Plastic surgery has made a place for itself in our modern society. Most people know someone who has either had a procedure or is considering it. It is a popular procedure performed for movie stars and has gained incredible popularity among average Americans. However, plastic surgery is not just about glamour and looking good, there are other practical reasons for it.

It is true that you may not have been born with the best looking nose or a curve out of place, but a less glamorized version of plastic surgery is reconstructive surgery.

All across America, there are tens of thousands of people who are born with various kinds of defects (birthmarks, cleft palettes, deformed limbs, and appendages, such as webbed fingers). There are other individuals who suffer from various types of accidents be they from automobiles, sports, or work-related (such as burns, cuts and scars, and even deteriorating skin).

For individuals who are suffering from these types of incidents, having reconstructive procedures is not necessarily about beauty, but of being normal. Also, unlike some purely cosmetic surgeries, reconstructive surgeries may be expensed through insurances, but it is best to check with your agency before scheduling such procedures.

The type of procedure will obviously depend on the type of reconstruction that is needed. It is best for patients to start with a consult with their doctor to discuss the options that are available. The surgeon will want to take pictures and will use these not only for documentation, but to show the patient what is possible through surgery.

The doctor will also explain the risks and the benefits of having the procedure. This consult is the time to have all your questions answered. It may be wise to write these questions down beforehand so that all of your concerns are resolved.

Reconstructive surgery has a few different techniques than plastic surgery. Skin grafts are much more common in therapeutic surgeries. This is when the surgeon takes a piece of skin from one area of the patient’s body (called the donor site) and transplants it to another area that it is needed.

Another method of covering a wound or burn is to grow extra skin near the wound through special techniques. The main benefit of this method is that the final look of the area matches whereas taking skin from another part of your body may be slightly different color.

Most people have heard of breast augmentation, but having a breast reduction is considered reconstructive surgery because the excessive size of the breast is causing health problems such as back strain. Also, another common practice is to recreate the breast after amputation due to cancer or other trauma to a woman’s breast.

Cleft palates and soft palates procedures are also important types of reconstructive surgery. Not only will the patient have a distorted image of him or her self, the patient is also susceptible to infections and breathing problems such as sinusitis and snoring.

The greatest benefit to reconstructive surgery is that patients no longer have to feel discouraged about their appearance. It can boost confidence and improve someone’s self-esteem. Best yet, it leads to healthy, happier, and more productive lives.

Featured Image: euttaranchal

Source by Abigail Aaronson