Reconstructive Plastic Surgery: Some of the Most Necessary Reasons

Filed in archive Plastic Surgery on February 27, 2010

It's important to note that one's sense of self-of who we are and how we fit into the world around us-can be deeply affected not only by perceptions of our mental, emotional, spiritual, or ethical qualities like those of intelligence, personality, faith, and sense of justice, but by perceptions of our physical beauty or attractiveness.

When thinking of plastic or cosmetic surgery we're usually thinking in terms of "bettering" our appearance. With reconstructive plastic surgery we're often thinking of "normalizing" not just our appearance, but our lives. Quality of life becomes the overriding issue, and reconstructive surgery provides one solution.

Disease:
Reconstructive plastic surgery is important not only for treating existing conditions but for preventing certain medical problems. The largest number of these procedures is for the treatment of tumors, including biopsies and removal, which not only gets rid of these malignancies but halts the spread of the disease. Skin cancer removal often requires complex reconstruction and rebuilding of the affected areas. Skin grafting, another reconstructive procedure, may also be necessary.

The Nose:
Some deformities of the nose, which contribute to medical problems like sleep apnea and sinus disease, may require reconstruction of the nasal passageways or sinuses, rhinoplasty, malar augmentation, or even facelift.

The Breast:
Many survivors of breast cancer seek breast reconstruction to create a more normal appearance after mastectomy, while some women seek breast reduction to relieve lumbar pain.

The Hand:
Reconstructive hand surgery is often sought by people experiencing limited function of dexterity due to birth defect, illness, or trauma. Other conditions like TMJ, which cause headaches, difficulty eating, and significant facial pain can be treated by reconstructive jaw surgery. Moreover, birth defects that interfere with regular activities like eating or speaking can be alleviated with malar implants. Cleft lip and palate surgery can not only correct speech difficulties, but can improve appearance as well.

Weightloss:
Another area where reconstructive plastic surgery proves essential is in removing excess skin and tightening slackened muscles in gastric bypass patients or others who have experienced extreme weightloss, leaving their bodies lighter but unnecessarily encumbered or weakened. Such procedures include liposuction, abdominoplasty, panniculectomy, blepharoplasty, facelift, and necklift.

Victims of Trauma:
Finally, the overall therapeutic effect of reconstructive surgery is evident in its ability to rebuild the lives and bodies of burn victims and victims of car accidents, industrial accidents, dog attacks, and violent crimes. Often surgeons must repair facial fractures including those of the cheek and jaw, lacerations, and trauma to hands or lower extremities, as well as the nerve, tissue, and tendon damage associated with these injuries.