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Plastic Surgery Demystifyed: Wesley G. Schooler, M.D.
Dr. Wesley Schooler will be a regular contributor to Palacinka.com on all aspects of cosmetic surgery and cosmetic in-office procedures. In this first column, Dr. Schooler gives an overview of cosmetic surgery. If you would like to contact him directly for any questions or for a consultation, please see his contact information at the end of his column.
The increased media exposure to plastic surgery, including reality shows like The Swan, Extreme Makeover and dr90210, and fictional shows like Nip/Tuck have glamorized and often trivialized the risks and demands of plastic surgery. While these programs have demystified plastic surgery, and shown the many positive benefits in patients, they have unfortunately, not done as good a job of educating patients on the risks and complications associated with plastic surgery. As more surgeons perform procedures in outpatient surgicenters and offices, patient safety has come to the forefront of the agenda of the medical societies like the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgery).
Unfortunately, it has taken the tragic death of a celebrity’s mother, Donda West, mother of music star Kanye West, to bring the risks of surgery to the limelight. Patient safety in performing these procedures includes physician competence, diligence and integrity, and honesty on the part of both the doctor and the patient. Prolonged surgery under one anesthetic to perform an “extreme makeover” can be just as dangerous as a patient who fails to disclose and cardiac condition because they really want a procedure done.
While traditional aesthetic plastic surgery focused on diminishing the effects of aging, particularly in the wealthy Caucasian population, increased media exposure combined with the higher socioeconomic status of many African-American, Asian and Latino patients has fostered the increased demand for plastic surgical procedures among people of numerous ethnic backgrounds.
With the advances in technique, technology and patient safety, plastic surgery can be a wonderful experience to enhance the natural beauty of women of all colors.
Plastic surgery is actually one of the broadest and complex fields of medicine. While most people usually associate plastic surgery with aesthetic or cosmetic surgery, it also includes complex reconstructive surgery of the face, trunk and extremities after trauma, cancer or congenital deformities, hand surgery, burn care, microsurgery and craniofacial surgery. The term plastic surgery was derived from the Greek work plastikos, which means to give shape or form. While a significant portion of plastic surgery involves reconstructive surgery, the recent popularity and interest in aesthetic procedures has been amplified by the explosion of reality television shows over the last ten years. The expansive availability of information on the internet has also contributed to the interest, excitement and confusion of plastic surgery.
Extra Info
One point of confusion relates to the terms aesthetic surgery, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery, which are loosely used in everything from billboards to internet advertising.
Cosmetic surgery -- often used as a blanket term in advertising by practitioners who may not have formal residency or fellowship training in aesthetic procedures.
Aesthetic surgery -- is performed by a broad variety of medical practitioners, including Plastic surgeons, Facial Plastic Surgeons (Otorhinolaryngology trained), Oculoplastic Surgeons (Ophthalmology trained), Oral Surgeons and Dermatologists. All of these specialties have extensive training programs and board certification.
Aesthetic surgical procedures include a broad range from minimally invasive procedures like dermal fillers and botox injections to total body lift procedures after significant weight loss.
Plastic surgery -- Plastic surgeons, for instance, must pass rigorous written and oral examinations by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to become board certified. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also publishes guidelines to promote the safe delivery of aesthetic surgery to patients. Additionally, a combination of increased demand for plastic surgery and difficulty with insurance reimbursement has prompted other medical specialties to perform “plastic surgical” procedures related to their field of expertise. For example, some Gynecologists routinely perform vaginal rejuvenation procedures.
--Wesley G Schooler MD
Wesley G Schooler MD Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Microsurgery
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
Division of Plastic Surgery
USC University Surgeons
1450 San Pablo St.
Ste. 2000
Los Angeles, CA 90033-4680
(323)442-6470
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