Beyond Aesthetics: The Role of Plastic Surgery in Medical Rehabilitation

“Beyond improving the physical features and creating a more aesthetically pleasing look, plastic surgery has a crucial role in restoring shape and function, correcting deformities, and addressing congenital disabilities through reconstructive procedures, such as reconstructive rhinoplasty, reconstructive breast surgery, gender confirmation surgery, burn reconstruction, hand surgery, etc.!”

·       Do you know cosmetic surgery is only a fraction of the story? Plastic surgeons play a pivotal role in medical rehabilitation, performing a variety of reconstructive procedures that help enhance patients’ well-being beyond aesthetics.

·       Do you know following accidental injuries, burns, or trauma, plastic surgeons are often called upon to repair facial fractures, restoring both function and aesthetics?

·       Did you know plastic surgeons are experts in burn management and wound care, employing sophisticated techniques to minimize scarring and promote optimal healing?

·       Do you know that plastic surgeons perform face transplants to restore function and appearance for patients who have suffered several facial injuries or disfigurements?

Plastic surgery has two important facets, i.e., improving body and facial appearance through aesthetic/ cosmetic procedures and correcting deformities and accidental injuries or addressing congenital disabilities with the help of reconstructive procedures. However, plastic surgeons not only come as an aesthetic master to improve your facial or body contour but also contribute a key role in correcting the deformities caused by injuries, trauma, or any malfunctions present at birth.

Dr. Karishma Kagodu (MS, MCh), a board-certified plastic surgeon and Managing Director of Dr. Karishma Aesthetics, stated that plastic surgery in medical rehabilitation aims to bring patients closer to the concept where physical health and mental well-being are interrelated based on the international classification of functioning, disability, and health. We aim to meet the aesthetic and functional/ reconstructive goals through plastic surgery procedures to enhance the patient’s physical, psychological, social, and professional well-being without compromising quality and ethics. Moreover, contributing to a full recovery of the patient’s social life is the core concern while addressing the issues related to deformities, injuries, or congenital disabilities.

Plastic surgery plays a critical role in restoring function and mobility, especially after trauma or illness:

As plastic surgery includes both reconstructive procedures and aesthetic improvements, surgeries done following accidental injuries, burns, trauma, or illness are categorized as reconstructive procedures. However, reconstructive surgeries, such as reconstructive rhinoplasty to correct deviated septum, breathe better, while breast reduction surgery can help alleviate back pain and improve mobility and posture. These reconstructive procedures directly improve patients’ quality of life and self-confidence and enhance overall psychological health that was compromised due to physical issues/ illness that may have been causing pain, discomfort, or disfigurement.

Note: One must keep in mind that plastic surgeries, either cosmetic or reconstructive procedures, are not only just limited to celebrity clients. Commoners can also avail themselves of the benefits, and the credit goes to cutting-edge technology and more skilled plastic surgeons. However, aesthetic reconstructive surgeries are becoming more popular and accessible to the general public.

From Trauma to Healing: Reconstructive Surgery following Mastectomy/ Breast removal surgery

Plastic surgery is a vital component of cancer treatments. Breast reconstruction surgery is performed for patients who have had a mastectomy or breast removal surgery to treat breast cancer. Of course, breast reconstruction is part of cancer treatment as a healing procedure to improve the aesthetic appearance of the breast profile. As a result, patients achieve improved psychological health, enhancing their overall well-being positively. After breast reconstruction surgery, nipple-areolar complex reconstruction is performed to improve the appearance of the nipple and areola.

How do plastic surgeons make a notable impact on patient well-being?

Plastic surgeons have a crucial role in improving patients’ quality of life by performing a wide range of procedures based on the necessity to restore body function and improve aesthetics. However, several surgeries, such as procedures after trauma and plastic surgeries performed for burn victims, offer a positive impact on patient’s emotional health and social and personal well-being, as well as improving the overall quality of life.

Trauma Surgery

Following accidental injuries, plastic surgeries are often performed to restore both functions and aesthetics. Aesthetic procedures have a significant role in correcting facial deformities/ fractures, complex wounds, and soft tissue injuries, minimizing scarring, and promoting optimal recovery and results.

Burn Management

Burns cause devastating scarring and affect patients’ emotional health more than physical discomforts, raising the immediate request for plastic surgeries. Plastic surgeons are experts in treating burn victims, as they have advanced knowledge and ideas about innovative scar revision techniques, including scar tissue removal, scar reduction, and camouflage surgery to manage scars with the utmost potential, offering the best measure to deal with scars caused by trauma or injuries.

Cancer Reconstruction

Cancer treatments often include removing vital structures like the tongue, cheeks, or jaw. Plastic surgeries play a significant role in restoring/ rebuilding these missing parts using body tissue from other areas, such as the leg, thigh, or hands. This allows cancer survivors to regain functional improvements and aesthetics, enhancing overall well-being and quality of life.

Beyond Cancer: Managing Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a common complication following breast cancer surgery/ mastectomy. It is a condition where swelling develops in the arms or legs due to a blockage in the lymphatic system. Plastic surgeons help improve lymphedema by either performing lymphedema surgery or recommending compression therapy, helping patients regain control and improve their quality of life.

Treating Congenital Disabilities: Restoring Function and Confidence

Congenital disabilities or congenital deformities are present at birth that may affect functions, features, or aesthetics, causing several issues, such as difficult breathing due to deviated septum, speech and feeding complications due to cleft lip palate, facial asymmetry caused by craniofacial anomalies, hand, or leg anomalies, like fused or missing fingers can significantly impact patients’ day-to-day life and causing compromised emotional health and mental well-being. Thus, plastic surgeries are the last resort to restore form, functions, mobility, and overall aesthetics, helping patients regain confidence with improved quality of life.

Visit Dr. Karishma Aesthetics, Indiranagar, Bangalore, for detailed and personalized guidance on how best to address the concerns you have and what procedures at what time would be the best decision to improve your quality of life.

Call us at 9108969006/ 7624809006 and schedule your one-on-one consultation today to learn more about plastic surgery in medical rehabilitation in Bangalore.