CONSIDERING PLASTIC SURGERY?

It is not widely known, but plastic surgery seldom, if ever, uses any plastic. In fact, the name actually has no connection at all with synthetic polymers (i.e., plastics). In this sense, "plastic" derives from the Greek word plastikos meaning "to build up or take form." Plastic surgery deals with the appearance, form and surgical reconstruction of body tissues -- not the use of plastic substances to do so. Plastic surgery is also much older than most people think. The ancient Egyptians, the early Greeks, the Hindus of India and physicians for hundreds of years have attempted to change facial characteristics through surgery of various sorts. However, modern techniques did not develop until after the First World War by surgeons attempting to repair the disfigurement of combat. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons was formed in 1931. This marks the beginning of the true profession of plastic surgery. Breakthroughs in plastic surgery have occurred in the past 20 years. It is popularly believed any surgeon can become a plastic surgeon. This is not true. Plastic surgeons require as much or more postgraduate training than does any other surgical specialty. It is also popularly believed that plastic surgery is a frivolous specialty, concerned only with cosmetic facelifts, breast enlargements, tummy tucks and such. This is also not true. More than 60% of all plastic surgery deals with reconstruction to repair serious damage from burns, injuries or congenital abnormalities.

Less than 40% involves cosmetic surgery for reasons of vanity only. Of these, in one year alone (2002) in just the United States, 6.6 million people had cosmetic plastic surgery of one kind or another. Eighty-five per cent of these were women. The top five "cosmetic surgical procedures" for women were: (1) breast augmentation; (2) liposuction; (3) nose reshaping; (4) eyelid surgery; and (5) facelift. The top five "cosmetic surgical procedures" for men were: (1) nose reshaping; (2) liposuction; (3) eyelid surgery; (4) hair transplantation; and (5) ear surgery. Forty-five per cent of those having cosmetic plastic surgery were aged 35 to 50. Twenty-four per cent were aged 19 to 34. Twenty-two per cent were aged 51 to 64. Six per cent were aged 65 and over. Three per cent were aged 18 and younger.