Facial plastic surgery is a comprehensive subspecialty of otolaryngology surgery (a medical specialization concerned with the throat, ears, and nose). This includes reconstructive and aesthetic treatments and the use of lasers, neural modulators, biomaterials, injectable fillers, and supplementary adjunct resources to improve skin rejuvenation.
Chin augmentation (genioplasty), nose job (rhinoplasty), ear relocation (otoplasty), eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), facelift (rhytidectomy), liposuction, fat transfer, and browlift are all common facial cosmetic surgery operations.
Although many cosmetic surgeons have extensive practices that include both aesthetic and reconstructive treatments, facial plastic surgery is traditionally classified into reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. While some of these procedures may be similar, the need arising for each procedure differs.
Why is Facial Plastic Surgery Carried Out?
People who seek this procedure may aim to improve the features of the face to look more proportionate to one another, correct contour flaws, or reverse the effects of aging. Some of the changes that result from aging are loose skin, fine forehead lines, jawline contour loss, double chin, crow’s feet on the eyes, sagging jowl, and decreased tissue volume (especially around the neck and face).
For others, they may be driven by a desire to modify a feature that was present at birth or restructure the face following an accident or sickness.
Before you consider facial plastic surgery, consult and discuss the options with a surgeon. Factor your objectives and the potential advantages and risks of varying operations. Your operation is planned once you and the surgeon have agreed on a course of therapy. Depending on your circumstances, surgery may be performed as an inpatient or outpatient procedure.
Differentiation Between a General Plastic Surgeon and a Facial One
Facial cosmetic surgeons, as opposed to generic plastic surgeons, concentrate on treatments and surgeries affecting anatomical structure from the neck upwards. In actuality, general plastic surgery, dermatology (a discipline of medicine that deals with the skin), ophthalmology (the study of eye-related medical disorders), and oral maxillofacial surgery (dentists who treat deformities, disorders, aesthetic elements, and injuries of the jaws, teeth, mouth, and face) all have substantial crossover and overlap.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists have additional training and skill in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
Plastic Surgery versus Cosmetic Surgery
While plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are closely interrelated, they aren’t similar. While many plastic surgeons opt to further their education and carry out aesthetic surgery, the foundation of their surgical training is in reconstructive plastic surgery.
Cosmetic elective operations are carried out by specialists from a wide range of medical specialities, including plastic surgeons. These techniques, treatments, and philosophies are solely focused on improving a patient’s look. Cosmetic surgeons can perform aesthetic surgery on any part of the neck, head, or body. Cosmetic operations are considered elective since they address regions that function normally. The primary aims are to improve proportion, symmetry, and visual appeal.
Plastic surgery is a speciality devoted to the medical rehabilitation of bodily and facial deformities caused by birth defects, burns, illness, and trauma. Plastic surgery, by definition, is intended to address dysfunctional features of the body. It’s reconstructive in design.
Qualifications of Facial Plastic Surgeons
A trustable plastic surgeon is one who has existing membership of the (ASPS) American Society of Plastic Surgeons. To achieve this qualification, they must meet rigorous requirements. These are:
- Successfully complete thorough written and oral examinations.
- Endorsement from the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) or, in Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
- Facial plastic surgeons undertake an otolaryngology residency training that is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. This includes a 1-2 year facial cosmetic surgeries fellowship.
- Surgery should be performed in recognized, state-licensed facilities.
- Graduation from a medical educational institution that is accredited.
- Be an American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(AAFPRS) diplomat.
- After medical college, complete surgical training for a minimum of six years, including plastic surgery resident training for at least three years.
- Each year, undertake continuous medical education, which includes patient safety.
Training Requirements
The training requirements for a cosmetic surgeon vary from those of a plastic surgeon. These are classified as follows:
American Board of Plastic Surgery
The training requirements for this category include:
- Hand surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Reconstructive surgery
- Disorders
- Congenital defect repair
- And cosmetic surgery
American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Under this category, there is a broad spectrum. These include:
- Tummy tuck
- Face surgery
- Liposuction
- Breast surgery
- Other cosmetic surgeries
Advancements in the Industry
Another typical treatment performed by a facial plastic surgeon is the facelift. Facelifts were initially lobbied for over a century ago, and the treatment entailed numerous incisions and stretching the skin tighter on the face. The typical incision is now done in front of the ear, continuing up to the hairline and curling around the base of the lobule before finishing behind the ear. Patients’ wants and aspirations have mostly motivating advancements in facelift operations. Patients today want minimally invasive treatments with minimal postoperative downtime.
How To Identify an Ideal Location for Facial Plastic Surgery
It is now easier to get plastic surgery with the thousands of surgeons available. But separating the chaff from the wheat is equally important for a patient. At a minimum, consider a plastic surgeon who has been accredited by governing bodies and certified. Proven experience and results is also a must-have. Simply put, the next time you go to see a plastic surgeon, he/she should be able to offer you a comprehensive consultation and allow you to ask crucial questions.