Medical Terms Explained - Cosmetic Surgery

A

Abdominoplasty

(Commonly referred to as a tummy tuck) a surgical procedure performed to minimise the abdominal area by removing extra fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall.

Acne

A skin condition characterised by the excess production of oil from sebaceous glands in which the hair follicles become inflamed. Acne is characterized by black heads, pimple outbreaks, cysts, infected abscesses, and (sometimes) scarring.

Acne scar

Scars caused by severe acne which range from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance.

Anaesthesia

A type of medication used to relieve pain or feeling during surgery; usual forms of anaesthesia are either general or local.

Antioxidant

A chemical compound or substance that inhibits oxidation

B

Blepharoplasty

(Commonly referred to as eye-lift) cosmetic eyelid surgery performed to counteract the effects of aging upon eyelid tissues (bags and bulges). The removal of excess skin, muscle, and underlying fatty tissue is used to raise upper eyelids and reduce bagginess from lower eyelids redefining the shape of the eye. Wrinkles can also be reduced through blepharoplasty.

Botox

A substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax.

Botox® is a purified protein produced by Clostridium Botulinum bacteria which induces long-term relaxation of contracted muscles. It was originally used to treat eye spasms and central nervous system disorders.

Botox® has been used for Cosmetic Treatments since the late 1980's, revolutionizing the cosmetic industry due to its remarkable results combined with very few risks and no recovery time.

Breast augmentation

(Commonly referred to as breast enlargement) a surgical procedure which involves the use of a prosthetic implant to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts

Brow lift

A surgical procedure in which the skin of the forehead and eyebrows is tightened to eliminate sagging eyebrows or correct frown lines in the forehead

Buttock Lift

Reduction of excess fat and loose skin in the buttock region by performing a buttock lift in combination with liposuction.

C

Calf Augmentation

A procedure designed to help one achieve the appearance of muscular calves by using implants made of hard silicone which are inserted from behind the knee and moved into position underneath the calf muscle.

Cannula

A soft plastic tube attached to a high-vacuum device and inserted in a cavity to remove fat through liposuction.

Capsular contracture

A complication that may occur after breast surgery; a capsule of scar tissue forms and shrinks around a breast implant that causes hardness, distortion and sometimes pain

Cheek / Chin Augmentation

Surgery where implants are placed in the cheeks or chin to improve bone structure and support sagging, soft tissues.

Chemical peel

A process which removes the superficial layers of skin with a chemical agent to remove dead skins cells, wrinkles and age spots and stimulate the re-growth of new skin cells

Collagen

A structural protein that is the main support of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and connective tissue.

Consultant

A specialist on the GMC register holding a consultant post in the NHS.

Cosmetic surgery

(Also known as plastic surgery) an elective procedure which has the purpose of reshaping normal structures in the body in order to improve appearance

Crows Feet

The fine lines found around the eyes. They are often caused by sun exposure; however, smoking also contributes to their formation.

D

Dermabrasion

A procedure which removes the top layer of the skin to improve its texture. A power-driven sander or dermatome is used to reduce or remove pitting cause by acne and wrinkles and spots caused by aging and sun. This procedure is less likely to cause extreme changes in skin colour than a chemical peel.

F

Fat injections

A plastic surgery technique used to correct wrinkles, depressions in the skin, and/or scarring.

G

Gynecomastia

A condition in which the male's breast tissue enlarges as a result of excessive development of the male mammary gland. This increase in tissue usually occurs at times when the male is having hormonal changes, such as during infancy, adolescence, and old age; sometimes it can just be a case of extra fat.

H

Haematoma

Blood that collects under the skin or in an organ which results in a solid swelling

I

Incision

A surgical procedure where a cut is made in the body with a sharp instrument during an operation.

Inflammation

response of body tissues to injury or irritation resulting in redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area

K

Keratin

This dominant protein is your skin's main material, as well as in hair and nails.

L

Liposuction

(Also known as Lipoplasty) a cosmetic procedure in which a special instrument called a cannula is used to break up and remove localised areas of body fat from the contours of the body with the use of suction-pump device.

M

Mastectomy

The surgical removal of part or the entire breast.

Mastopexy

(Commonly known as a breast lift) this procedure relocated the nipple and areola and removes excess skin from the lower part of the breast in order to lift up and reshape sagging or drooping breasts.

Mini tummy tuck

The removal of excess skin and fat; this procedure is ideal for individuals who have fat deposits limited to the area below the navel.

O

Otoplasty

(Also known as Pinnaplasty) a surgical procedure aimed at setting prominent ears closer to the head, or reducing or correct misshaped or protruding ears

P

Photo-aging

The changes that occur to the skin due to exposure to the sun. This includes wrinkles and age spots

Pre-existing condition

Any illness, injury or disease for which:

You have received advice, treatment or medication; or
You have experienced symptoms,

whether the condition was diagnosed or not before the start of your procedure.

Psychiatric condition

A mental or addictive condition, including alcoholism, drug addition or eating disorders. The Phychiatirc condition Body Dysmorphia can result in patient having an unrealistic expectation of a Cosmetic Procedure.

Ptosis

The drooping of a body part, especially the eyelids or the breasts.

Q

Qualified nurse

A nurse is a healthcare professional who is on the register of the United Kingdom Central Council of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, and holds a valid UKCC personal identification number

R

Reconstructive plastic surgery

Surgical procedure to that is performed to restore, construct or reconstruct the shape and appearance of the body and facial structures which are missing, deformed, damaged or misshapen. This type of surgery is usually performed to improve function, but may also be performed to approximate a normal appearance.

Rhinoplasty

(Commonly known as a nose job or nose correction) a cosmetic procedure used to enhance or reshape the appearance of the nose.

Rhytidectomy

(Commonly known as a facelift) this surgical procedure is done to eliminate the signs of aging in the form of sagging, drooping, and wrinkled skin of the face and neck

S

Scar

The body's natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin which is usually composed of fibrous tissue such as collagen. Scars may be formed for many different reasons, including as a result of infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue.