Plastic Surgery Vocabulary

Question 1

Abdominoplasty

Answer 1

Also known as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is an operation that tightens the abdominal muscles, smoothens the stomach area and, in some instances, improves stretch marks

Question 2

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Answer 2

Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from foods, such as fruits and milk; they can improve the texture of skin by removing layers of dead cells and by promoting cell regeneration

Question 3

Bariatric Surgery

Answer 3

Dramatic weight-loss surgery performed to help obese patients lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach. Common procedures include gastric bypass and lap band (adjustable gastric band) surgery

Question 4

Blepharoplasty

Answer 4

Eyelid surgery used to restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance to the eyelids by reducing the fatty bags beneath the eyes and removing wrinkled, drooping layers of skin in the upper eyelids

Question 5

Breast Implants

Answer 5

A medical device consisting of a silicone envelope filled with saline (saltwater) solution or silicone gel. Breast implants are used to increase breast size or fullness, restore breast symmetry or shape, and/or reconstruct breasts after cancer surgery. Current implants come in a range of sizes, profiles and projections

Question 6

Breast Implant Replacement

Answer 6

Breast implants are not lifetime devices and may need to be replaced because of implant failure (rupture), capsular contracture (scar contracture) or natural changes in the body (such as weight-loss or childbirth)

Question 7

Cellulite

Answer 7

The dimpled-looking fat that often appears on the buttocks, thighs, hips and sometimes on the abdomen or upper arm

Question 8

Depilation

Answer 8

Removal of hair from the body.

Question 9

Electrolysis

Answer 9

A method of hair removal that uses electrical currents sent directly into the follicle to stop hair growth permanently. It is commonly used for patients with very light hair or those who are not candidates for laser hair removal

Question 10

Lip Lift

Answer 10

A technique that surgically lifts the corners of the aging mouth and eliminates the pronounced droop and unhappy facial expression that often develops with advanced age. By cutting away small diamonds of skin just above the corners of the mouth, the vermilion (border of the lips) is raised into a slight smile

Question 11

Liposuction

Answer 11

Also known as lipoplasty (“fat modeling”), liposculpture, or suction lipectomy (“suction-assisted fat removal”). A surgical procedure for fat removal from different areas of the body. The plastic surgeon manipulates the cannula within the fatty layers under the skin, dislodging the fat and “vacuuming” it out. Liposuction equipment must be FDA approved

Question 12

Plastic Surgeon

Answer 12

A doctor who specializes in cosmetic and/or reconstructive surgery with the goal of improving the function and/or appearance of a body part. Board certification in plastic surgery is granted by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Question 13

Silicone Gel-Filled Implants

Answer 13

Silicone gel-filled implants consist of a solid silicone envelope that is filled with cohesive silicone gel. If silicone implants rupture, it may not be immediately obvious. Current FDA recommendations include getting an MRI every other year, starting with the third year, to look for silent ruptures. With the recent FDA approval of form-stable implants often referred to as “gummy bear” implants, all women over 22 years of age seeking cosmetic breast augmentation and women seeking breast reconstruction surgery will be able to select among a wide range of sizes, shapes and projections of silicone gel-filled breast implants