Plastic Surgery Overview: Types, Procedures, Risks, Recovery, Cost, and Choosing a Surgeon

Categories

• Cosmetic (Aesthetic): Enhances appearance (e.g., breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facelift, blepharoplasty, liposuction, tummy tuck).
• Reconstructive: Restores form/function after trauma, cancer, congenital defects (e.g., breast reconstruction, cleft repair, burn reconstruction).

Common Procedures

• Breast: augmentation, reduction, lift, reconstruction.
• Body: liposuction, abdominoplasty, body lift.
• Face: rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, genioplasty.

Risks & Complications

• Infection, hematoma, seroma, nerve injury, poor scarring, asymmetry, implant issues, DVT/PE, anesthesia complications.

Recovery

• Pain management, compression garments, activity restrictions, wound care, follow-up schedule.

Cost Considerations

• Surgeon fee, facility/anesthesia fees, implants/garments, medications, time off work.
• Insurance covers reconstructive; cosmetic is out-of-pocket. Financing options exist.

Choosing a Surgeon

• ABPS board certification.
• Specific procedure experience (volume, before/after photos).
• Hospital privileges.
• Communication, comfort, shared aesthetic vision.