Plastic Surgery Vocabulary Flashcards
Abdominoplasty
Also known as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is an operation that tightens the abdominal muscles, smoothens the stomach area and, in some instances, improves stretch marks
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from foods, such as fruits and milk; they can improve the texture of skin by removing layers of dead cells and by promoting cell regeneration
Bariatric Surgery
Dramatic weight-loss surgery performed to help obese patients lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach. Common procedures include gastric bypass and lap band (adjustable gastric band) surgery
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery used to restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance to the eyelids by reducing the fatty bags beneath the eyes and removing wrinkled, drooping layers of skin in the upper eyelids
Breast Implants
A medical device consisting of a silicone envelope filled with saline (saltwater) solution or silicone gel. Breast implants are used to increase breast size or fullness, restore breast symmetry or shape, and/or reconstruct breasts after cancer surgery. Current implants come in a range of sizes, profiles and projections
Breast Implant Replacement
Breast implants are not lifetime devices and may need to be replaced because of implant failure (rupture), capsular contracture (scar contracture) or natural changes in the body (such as weight-loss or childbirth)
Cellulite
The dimpled-looking fat that often appears on the buttocks, thighs, hips and sometimes on the abdomen or upper arm
Depilation
Removal of hair from the body.
Electrolysis
A method of hair removal that uses electrical currents sent directly into the follicle to stop hair growth permanently. It is commonly used for patients with very light hair or those who are not candidates for laser hair removal
Lip Lift
A technique that surgically lifts the corners of the aging mouth and eliminates the pronounced droop and unhappy facial expression that often develops with advanced age. By cutting away small diamonds of skin just above the corners of the mouth, the vermilion (border of the lips) is raised into a slight smile
Liposuction
Also known as lipoplasty (“fat modeling”), liposculpture, or suction lipectomy (“suction-assisted fat removal”). A surgical procedure for fat removal from different areas of the body. The plastic surgeon manipulates the cannula within the fatty layers under the skin, dislodging the fat and “vacuuming” it out. Liposuction equipment must be FDA approved
Plastic Surgeon
A doctor who specializes in cosmetic and/or reconstructive surgery with the goal of improving the function and/or appearance of a body part. Board certification in plastic surgery is granted by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Silicone Gel-Filled Implants
Silicone gel-filled implants consist of a solid silicone envelope that is filled with cohesive silicone gel. If silicone implants rupture, it may not be immediately obvious. Current FDA recommendations include getting an MRI every other year, starting with the third year, to look for silent ruptures. With the recent FDA approval of form-stable implants often referred to as “gummy bear” implants, all women over 22 years of age seeking cosmetic breast augmentation and women seeking breast reconstruction surgery will be able to select among a wide range of sizes, shapes and projections of silicone gel-filled breast implants