Understanding the specific terminology of procedures can help you decide which one works best for you based on the look you want to accomplish.
Plastic Surgery Glossary
Plastic Surgery Glossary
A
Abdominal Reduction: The surgical removal of excess skin, unwanted scars, stretch marks and fat from the tummy, and sometimes tightening of the stomach muscles.
Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure, also known as tummy tuck, to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.Excess fat and skin are surgically removed from the middle and lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdomen wall are tightened.
Acne: A skin condition characterized by the excess production of oil from sebaceous glands in which the hair follicles become plugged.
Acne scar: Scar due to severe acne. The scars can range from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance.
Aesthetic: Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty, in cosmetic terms this is focused on improving the appearance of the patient through surgery.
Aesthetic Genital Surgery: Various surgical procedures designed to improve the appearance of the vagina area.
Age spots: Small, generally flat pigmented spots that are most often seen on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun over a period of years. Age spots usually occur after age 40.
Albinism: An inherited disorder in which there is no pigmentation in skin, hair, or eyes due to the absence of melanin, the substance that gives skin its color.
Alopecia: The complete or partial loss of hair.
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL): This is a very rare type of immune system cell cancer which has been seen in a small number of patients with breast implants, research is now being carried out to investigate the significance of this link and if necessary produce new advice for implant manufacturers and patients.
Antihelical fold: A fold that is just inside the rim of the ear.
Apert syndrome - A craniofacial abnormality characterized by an abnormal head shape, small upper jaw, and fusion of the fingers and toes.
Apronectomy: A modification of the mini-abdominoplasty to remove any excess skin and fat hanging down over the pubic area.
Arborizing veins: Veins that resemble tiny, branch-like shapes in a cartwheel pattern, often seen on the outer thigh.
Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
Arm lift:Tightens loose skin under the arm that creates what many call a "bat wing" appearance, also known as brachioplasty.
Asymmetry - lacking symmetry; parts of the body are unequal in shape or size.
Auditory canal: A passage in the ear.
Augmentation mammaplasty: Breast enlargement by surgery.
Autologous tissue breast reconstruction - the use of the patient's own tissues to reconstruct a new breast mound. The common technique is the TRAM (transverse rectus abdominous muscle) flap. A TRAM flap involves removing an area of fat, skin, and muscle from the abdomen and stitching it in place to the mastectomy wound.
Autologen: A material used in lip augmentation to produce a look of fuller lips. Autologen is derived from your own skin and then injected into the lips.
Azelaic acid: A naturally occurring substance that can be used in skin care products to treat mild acne.
B
Basal cell carcinoma: The most common form of skin cancer. Occurs in the epidermis. These growths are often round and pearly or darkly pigmented.
Belt lipectomy: Also referred to as torsoplasty, circumferential torsoplasty, central body lift, circumferential panniculectomy, circumferential dermolipectomy and circumferential lipectomy: A plastic surgery procedure that combines abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with the removal of excess skin and fat around the circumference of the waist and hips.
Benzoyl peroxide: A medication used to combat the bacteria that aggravate acne.
Bilateral gynecomastia: A condition in men only where both breasts are over-developed or enlarged
Biocompatible materials: Synthetic or natural material used in facial implants and designed to function along with living tissue.
Blepharoplasty: Eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both.
Body Contouring: Procedure that alters the shape of the human body. It includes procedures that eliminate or reduce excess skin and fat that remains after massive weight loss, in a variety of places including the torso, upper arms, chest, and legs.
Boob Job: Also known as breast enlargement, implants are inserted to increase breast size, improve their shape or make them more even.
Botox: Botulinum Toxin. A substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax.
Brachioplasty: A surgical procedure, also known as arm lift, to correct sagging of the upper arms.
Breast augmentation: Also known as augmentation mammaplasty; breast enlargement by surgery.
Breast Implant: A silicone rubber shell filled with either silicone gel or saline solution which is used to enlarge the breast.
Breast lift: Also known as mastopexy; surgery to lift the breasts.
Breast reconstruction: Breast reconstruction is achieved through several plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following mastectomy.
Breast reduction: Reduction of breast size and breast lift by surgery.
Brow lift: A surgical procedure to correct a low-positioned or sagging brow. Smoothes furrows across the forehead and between the brows.
Buccal Fat Removal Surgery: Procedure to remove the fat pads that augment the lower cheeks.
Butt Lift/Bum Lift: A buttock lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure to improve the shape and appearance of the bum.
