Types of Procedures
Performed by Plastic Surgeons

There are two basic types of plastic surgery: Cosmetic procedures and reconstructive procedures. It is important to know the difference between the two when considering plastic surgery and when choosing a surgeon.

Cosmetic surgery is performed with the purpose of reshaping normal structures of the body. These types of procedures are done to improve a patient’s appearance and self-esteem rather than as treatment for injuries, deformities, or other defects. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered by an individual’s health insurance because these surgeries are almost always 100 percent elective in nature.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma or injury, infection, tumors, genetic deformities, or other diseases. These types of procedures are usually performed with the purpose of improving the function of specific body structures, but they may also be done in an effort to approximate a normal appearance.

Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by health insurance; however, coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage vary greatly.

There are a number of different procedures performed by plastic surgeons. These procedures include, but are not limited to the following:

1. 1.Treatment of skin neoplasms, diseases and trauma, deformities, scar revisions, laser therapy for vascular lesions, and reconstructive grafts.
2. Breast surgeries including breast reconstruction, biopsy, mastectomy, and reduction.
3. Surgery of the hand and extremities including hand wounds, tendon injuries, tumors of the bones and soft tissue, surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery for rheumatoid arthritis, and a few more.
4. Reconstructive microsurgery which includes microvascular flaps and grafts, free tissue transfer, replantation and revascularization of the upper and lower extremities, and reconstruction of the peripheral nerve due to injury.
5. Facial procedures such as treatment of facial diseases, injuries, and deformities, treatment of facial fractures, various cosmetic procedures such as face lifts or nose jobs, skull base surgeries, and treatment of tumors of the head and neck.
6. Surgery of the genitalia which includes reconstruction of congenital and acquired defects, vaginal reconstruction, repair of penile deformities, gender reassignment surgeries, and a few additional cosmetic procedures.
7. Treatment of complex wounds such as initial burn management and acute and reconstructive burn treatment.
8. Cosmetic procedures such as body contouring, facial contouring, breast lifts, breast augmentations and reductions, cosmetic rhinoplasty, subcutaneous injections, skin peelings, dermabrasion, endoscopic cosmetic surgeries, liposuction, and laser therapy for vascular and cutaneous lesions.