Glossary
Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is an aesthetic procedure to surgically alter the appearance of the nose. Depending on the extent of surgery, rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia. Nasal packs and an external cast are fixed after surgery. In most cases the nasal pack is removed the day after surgery. If an external cast was fixed this is usually removed 7 - 10 days after surgery. Bruising can be expected following rhinoplasty surgery and normally subsides after approximately 2 weeks. Some swelling can be expected for 306 months. The chance of infection is very low (0.1-0.5%) and some surgeons use antibiotics as a preventative measure. Breathing difficulties may be expected for 2-3 weeks following rhinoplasty surgery.
Otoplasty: Otoplasty is a surgical correction of prominent ears (pinning of the ears). The width and positioning of the ears usually don't change at all or very little after the age of 10 years and otoplasty surgery can be performed from this age. Dressings have to be worn for just over a week following surgery and a can be replaced with a head band which needs to be worn at night for another 3 weeks.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck surgery): Abdominoplasty is surgical removal of excess skin and fat on the upper and lower abdominal area. Pregnancy or weight loss causes stretching and loss of elasticity of the skin. Patients planning tummy tuck surgery should ideally have a BMI of less than 30. Abdominoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia and patients is normally discharged from hospital 2-3 days following surgery. Drains are usually removed when patient is discharged, in some cases however patients are discharged with drain still in place. Most patients receive prophylactic antibiotics, anti thrombosis medication and compression stockings.
Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty): Breast reduction surgery reduces the size of large, hypertrophied breasts and repositions the nipples. The aim of breast reduction surgery is to reduce the weight and volume of the breasts and at the same time to position the areola in an aesthetically correct position. The rare condition of massively enlarged breasts is called gigantomastia. Patients may suffer from physical and psychological problems. (for example neck, back and shoulder pain, problems caused by bra straps, infections in the crease of the breasts, restriction in sports activities, difficulty in finding well fitting clothes etc.) The patient's BMI should be less than 30 before undergoing breast reduction surgery. Should a patient's BMI be above 30 weight loss is advisable as this will reduce the possibility of post operative complications considerably. Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and a drain is fixed on each breast. Drains are normally removed the day after breast reduction surgery but the surgeon might decide to leave the drain for 2-3 days following surgery. Patients need to wear a well fitting sports bra for 4-6 weeks, day and night, to give the breasts the necessary support. Prophylactic antibiotics and anti-thrombosis medication might be given.
Mastopexy (breast lift): Surgical uplift of the breasts which does not involve the reduction of breast tissue, treats drooping breasts. With ageing, the breasts have less glands and more fatty tissues and are generally less firm which causes drooping. Also after pregnancy or weight loss. The breast lift is usually performed under general anaesthetic and the patients in most cases is discharged the day after surgery. A support bra should be worn for 4-6 weeks following surgery.
Breast augmentation (breast enlargement): A surgical enhancement of the breast size by inserting an implant under the breast tissue. Breast implants are either filled with cohesive silicone gel or with saline and come in round and anatomical shapes. The implant's surface is either smooth or textured. Most surgeons prefer to use implants with the textures surface as this reduced the risk of capsular contracture. Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and the patients is normally discharged the day afte surgery.
Anaesthesia: lack of a normal sensation brought on by an anesthetic drug.
Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift): a procedure in which the physician surgically removes excess fat, muscle, and skin from both the upper and lower eyelids to redefine the shape of the eye.
Plastic surgery: the surgical specialty that deals with the reconstruction of facial and body tissue that requires a reshaping or remolding due to disease, a defect, or disorder - in order to approximate a normal appearance or to repair working ability.
Breast augmentation (breast enlargement): Surgical procedure which involves the use of a prosthetic implant to increase the size or change the appearance of the breast.
Gynecomastia (male breast reduction): Excessive development of the male mammary gland, benign growth of the male breast tissue.
Cosmetic surgery: Surgery which has the purpose to improve and alter appearance
Reconstructive surgery: Surgical procedure to restore, construct or reconstruct the shape and appearance of the body and facial structures which are missing, deformed, damaged or misshapen.
Facelift: Surgical procedure to reduce the signs of ageing from the face or neck.
Liposuction: Removal of body fat from the contours of the body with a suction device.