Buttock Augmentation: Surgery to enhance the bottom and make it appear more rounded, achieved by inserting silicone implants.
C
Cancer: The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
Capsular contracture: A complication of breast implant surgery which occurs when scar tissue that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant and becomes firm.
Capsulectomy: A procedure to remove the scar tissue layer around a breast implant.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition caused by pressure to the median nerve within the wrist or carpal tunnel causing pain, tingling and numbness.
Cellfina: A minimally invasive, FDA approved procedure that treats the structural cause of cellulite by severing the bands beneath the skin which causes the puckering.
Cheek Augmentation: A procedure to insert implants into the cheek area, also known as Malar Augmentation.
Cheiloplasty: Cleft lip repair surgery.
Cheiloschisis: The scientific term for a cleft lip.
Chemical peel solutions: Substances that penetrate the skin's surface to soften irregularities in texture and color.
Circumareolar Breast Reduction: Where breast reduction is carried out through an incision made only around the areola, therefore leaving a scar only in that area.
Circumferential thigh lift: A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the outer and mid-thigh.
Cleft: A separation of the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth.
Cleft lip: The incomplete formation of the upper lip.
Cleft palate: The incomplete formation of the roof of the mouth.
Collagen: The major structural proteins in the skin that give it strength and resilience. A natural protein used as an injectable filler for soft tissue augmentation.
Collagen/fat injectable fillers (Also called soft-tissue augmentation.) - a plastic surgery technique used to correct wrinkles, depressions in the skin, and/or scarring.
Columella: Tissue that separates the nostrils.
Computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
Conchal cartilage: The largest and deepest concavity of the external ear.
Congenital - present at birth.
Congenital anomaly - a health problem present at birth (not necessarily genetic).
Contractures - an abnormal condition of a joint caused by a loss of muscle fibers or a loss of the normal flexibility of the skin.
Constricted ear: Also called a lop or cup ear, has varying degrees of protrusion, reduced ear circumference, folding or flattening of the upper helical rim, and lowered ear position.
Contracture: A puckering or pulling together of tissues; a potential side effect of cleft surgery.
Contractures: Scars that restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissue that pull together during healing and usually occur when there is a large amount of tissue loss, such as after a burn.
Copper Peptide: A common ingredient found in skin care products, copper peptide is used to promote the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.
Coronal suture - the joining line (suture) between the frontal and parietal bones of the skull that crosses the top of the skull from temple to temple.
Cosmetic plastic surgery (Also called aesthetic plastic surgery.) - one type of plastic surgery performed to repair or reshape otherwise normal structures of the body, primarily to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem.
Craniofacial - pertaining to the head (skull) and face.
Craniosynostosis - a condition in which the sutures (soft spots) in the skull of an infant close too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth. Premature closure of the sutures may also cause the pressure inside of the head to increase and the skull or facial bones to change from a normal, symmetrical appearance.
Crouzon's syndrome - A birth defect characterized by abnormalities in the skull and facial bones, this syndrome often causes the skull to be short in the front and the back. Flat cheek bones and a flat nose are also typical of this disorder.
Crows Feet: The fine lines found around the eyes. They are often caused by sun exposure. Smoking can also contribute to their formation.
Cryptotia: Also called hidden ear, occurs when the upper rim of the ear is buried beneath a fold of scalp secondary to abnormal folding of the upper ear cartilage toward the head. The folding is the reverse of that commonly seen in the protruding ear.
D
Debriding: The process of removing dead or devitalized tissue before reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The formation of a blood clot (thrombus) within a deep vein.
Dermabrasion: Mechanical polishing of the skin. a procedure that removes fine wrinkles and/or minimizes scars on the skin; involves the surgeon utilizing a high-speed rotating brush to remove the top layer of skin. The size and depth of the scars, as well as the degree of wrinkling, determine the appropriate level of skin that will be surgically sloughed.
Dermalogen: A product derived from human donor tissue that is used in lip augmentation to produce a look of fuller lips.
Dermaplaning - a plastic surgery technique used to treat deep acne scars with a hand-held instrument called a dermatome.
Dermatome - an instrument that resembles an electric razor and has an oscillating blade that moves back and forth to evenly "skim" off the surface layers of skin that surround the craters or other facial defects.
Dermatitis: An inflammation of the skin caused by an allergic reaction or contact with an irritant. Typical symptoms of dermatitis include redness and itching.
Dermis: The middle layer of the skin, the dermis is a complex combination of blood vessels, hair follicles, and sebaceous (oil) glands. Here, you'll find collagen and elastin. The dermis is also where wrinkles occur.
