Myths and Facts of Plastic surgery

Myth1 : Plastic Surgery is called plastic surgery because it involves the use of plastic. The word plastic was derived from the Greek word, \"Plastikos\" which means \"to mould\", which gave rise to the term Plastic surgery. Although silicon and other types of implants are used in plastic surgery, it is the art of remodeling of the tissues which gave rise to this name - Plastic Surgery. Myth2: There are no scar marks left after plastic surgery. All plastic surgeries heal with scars. Plastic surgeons are trained for delicate tissue handling and making tissue incisions in strategic positions to minimize their visibility. Because of this and the use of fine sutures, the quality of scar is much better after a plastic surgical procedure is done. Proper post- operative care of the scar further minimizes the scar to some extent. Myth3: Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery are the same Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic. Plastic surgery has got a very broad spectrum and can be divided into further subspecialties like Hand Surgery, Microsurgery, Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric plastic surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgery is mostly involved with the improvement of function first and then form and looks. Myth4: Plastic Surgery is very costly. Most of the plastic surgery procedures are affordable to the common people. The vast majority of people undergoing plastic surgery are the common people. It is probably because of the glamour associated with the term plastic surgery, that it is considered very expensive. Myth5: Entire face can be changed by plastic surgery This statement is not entirely a myth, Cadaveric face transplants have been done successfully in some countries. However it needs prolonged immunosuppression, and long-term results are yet to be

evaluated.It will take a couple of years before face transplantations will be regularly performed in India. As of now, improvement in certain aspects like hair, nose, eyes, chin can be made using Plastic Surgery. Myth6: Plastic and cosmetic surgery are very risky. The risk involved in plastic surgery is similar to the risk involved in other surgeries. Myth7: Plastic surgeries are possible at specialized centers and corporates hospitals only. Apart from corporate hospitals, plastic surgery is routinely being done across many government institutes as well as a smaller clinic in India TIPS is one such clinic located in Chandigarh, which has one of the best plastic surgeons in India with more than 40 years of experience.