What is plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery involves the moulding of the surface and sometimes deep structures of the human body to either reconstruct, reshape or rejuvenate parts of the body and face. In time, techniques developed in plastic reconstructive surgery have been adapted for the purpose of rejuvenation and aesthetic enhancement of the patients.

The word "plastic" comes from the Greek word plastikos, meaning "to mold or shape." Many of the first plastic surgeries were developed to close a difficult wound or replace tissue lost due to injury or cancer. These procedures often involved the formation of a skin flap to reshape or mold the defect so as to approximate the original shape.

The cosmetic surgery element of plastic surgery has also been assisted by developments in the technology. Lasers have gradually expanded from the field of tumour destruction to the delicate process of skin rejuvenation and correction of some skin blemishes with minimal and sometimes no visible scarring. The techniques of implant reconstruction have developed into the ability to also enhance the facial and bodily appearance.