A plastic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in the surgical correction, restoration, or enhancement of various parts of the body. Plastic surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures that can be both reconstructive and cosmetic in nature. Here is a detailed overview of the role and responsibilities of a plastic surgeon:

Roles and Responsibilities:

Reconstructive Surgery:

Plastic surgeons often perform reconstructive surgery to restore the function and appearance of body parts affected by congenital deformities, trauma, injuries, or medical conditions such as cancer. Examples include breast reconstruction after mastectomy, cleft lip and palate repair, and reconstruction following trauma or burns.

Cosmetic Surgery:

Cosmetic surgery focuses on enhancing or altering a person's appearance for aesthetic purposes. Plastic surgeons perform procedures such as facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks to improve the symmetry and proportion of various features.

Hand Surgery:

Plastic surgeons often specialize in hand surgery, addressing conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, hand injuries, congenital hand deformities, and other hand-related issues that may require surgical intervention.

Burn Treatment:

Plastic surgeons play a critical role in the treatment of burn patients. They may perform skin grafts and other reconstructive procedures to restore function and appearance following burn injuries.

Microsurgery:

Plastic surgeons specialize in microsurgery, which involves the use of a microscope to perform intricate surgeries, often for reconstructive purposes. This can include procedures like replanting severed limbs or transferring tissue from one part of the body to another.

Trauma Surgery:

Plastic surgeons involved in treating traumatic injuries, including fractures, soft tissue injuries, and facial trauma. They work to restore both form and function in cases where trauma has caused disfigurement or loss of function.

Consultations and Patient Education:

Plastic surgeons meet with patients for consultations to discuss their goals, evaluate their medical history, and explain the potential risks and benefits of procedures. They provide information on realistic expectations and address patient concerns.

Collaboration with Other Specialists:

Plastic surgeons often collaborate with other medical professionals, such as orthopedic surgeons, oncologists, and dermatologists, when addressing complex cases that require a multidisciplinary approach.

Postoperative Care:

Plastic surgeons are involved in postoperative care, monitoring patients' recovery, managing complications, and ensuring that the surgical site heals properly. They provide guidance on postoperative care and follow-up appointments.

Ethical Considerations:

Plastic surgeons adhere to ethical standards and considerations, ensuring that patient autonomy, safety, and informed consent are prioritized throughout the treatment process.

FAQ'S

1. What happens during the first visit?

The doctor examines the patient and understands why the surgery is required. The doctor then offers a few options to the patient to select from and then begins to set a surgical plan. This usually involves getting a few X-rays and scans done to identify the path to the best results.

2. Is plastic surgery painful?

The surgery is usually performed with suitable anesthetics, and in the majority of cases, there is little to no post-operative pain. However, with certain surgeries, there may be a significant amount of pain that will be alleviated through the use of painkillers. Procedures like liposuction, however, are known to cause a fair amount of discomfort.

3. Are plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery the same thing?

Cosmetic surgery is a subset of plastic surgery that focuses on improving the aesthetics of a person. Reconstructive surgery is another aspect of plastic surgery that works towards correcting bigger problems with the musculoskeletal and maxillofacial structures.

4. Are the procedures risky?

Every surgical procedure has a component of risk, however, plastic surgery is considered to be extremely safe when it is practiced according to the correct standards. Your doctor should be able to inform you beforehand of all the likely risks of surgery and the different risk factors of each surgical approach.