Plastic surgery is a burgeoning field of medicine that includes reconstructive and cosmetic applications.
Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. Typically performed to improve functions, reconstructive surgery may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. It is generally covered by most health insurance policies, although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly. Reconstructive procedures include breast reconstruction and reduction, cleft lip and palate repair, hand surgery, scar revision, skin cancer repair and tissue expansion.
Cosmetic plastic surgery includes surgical and nonsurgical procedures that reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance and self-esteem. Healthy individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations are appropriate candidates for cosmetic procedures. Plastic surgery is a personal choice and should be done for the patient, rather than to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit an ideal image. Because it is elective, cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance. Cosmetic procedures include dermal fillers, ear surgery, lifts, liposuction, microdermabrasion, permanent makeup, spider vein treatments and tummy tucks.1
Newton Medical Center provides plastic surgery as part of its focus on complete care. Call Susan Lovelle, M.D. FACS, at Lovelle Plastic Surgery.
1.American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2011-07-28. URL:http://www.plasticsurgery.org. Accessed: 2011-07-28.