What is Plastic Surgery?
The word "plastic" is derived from the Greek word meaning "to shape or to mould".
Plastic surgery is a specialty dedicated to the improvement of function, and the treatment of disfigurement, resulting from birth defects, injury and disease such as cancer. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a good example.
Plastic surgery covers a wide range of surgical procedures that repair, reconstruct or replace structures in many different parts of the body e.g. the skin, face and head, hands, breast and abdomen. Plastic surgery does not involve the use of plastic materials.
What is Cosmetic Surgery?
Cosmetic (aesthetic) surgery reshapes features of the body or face to improve appearance, body image and self esteem. There are 3 broad groups :
- the correction of a feature that has always been present, but is disliked e.g. nose or ear correction, breast enlargement, breast reduction.
- the restoration of an area that has changed, "to make me look like I used to". Examples are breast lift after breast feeding, abdominoplasty after pregnancies or weight gain and loss.
- rejuvenation of the effects of aging.
You will have an initial consultation with Mr Glasson who will listen to your request, goals and expectations, and assess your past history and general health. There will be a physical examination. Your treatment options will be explained, and the best type of surgical procedure recommended. You may be advised against surgery, if it is not appropriate.
You will be given advice on how best to prepare for surgery e.g. smoking cessation, weight loss, and medications to avoid before surgery. You will be given written information and an estimate of costs. Pre-operative blood tests may be required.
For some of the more complicated procedures, a second consultation (at no additional cost) is arranged before final plans are made for surgery.
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Breast Reconstruction
When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast...
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Breast Reduction
Breast reduction is done to reduce the symptoms caused by large, heavy breasts...
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Breast Lift
This is an operation to lift and reshape sagging breasts...
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Breast Enlargement
Surgery to increase breast size involves inserting silicone gel implants under the chest muscle and existing breast...
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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
This procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. Incisions are made across the lower abdomen and around the umbilicus (tummy button), and the fat and skin layer lifted up to expose the muscle wall...
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Liposuction
This procedure removes unwanted pockets of fat from under your skin in specific parts of the body e.g. neck, upper arms, stomach, hips and thighs...
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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Excess skin and/or fat can be surgically removed from your upper and/or lower eyelids to improve appearance...
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Face Lift
Face and neck lift surgery corrects aging changes of the cheeks, jawline and neck...
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Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser treatment of the skin is used to treat skin problems caused by aging and sun damage e.g...
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Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Surgery can be carried out to improve the appearance of your nose e.g...
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Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
The appearance of ears that are misshaped or protruding (‘bat ears’) can be improved surgically...
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Gynaecomastia Surgery
Male breast tissue may develop to an abnormal degree in young men, and sometimes in older men on certain medications...
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Hand Surgery
Dupuytren's Contracture is a common condition. A layer of tissue in the palm gradually thickens and affects the fingers, causing them to curl into the palm...
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Scar Revision
Scar appearance can be improved by various methods including a surgical procedure known as scar revision...
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Skin Lesions
Skin lesions can be divided into two groups: benign (non-cancerous): e.g...
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Skin Grafting
Skin grafting may be required to repair wounds after skin cancer removal, and in some other situations...
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Naevi
A naevus is a common skin growth composed of special pigment-producing cells...
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Free parking is adjacent to the rooms in the hospital car park.
Pharmacies are nearby in the Churchill Drive shopping centre, and in the Ngaio shopping area.
