinize things they do not like about their appearance or the way they are aging. It creates the want to change or alter it to appeal to them more and make them feel more confident in their skin.
2. More acceptance of cosmetic procedures: Earlier, going under the knife was a classified and unexplored event where people hesitated. There are few such taboos today, thanks to social media. Nowadays, people are much more comfortable sharing how they care for themselves and their bodies. They update the details of the procedure on social media, along with pictures of bandages. After their surgery, many people want to be featured on their doctor's social media accounts now!
3. Enhanced affordability: Plastic surgery was only something the rich could do. This was due to the enormous cost of such procedures. Now, surgical and non-surgical procedures have become more affordable, and financing options have also increased. People can opt for medical credit cards, personal loans, or even payment plans offered by surgeons' offices. Health insurance generally doesn't cover cosmetic procedures unless it is for medical reasons.
4. Greater health benefits: The most obvious benefit of plastic surgery is a boost in self-esteem resulting from letting go of one's insecurities. Apart from this, such treatments can also improve your health in certain circumstances. For example, research has found that getting Botox can help with chronic migraines, Bell's palsy, excessive sweating, and even major depression. Breast reduction surgeries can also relieve women from back or disc problems. Through plastic surgery, people with drastic weight loss can also shed extra skin to prevent infections and rashes.
5. Rapid technological advancements: Cosmetic procedures are becoming increasingly reliable and safe thanks to advancing science. Doctors' instruments are also becoming increasingly sophisticated. Doctors can now perform many operations through non-surgical methods, such as lasers.
What should one expect during a visit to a plastic surgeon?
Finding one you trust and feel comfortable with during your first visit with a plastic surgeon is crucial. This initial consultation allows you to get to know the surgeon and explore your procedure options. The surgeon will look at your medical history, perform a physical examination, and recommend procedures based on their findings.
To make the most of this appointment, come prepared with questions about the surgeon's experience with the recommended procedures. One must understand the risks, benefits, and what to expect from each option. Bring any relevant files, notes, or test results from previous healthcare providers to help the surgeon tailor their care to your specific needs. Be ready to discuss your medical history, including any medical conditions and medications you currently take. Additionally, communicate your goals and what you hope to achieve through surgery.
Finding a top-rated plastic surgeon near you in New York, NY
With the ever-growing popularity of plastic surgery, the number of practitioners is also increasing significantly. Thus, finding a plastic surgeon who suits your needs and meets your expectations can be challenging. Zocdoc can help you quickly find one in your vicinity. You can begin by entering the details of your symptoms, conditions, doctor's specialty, and location.
Using relevant data, Zocdoc will compile a list of plastic surgeons. You can browse the individual doctor profiles to discover information about their qualifications, training, work history, and areas of specialization. Additionally, you may learn more about their rankings, recognitions, certifications, language proficiency, accepted insurance plans, whether or not they treat children, etc. If you need help locating plastic surgeons who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is available. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Please note that each appointment can use only one insurance plan.
You can even book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better gauge your provider. Just search for a purple video icon on the plastic surgeon's profile, or filter the video appointment selection. Furthermore, you can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Additionally, if your provider utilizes Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information.
When you have a shortlist of potential practitioners, you may choose one with confidence by reading verified reviews written by previous patients. Furthermore, booking a visit with plastic surgeons near you on Zocdoc is secure, quick, and free!
Plastic surgery statistics in New York City, New York
A research study published in Science Direct in 2020 found that the state of New York had the second-highest concentration(about 0.217 per 10,000 people) of plastic surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recognized around 428 plastic surgeons in the state.
An interesting article published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2016 revealed that only five plastic surgery practices in the United States focused exclusively on serving the male population, with only one in New York. The study thus concluded that plastic surgeons are heavily involved in catering to women and their aesthetic needs.
A 2020 plastic surgery report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicates that the top five procedures annually performed by plastic surgeons in the United States include nose reshaping (around 352,555), eyelid surgery (about 325,112), facelift (about 234,374), liposuction (nearly 211,067), and breast augmentation (about 193,073).
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline
Stanford Health Care
ScienceDirect
Oxford Academic
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