Deviated septum: A condition in which the wall inside the nose that divides it into two nostrils – called the septum -- is not located in the middle of the nose where it should be. The condition is commonly treatable with surgery.
DIEP flap: Deep Inferior Epigastric perforator flap which takes tissue from the abdomen.
Donor site: An area of your body where the surgeon harvests skin, muscle and fat to reconstruct your breast - commonly located in less exposed areas of the body such as the back, abdomen or buttocks.
Dual Plane Augmentation: A breast surgery technique where the implant is placed partially under the muscle. Just the top portion of the implant is put under the chest muscle, while the rest of the implant is only under the glandular tissue.
Dupuytren's contracture: A disabling hand disorder in which thick, scar-like tissue bands form within the palm and may extend into the fingers. It can cause restricted movement, bending the fingers into an abnormal position.
E
Ear axis: The main line of ear growth.
Economy class syndrome: Deep vein thrombosis or DVT class syndrome, The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, commonly in the legs or the deep veins of the pelvis.
Ectropion - turning outward of an edge; generally refers to a rare condition of the eyelid in which the lining of the eyelid is exposed.
Elastin: A highly elastic protein found with collagen in the dermis that is responsible for giving structure to the skin and organs, and allows tissues to resume their shape after stretching or contracting.
Endocrine system: A group of glands that make hormones which help to control activities in your body such as reproduction, metabolism, growth and development. Testing of your endocrine system may be done to look for signs of diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, hypertension and obesity.
Endoscope - small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end used to look inside an organ or cavity such as the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum.
Endoscopy - procedure in which a lighted viewing instrument (endoscope) is used to look inside a body cavity or organ to diagnose or treat disorders.
Endoscopic Facelift: Less invasive than a traditional facelift, this procedure aims to give patients a more youthful appearance through a small incision and use of an endoscope.
Endovenous Laser Ablation: Vascular laser used for larger varicose veins.
Epidermis: The uppermost portion of skin.
Ephelides: Freckles.
Excision: To remove the skin.
Excessive Sweating: Also known as Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating in areas of concentrated sweat glands even when cold.
Excision: To remove the skin.
Exfoliate: To remove the top layer of skin. Chemical peels and dermabrasion are examples of methods in which the skin is exfoliated.
Expander/implant breast reconstruction - the use of an expander to create a breast mound, followed by the placement with a permanently filled breast implant.
Extensor tendon: A tendon which serves to extend a bodily part.
External incisions: Surgical incisions made on the surface of your skin.
Eye lift: See "blepharoplasty."
F
Facial implant - cosmetic plastic surgery to change the shape of the chin, check, or jaw. This procedure is typically done to enhance certain facial features, or to bring a certain aspect of the face into proportion with the rest of the facial structures.
Facelift: See "rhytidectomy."
Fascia: A type of connective tissue used in lip augmentation to produce fuller lips. This product is made from human donor tissue.
Fat Contouring: A procedure done during liposuction that involved massaging fat into other locations to improve the overall result.
Fat Injections: Human fat is harvested from your own body and used as an injectable filler for soft tissue augmentation.
Fat Transfer: Surgery to reposition fat from one area of the body to another.
Flank: The fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip.
Flap techniques: Surgical techniques used to reposition your own skin, muscle and fat to reconstruct or cover your breast. one type of surgery that involves transporting healthy, live tissue from one location of the body to another - often to areas that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal support. There are several different types of flap surgery methods that may be utilized, depending upon the location of the flap and the structures that need to be repaired.
Flexor tendon: A tendon which serves to bend a body part.
Forehead lift - the surgical removal of excess fat and skin, as well as a tightening of the muscles in the forehead area. It can correct sagging brows or deep furrows between the eyes. It is often done in conjunction with a facelift in order to create a smoother facial appearance overall.
Freckle: A light or moderately brown spot that appears on the skin as a result of exposure to sunlight. Freckles are most common in people with fair complexions.
Frozen section: A surgical procedure in which the cancerous lesion is removed and microscopically examined by a pathologist prior to wound closure to ensure all cancerous cells have been removed.
G
General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
Genioplasty: Surgery to improve the appearance of the chin area.
Glabella: The area of the face between the eyebrows.
Grafting: Tissue taken from other parts of the body.
Gynecomastia - a condition in which the male's breast tissue enlarges. Gynecomastia literally means "woman breast." This increase in tissue usually occurs at times when the male is having hormonal changes, such as during infancy, adolescence, and old age.
