Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery is a broad term. Essentially, it refers to the use of surgical procedures to restore the body’s form and / or function.

Often, the term reconstructive surgery is equated with plastic surgery. While the two share much in common, they have fundamentally different goals. Both forms of surgery aim to improve the appearance of the body, but reconstructive surgery is only performed on bodies that appear abnormal. Also, reconstructive surgery places a strong emphasis on bodily function, whereas plastic surgery patients sometimes sacrifice function in favor of appearance.

For example, breast augmentation is a form of plastic surgery, but it is not considered to be reconstructive surgery if it is performed for purely cosmetic reasons. Hip replacement surgery and most knee surgery procedures, on the other hand, aren't considered to be plastic surgery, but they are a form of reconstructive surgery.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. In the U.S. alone, there are more than one million reconstructive surgeries performed every year.
  2. Reconstructive surgery patients typically fall into one of two categories: those with congenital deformities (birth defects) and those with developmental deformities (those that arise out of disease, infection, injury or aging).
  3. Some of the most common types of reconstructive surgery include facial reconstruction, cleft lip and cleft palate reconstruction, scar revision and breast reconstruction.
  4. Reconstructive surgery has a very high success rate.
  5. Because the different types of reconstructive surgery are so different, it’s best to find a surgeon who is experienced in performing the surgery that you need.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Am I a good candidate for reconstructive surgery?
  2. What are the risks associated with the type of reconstructive surgery that I need?
  3. Are there any nonsurgical alternatives that I should explore?

Also Known As: Plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery

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