Plastic Surgery Terminology

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

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

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