Plastic Surgery Costa Mesa CA

Plastic Surgery Residency Programs - Not All Surgeons Are Created Equally

Plastic Surgery Costa Mesa CA is a specialized medical specialty involving the reconstruction, repair, or modification of the body. It can be broadly divided into two categories: corrective plastic surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery. Corrective surgery comprises hand surgery, craniofacial surgery, microsurgery, and aesthetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is focused on the appearance of the face, including eyelid surgery, nose surgery, and breast augmentation. There are other specialized areas in plastic surgery as well, such as pediatric plastic surgery, burn surgery, elective plastic surgery, and trauma surgery.

The purpose of corrective plastic surgery procedures is to reshape or re-plan the patient's body to improve his or her appearance. Often, patients want to alter an obvious feature that they believe is not aesthetically pleasing. They may also desire to remove a portion of their body that they consider to be unsightly, or increase the size of a body part that they feel is too small. Cosmetic surgery procedures are used to correct a number of physical attributes, such as height, body shape, and breast size.

corrective plastic surgery procedures are often used to correct the results of a disfiguring accident, such as a traumatic brain injury or cancer treatment. corrective surgery may also be employed to treat mastectomy scars, after breast cancer removal, or after some facial or body injuries. Cosmetic surgery procedures are often used to increase self-confidence, improve appearance, or correct a medical condition. Patients may choose to have corrective or cosmetic surgery regardless of their age or social status. In fact, many young adults consider having plastic surgery to fit in with their peers, go to college, or join the military.

Every year, thousands of medical students seek board certification to become one of America's elite group of plastic surgeons. Board certification, which is achieved by taking a specific exam, certifies that the individual meets strict educational and clinical requirements for an advanced level of plastic surgery training. When choosing to pursue Board Certification in Plastic Surgery, patients will find there are two options: either attending a post-graduate residency program or a hands-on residency. The differences between the two options are significant.

Residencies are intense medical residency training programs, lasting anywhere from three to eight weeks. Unlike residencies in any other specialty, board certified surgeons must complete their residencies in a residency that focuses solely on one area. All other areas of surgery will be completed through offsite training or through a variety of general continuing care programs. During their residency, board certified surgeons will be supervised by experienced faculty members and have the opportunity to work in a fellowship. A fellowship allows the surgeon to shadow a surgeon who specializes in a particular procedure, allowing them to get hands-on experience in the procedure before attempting it on their own.

Plastic surgery training in a residency also provides the opportunity for new surgeons to meet one-on-one with renowned faculty members in order to gain expert insight into the most critical elements of a specific procedure. Fellowships allow surgeons to gain firsthand experience in the monitoring of a patient's progress after surgery as well as discussing any changes in technique or management of symptoms that may occur. This hands-on experience is invaluable and can help prevent any unforeseen complications from arising months or years later.

Plastic surgery training in a residency program at a leading surgical center includes lectures and case studies focusing on current trends in cosmetic and reconstructive medicine. A large part of these lectures and case studies involves reviewing the latest advances in microsurgery. This type of surgery involves using ultrasound technology to assist in correcting sagging skin, repairing torn and deformed muscles, removing scar tissue, sculpting, and repositioning facial features. Ultrasound technology has made tremendous strides in its ability to repair and heal muscles and tissues while simultaneously increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the affected area. This technology is only now starting to be utilized in the operating room.

Plastic surgery training in a residency program will also focus on the newest technologies and surgical techniques being used to create a more natural appearance by including tissue expansion, microsurfacing, laser assisted liposuction, and traditional tumescent liposuction. New equipment such as robotic equipment, non-ablative lasers, and endoscope technology has revolutionized the way plastic surgeons perform their job. A highly skilled surgeon should be able to incorporate these newer techniques seamlessly into his or her practice.