Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery is the branch of medicine that is the most similar to art.
The correction of different body parts by means of surgical techniques not only makes patients feel better about themselves, but can be the necessary turning point in order to leave behind traumas and complications impeding the individual's normal development.
In addition, Reconstructive Surgery is responsible for restoring the appearance of those patients who have suffered deformations to their body because of traumas, congenital diseases or tumours, for example as occurs with mastectomies.
If accuracy and professionalism is important in all areas of medicine, in this area, it is even more important. During the consultation, the individual must always be informed about what can be done and what the realistic expectations are, and an agreement must be reached between the doctor and the patient regarding the treatment to be followed.
Facial surgery
LOur face is our business card, the first thing that we show of ourselves. With current techniques, it is possible to mitigate the effects of time. Sad and tired eyes, a nose which is too prominent or ears which stick out and are the subject of teasing by children at school can be corrected.
Surgical procedures
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Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
The elimination of eye bags can be achieved through the removal of excess fat and skin that make up the eyelids, and the repositioning of the tissues and affected structures. Upper eyelid surgery is not usually carried out at the same time as lower eyelid surgery. -
Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
There are many and varied techniques that can be applied to reshape the nose. In some cases, collaboration between a plastic surgeon and an ear, nose and throat surgeon is necessary when it involves correcting respiratory problems with a "septoplasty", for example. -
Ear correction surgery (otoplasty)
This is usually one of the less complex surgical procedures and tends to be more rewarding for patients (in particular children). Through a series of techniques, it is possible to reshape the pinna, reducing it or giving it the proper shape. -
Chin surgery
In some cases, the aim is to increase the projection of the chin and, in other cases, the aim is exactly the opposite. For an increase, a prosthetic implant is used, whereas for a decrease the removal of excess bone will be necessary. -
Facelifts
- Forehead-temple facelift: Through the stretching and realigning of the skin's internal structures in the upper third of the face, it is possible to remove, or at least reduce, forehead wrinkles and, where applicable, raise the eyebrows.
- Face and neck lift: This can be carried out together with the forehead-temple lift or they can be performed separately. In this case, tautened areas of skin, the removal of excess fat and the realignment of the internal structures affect the face and neck. It is also common that, at the same time as carrying out surgical procedures of the eyelids (blepharoplasty) and nose, wrinkles on the face and neck are removed.
- Forehead-temple facelift: Through the stretching and realigning of the skin's internal structures in the upper third of the face, it is possible to remove, or at least reduce, forehead wrinkles and, where applicable, raise the eyebrows.
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Lip augmentation
If you wish to increase the size of your lips permanently, you will need to have silicone implants or synthetic fillers made of substances that are not reabsorbed by your own body.
Body Surgery
Current cosmetic surgery procedures of the body are aimed increasingly at treating the body as a whole. Therefore, for example when liposuction of the limbs or the abdomen is performed, the fat removed is usually reused and injected into another area to contour it.
We have not included breast surgery in this section. Due to its importance, it is discussed in a specific section.
Surgical procedures
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Liposculpture
As we have already mentioned, excess fat from the abdomen or thighs, for example, is extracted and, after the process of centrifugation, it is injected into the breasts, for example, where, in addition to being increased in volume, they will gain enhancement and turgidity. -
Tummy tuck
This is often combined with abdominal liposuction. This procedure is not suitable for very obese people. Instead, it is aimed at patients who have a distended abdomen. A flabby stomach often occurs after pregnancy or due to significant weight variations.
In many cases, it involves the plication of the rectus abdominis muscles to correct their distension.
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Arm lift and thigh lift
Whether due to age, an operation to tackle obesity or other causes, both the skin of the arms and that of the thighs may have distended and it may be necessary to remove the excess skin to recover its tautness. -
Buttock augmentation
In some countries, such as Brazil, enhancing the buttocks of women has become more important than enhancing their breasts. Just as with breast augmentation there is the possibility of fillers with the individual's own fat, but this is a temporary solution since the fat will be reabsorbed over time. The definitive solution involves some suitable implants. -
Calf augmentation
This is much less common than augmentation of the buttocks and, of course, the breasts, but it is an option to take into account.
Breast Surgery
Breast enlargement is the most frequently requested plastic surgery in Spain, but there are other breast operations that, without being so numerous, have major relevance.
Surgical procedures
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Breast enlargement
There are two important aspects to consider prior to breast enlargement surgery. Firstly, you must choose the appropriate prosthesis, both in size and in shape and texture. The second aspect to be taken into account is the location where the prostheses will be placed: subglandular, submuscular or subfascial.There are 3D simulation tools, based on simulation with bras that, together with the experience of the surgeon, will help make the choice.
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Breast reduction
Many women have major back problems because of big breasts. More than due to the weight, as people think, it is due to the posture that the woman adopts to try to hide her breasts. -
Mastopexie
This surgery is intended to correct sagging breasts. On many occasions, it is carried out alongside breast reduction.It involves the repositioning of the nipple-areolar complex. This can affect the milk ducts, which is why it is a disadvantage for breastfeeding.
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Tuberous breasts
Tuberous breasts are caused by alterations in the development of the mammary glands. These are more or less herniated and they present an exaggerated swelling of the nipple and the areola, while there is an under-development of the upper, lower or both poles of the breast.It is characteristic that, in addition to their tubular shape, both breasts are uneven.
It is probably the most complex breast surgery together with reconstructions following mastectomy.
Reconstructive Surgery
There is a degree of debate when it comes to classifying some surgeries as being of a cosmetic or reconstructive nature. There is consensus in cases of burns, mastectomies or some congenital malformations, of course, in classifying them as restorative or reconstructive procedures.
Surgical procedures
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Breast reconstruction
The number of breast tumours in developed countries has been increasing in recent times. In many of these cases, the removal of one or both breasts becomes unavoidable.The psychological impact that being deprived of her breasts has on a woman has meant that recently, and at the request of the Spanish Society of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (SECPRE), the inclusion of reconstructive units in public hospitals has been approved in Spain.
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Skin tumours
Just like breast tumours, the different types of skin tumours have also increased considerably.In the case of melanomas (malignant tumours) the safety area that their removal requires means that the reconstruction work is more complex, sometimes with flaps of skin obtained from other areas of the body.