Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery Defined

Definition: Plastic surgery is the division of medicine concerned with enhancing the appearance of the body.

Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on repairing damage that has been done to the body by an accident, surgery or an abnormality the patient was born with, such as a cleft palate.

Cosmetic surgery is used to make improvements in the appearance of the patient, whether that is to make the patient look younger or to improve the appearance of an area(s) of the body.

Reconstruction of the Breast After Mastectomy

Also Known As: reconstructive surgery, plastics, cosmetic surgery

Alternate Spellings: plastique

Examples: The patient went to see a plastic surgeon to discuss her options for reconstruction of her breasts after a mastectomy for breast cancer.