H
Hair Graft: A thin strip of hair-bearing scalp is removed, separated into smaller pieces and then implanted onto hairless areas.
Hand Surgery: Hand Surgery is surgery of the hand, the wrist and the peripheral nerves of the upper limb. It also encompasses reconstructive surgery that improves upper limb function.
Hemangioma: A type of birthmark characterized by concentrations of small blood vessels. They are commonly referred to as strawberry marks and often disappear after a few months or years.
Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
Hemoglobin: Blood count.
Human fat: Harvested from your own body and used as an injectable filler for soft tissue augmentation.
Hyaluronic acid: A naturally occurring sugar in the skin that holds collagen and elastin together, essentially providing a framework for the skin.
Hydrogel: A new type of breast implant that is bio-compatible with the body, it has the safety of saline with the benefits of silicone gel.
Hyfrecation: Spider vein treatment in which the vessels are cauterized.
Hyperpigmented scar: A scar that is darker in color.
Hypertropic scar: A raised and red scar, similar to a keloid scar but different in that it stays within the boundaries of the injury site.
Hypodermis: The fatty layer of skin, home of sweat glands and fat and collagen cells. It is attached to the dermis by collagen and elastic fibers. The hypodermis is responsible for conserving your body's heat and protecting vital inner organs.
Hypopigmented scar: A scar that is lighter in color.
Hyperpigmentation: A skin condition in which there is excessive pigmentation that's often seen as dark spots on the skin.
I
Injectables: Also known as fillers, injectables are substances inserted under the skin to restore or create volume, most commonly in facial areas like the lips.
Injectable fillers: Substances used to restore volume and your youthful appearance.
Intraoral: Inside the mouth.
Intraoral incisions: Surgical incisions made inside the mouth.
Intravenous sedation: Sedatives are administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
Invasive: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery defines invasive as the term used to identify that a procedure involves a minor surgery that will likely require general anesthesia to perform. Invasive surgeries include breast augmentation and liposuction.
K
Keloids: Large scars that can be painful or itchy, and may also pucker which can occur anywhere on your body, developing more commonly where there is little underlying fatty tissue, such as on the breastbone or shoulders.
Keratin: This dominant protein is the skin's main material, occurring also in hair and nails. Keratin is what makes skin rigid.
Kojic Acid: A skin treatment product derived from a fungus that works as a lightening agent and inhibits the production of melanin.
L
Labia majora: The outer lips of the vagina.
Labiaplasty: This is surgery to reduce the size and/or re-shape the labia, the flaps of skin either side of the vagina.
L-ascorbic acid: L-ascorbic acid is a form of Vitamin C.
Laser resurfacing: A method to change to the surface of the skin that allows new, healthy skin to form at the scar site.
Laser therapy: An intense beam of light passed over the leg to eliminate spider veins.
Laser treatment: An intense beam of light directed at the spider vein, which obliterates it through the skin.
Laser-assisted Liposuction: Removes excess fat and skin using a laser instead of a vacuum.
Latissimus dorsi flap technique: A surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin tunneled under the skin and tissue of a woman's back to the reconstructed breast and remains attached to its donor site, leaving blood supply intact.
Lentigines: See "age spots."
Light therapy: (Intense Pulsed Light) Pulses of light that can be used to treat discoloration and texture changes of the skin.
Lip Augmentation: A procedure done to improve deflated, drooping, or sagging lips; correct their symmetry; or reduce fine lines and wrinkles around them. This is often done through injections or implants.
Lipoplasty: Another term for liposuction.
Liposculpture: A more precise method of liposuction involving body contouring
Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin's surface to reduce fullness.
Local anesthesia: A drug is injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
Local flap: A surgical procedure used for skin cancer in which healthy, adjacent tissue is repositioned over the wound.
Lower body lift: Surgical procedure to correct sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin, and outer thighs.
Lump and Bump Removal: Also known as wart, mole, skin tag removal.
M
Macrodactyly - a congenital problem in which there is an abnormal growth of a finger.
Macular stain: A small birthmark that is often nothing more than a small, mild, red blemish on the skin.
Macrotia: Overly large ears; a rare condition.
Malar Augmentation: A procedure to insert implants into the cheek area. Also known as Cheek Augmentation.
Mammogram: An x-ray image of the breast.
Mammoplasty: Any reconstructive or cosmetic surgical procedure that alters the size or shape of the breast.
