What is Plastic Surgery?

What is plastic surgery? When I asked myself this question and contemplated my answer I was surprised. My initial thoughts were these: "fake breasts, nose jobs, butt implants, botox, etc." I realized that I had always thought of plastic surgeons as cosmetic surgeons, and they are, but they are also much more. From the little girl in the Philipines with the cleft lip and pallet to the middle-aged man who has mangled his fingers in an automobile accident, plastic surgeons are there putting these people back together and working to improve and retain the function of their lives.

The doctor I have been rotating with this month is also an amazing hand surgeon. I have seen the results of some major reconstructive surgeries. It was explained to me that the loss of use of your hands is the one true disability. Think about it! What kinds of restrictions would you have with only one hand? Tying your shoes, opening jars, dressing yourself, driving, and the list could go on and on. Our hands are so important, they are what differentiate us from other creatures on this earth (among other things), without them, life would not be easy. Yes we would adapt and yes people do adapt when they lose the use of their hands, but how amazing is it when they can be saved.

I have seen pts that have had their hands sucked into engines, machines, crushed by cars and carts, and fingers smashed in doors. It has been amazing to see what has happened with these people. Not all of them have full use, many are still undergoing physical therapy, but they are pleased to have their fingers, to have sensation, and to be able to move them.

Today was a crazy day. The Dr. was late, and we had an office full of people. Of the 20 pts we saw this afternoon all but 2 where hand pts. Many were coming for their first consult, and a couple were traumatic injury pts sent to us from UMC. One pt was attacked last night by a dog and had a terrible fracture of the 3rd (middle) finger. The X-rays were pretty impressive. Another pt was working construction and shot a nail through the finger with a nail gun. That was an interesting X-ray too, with the nail still in place (it was removed, luckily the nail missed the bone and the pt just has two puncture wounds on either side of the finger). It was an interesting and insightful day.

I just wanted to make this post so that people wouldn't think I had just spent the entire rotation doing cosmetic surgery. The 3 cosmetic surgeries that I posted about are actually the only 3 that I did this entire month, but I saw around 15 hand surgeries. So next time when you hear the term "Plastic Surgeon" don't just think of the Dr. putting in DD breast implants. They are amazing talented surgeons reconstructing hands, fixing cleft pallets and lips for children throughout the world, and aiding those that have been disfigured due to traumatic situations. They really are men and women, physicians, surgeons, working to make the world a better place for those that have true needs.