Today plastic surgery is often at the center of public attention, but it is really a set of medical practices that began many centuries ago. The two branches of this medical field, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, along with the numerous subcategories, have doctors performing procedures at a higher rate than in previous years. Despite it’s sometimes negative connotations, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons can be crucial in helping patients improve self esteem and recover from major injuries.

The first records of cosmetic surgical procedures are from India around 800 B. C. Indian surgeons performed the first rhinoplasties, sometimes known today as “nose jobs”. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians also had similar surgical practices. In fact it was from the Greek word plastikos, meaning to mold or give form, that the term plastic surgery was coined. Ancient surgeries were simpler, involving slight procedures to improve the appearance of the ears or nose. However, the existence of this practice in ancient times shows that the strive to perfect one’s appearance began long ago.

World War I directly influenced the modernization of this surgical discipline. The rapid development of new medical technologies in this field of medicine began as a result of the return of injured soldiers. Surgeons had to create new techniques to fix facial and bodily injures soldiers had incurred during the war.

Cosmetic and reconstructive are the two major branches of this field of medicine. Cosmetic surgeons use their techniques to improve physical appearance. Reconstructive surgeons are trained to improve patients’ functionality.

There are exceptions to the rule that reconstructive surgeons generally focus on the human body’s functional improvement. Achieving a normal appearance through procedures to improve burns, cancer and tumors, or lessening developmental abnormalities are also often the motivation of reconstructive surgeons’ patients. Tumor removal, laceration and scar repair, breast reduction, and hand work are the most popular surgeries.

Cosmetic surgeons focus on surgical and also some nonsurgical techniques designed to improve aesthetics. The most popular non-surgical techniques are botox and hair removal. Surgically, they commonly perform liposuction, tummy tucks, rhinoplasties, breast augmentation and numerous other procedures.

In the past century, and especially the past twenty years, plastic surgery has grown by leaps and bounds from it’s ancient beginnings. As patient demand has risen, the field has moved forward and both sub-fields, reconstructive and cosmetic, have branched out into many more sub-specialties. Some of the sub-specialists are craniofacial, burns, hands, micro, and pediatric surgeons.

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