| Plastic Surgery: What is it and How Did We Get Here? By C. Wesley Bean, MD |
As a surgical specialty, Plastic Surgery may be one of the oldest. Documentation exists for the use of surgical means to correct facial
injuries dating back more than 4,000 years in the Egyptian papyruses, and physicians in India were utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive
work as early as 800 B.C. Many of these early techniques were developed to address battle injuries sustained by the soldiers of the day.
Indeed, the more modern history of plastic surgery is closely tied to war. It was World War I that brought plastic surgery to the forefront
within the medical community. The advent of modern weaponry brought with it extensive facial and head injuries the likes of which had never
been seen before. These injuries required aggressive new innovations in reconstructive surgery. These techniques were further refined
during World War II. It was during the course of these aggressive reconstructive procedures that surgeons began to realize the influence
that one’s appearance could have on the degree of success a person may have in their life. This realization perhaps laid the groundwork for
purely cosmetic plastic surgery.
By the 1950’s, plastic surgery was recognized as a separate specialty with a board certification in place. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the
more contemporary image of the plastic surgeon began to develop with more emphasis on cosmetic procedures. Purely cosmetic
procedures have become progressively more accepted by the public, particularly as the “baby boomer” population ages. Plastic surgery can
still be roughly divided into reconstructive and cosmetic categories. While there are plastic surgeons that do only cosmetic surgery, most are
also involved with reconstructive procedures.
Reconstructive plastic surgery includes trauma reconstruction, cleft lip and palate repair, cancer reconstruction, and hand surgery.
Subspecialties have also developed within the specialty. Craniofacial surgeons deal with cleft lip and palate reconstruction, as well as other
more complex congenital deformities of the head and neck. Micro surgeons specialize in the transfer of tissue from one area of the body to
another by reconnection of microscopic blood vessels and nerves. In all cases, reconstructive surgery is dedicated to restoring normal
function and appearance as much as is possible.
Cosmetic surgery is an ever-broadening specialty directed at improving appearance. Breast augmentation is perhaps the procedure most
associated with cosmetic surgery with the first silicone breast implants being placed in 1962. Liposuction has also become a staple of
cosmetic surgery over the past 25 years. The more recent emphasis has been on non-surgical techniques such as botox, injectable fillers,
or laser treatments and minimally invasive surgical procedures with the goal being maximum improvement in appearance with minimal
recovery time.
Whether you require reconstructive surgery or are interested in cosmetic improvement, pick your plastic surgeon carefully. Be sure that
your surgeon is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and preferably a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
These qualifications will assure you that he has been specifically trained to perform both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
Additionally, find a surgeon with whom you can communicate and who will take the time to understand your goals. A little research and visits
to more than one plastic surgeon may result in a much more satisfying plastic surgery experience. And remember, some plastic surgeons
may have particular expertise in your area of need. Check his or her website or check with your primary care physician to help match you
with the appropriate surgeon.
Dr. C. Wesley Bean is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with The Head and Neck Specialty Group of New Hampshire. He is certified by
The American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. After sixteen years service in the United
States Army, he and his family have now relocated to New Hampshire. For more information call (603) 692-4500 or visit our website at
www.ent-surgeon.com. Dr. Bean is now affliated with Frisbee Memorial Hospital located at 11 Whitehall Rd., Rochester, NH. For more
information call 603-332-5211 or visit their website at www.frisbeehospital.com.
injuries dating back more than 4,000 years in the Egyptian papyruses, and physicians in India were utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive
work as early as 800 B.C. Many of these early techniques were developed to address battle injuries sustained by the soldiers of the day.
Indeed, the more modern history of plastic surgery is closely tied to war. It was World War I that brought plastic surgery to the forefront
within the medical community. The advent of modern weaponry brought with it extensive facial and head injuries the likes of which had never
been seen before. These injuries required aggressive new innovations in reconstructive surgery. These techniques were further refined
during World War II. It was during the course of these aggressive reconstructive procedures that surgeons began to realize the influence
that one’s appearance could have on the degree of success a person may have in their life. This realization perhaps laid the groundwork for
purely cosmetic plastic surgery.
By the 1950’s, plastic surgery was recognized as a separate specialty with a board certification in place. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the
more contemporary image of the plastic surgeon began to develop with more emphasis on cosmetic procedures. Purely cosmetic
procedures have become progressively more accepted by the public, particularly as the “baby boomer” population ages. Plastic surgery can
still be roughly divided into reconstructive and cosmetic categories. While there are plastic surgeons that do only cosmetic surgery, most are
also involved with reconstructive procedures.
Reconstructive plastic surgery includes trauma reconstruction, cleft lip and palate repair, cancer reconstruction, and hand surgery.
Subspecialties have also developed within the specialty. Craniofacial surgeons deal with cleft lip and palate reconstruction, as well as other
more complex congenital deformities of the head and neck. Micro surgeons specialize in the transfer of tissue from one area of the body to
another by reconnection of microscopic blood vessels and nerves. In all cases, reconstructive surgery is dedicated to restoring normal
function and appearance as much as is possible.
Cosmetic surgery is an ever-broadening specialty directed at improving appearance. Breast augmentation is perhaps the procedure most
associated with cosmetic surgery with the first silicone breast implants being placed in 1962. Liposuction has also become a staple of
cosmetic surgery over the past 25 years. The more recent emphasis has been on non-surgical techniques such as botox, injectable fillers,
or laser treatments and minimally invasive surgical procedures with the goal being maximum improvement in appearance with minimal
recovery time.
Whether you require reconstructive surgery or are interested in cosmetic improvement, pick your plastic surgeon carefully. Be sure that
your surgeon is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and preferably a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
These qualifications will assure you that he has been specifically trained to perform both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
Additionally, find a surgeon with whom you can communicate and who will take the time to understand your goals. A little research and visits
to more than one plastic surgeon may result in a much more satisfying plastic surgery experience. And remember, some plastic surgeons
may have particular expertise in your area of need. Check his or her website or check with your primary care physician to help match you
with the appropriate surgeon.
Dr. C. Wesley Bean is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with The Head and Neck Specialty Group of New Hampshire. He is certified by
The American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. After sixteen years service in the United
States Army, he and his family have now relocated to New Hampshire. For more information call (603) 692-4500 or visit our website at
www.ent-surgeon.com. Dr. Bean is now affliated with Frisbee Memorial Hospital located at 11 Whitehall Rd., Rochester, NH. For more
information call 603-332-5211 or visit their website at www.frisbeehospital.com.
The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.