Mastectomy: The removal of a breast, typically to rid the body cancer.
Mastopexy: Also called a breast lift, this procedure removes excess skin in order to lift up sagging or drooping breasts.
Maxillofacial surgery: Specialises in treating many diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region
Medial thigh lift: A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the inner thigh.
Melanocytes: A pigment producing cell found in the skin, hair, and eyes that gives them their color.
Melanoma: A skin cancer that is most often distinguished by its pigmented blackish or brownish coloration and irregular and ill-defined borders is the most serious form of skin cancer. It occurs in the deepest portion of the epidermis, and for this reason, melanoma is the most likely form of skin cancer to spread quickly in the skin and to other parts of the body.
Melasma: A condition in which pigmentation of the cheeks and forehead darken into tan or brown patches. This condition occurs in half of all women during pregnancy.
Microsurgery: High magnification to repair or reconnect severed nerves and tendons, common in trauma cases and often used to reattach severed fingers or limbs.
Micropigmentation: A form of tattooing commonly used to apply permanent makeup by injecting iron oxide pigment into the middle layer of the skin (dermis).
Microtia: The most complex congenital ear deformity when the outer ear appears as either a sausage-shaped structure resembling little more than the earlobe, or has more recognizable parts of the concha and tragus or other normal ear features. It may or may not be missing the external auditory or hearing canal. Hearing is impaired to varying degrees.
Mohs surgery: A surgical procedure that's used when skin cancer is like an iceberg. Beneath the skin, the cancerous cells cover a much larger region and there are no defined borders.
Mommy Makeover:A combination of procedures designed to restore various parts of the body after pregnancy.
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; a painless test to view tissue similar to an x-ray.
N
Nasolabial fold: Deep creases between the nose and mouth.
Nevi: A mole.
Neoplasm: A tumor.
Nevus flammeus: See "port-wine stain."
Nose Job:Also known as a Rhinoplasty, this is the surgical reshaping of the nose, and is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures.
O
Obturator: An intraoral device your child may wear prior to repair of the cleft lip which may assist in feeding and maintain the arch of the lip prior to repair.
Oculoplastic Surgery: A wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face. It also deals with the reconstruction of the eye and associated structures.
Oculoplastics: A wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face. It also deals with the reconstruction of the eye and associated structures.
OMFS: Specialises in treating many diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region.
OMS: Specialises in treating many diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Specialises in treating many diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region.
Otoplasty: (ear surgery) - a type of cosmetic plastic surgery procedure aimed at setting prominent ears closer to the head, or reducing the size of larger ears.
P
Palatoschisis: The scientific term for a cleft palate.
Panniculectomy: A plastic surgery procedure that removes the overhanging apron of excess skin and fat from the lower abdominal area after massive weight loss. Unlike a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, a panniculectomy does not tighten the abdominal muscles, and the navel is not repositioned.
Panniculus: The apron of loose skin, tissue, and fat occurs in the lower portion of the abdominal wall after massive weight loss or sometimes after pregnancy.
Pannus: The apron of loose skin, tissue, and fat occurs in the lower portion of the abdominal wall after massive weight loss or sometimes after pregnancy.
Partial abdominoplasty - a "mini tummy tuck." This procedure is ideal for individuals who have fat deposits limited to the area below the navel.
Pfeiffer syndrome - A birth defect characterized by abnormalities of the skull, hands, and feet.
Pinnaplasty: Ear correction surgery to improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear, or to pin them back if they stick out.
Plagiocephaly: Known as flat head syndrome, is a condition characterised by an asymmetrical distortion (flattening of one side) of the skull. It is characterised by a flat spot on the back or one side of the head caused by remaining in a supine position for too long
Plastic surgery - the surgical specialty that deals with the reconstruction of facial and body tissue that requires a reshaping or remolding due to disease, a defect, or disorder - in order to approximate a normal appearance or to repair working ability.
Photo-aging: The changes that occur to the skin due to sun exposure. This includes wrinkles, sallowness (yellowing), and age spots.
PMMA: A widely used implant material formed into tiny microspheres and suspended in a collagen gel for use as a wrinkle filler.
Polydactyly: a congenital problem characterized by an increase in the number of fingers or toes.
Port-wine stain: A type of birthmark characterized by a mark on the skin that resembles the rich red color of port wine. Port-wine stains are caused by an abnormal concentration of capillaries. This type of birthmark is also referred to as nevus flammeus. Unlike a hemangioma, it does not improve over time.
Post-Pregnancy Surgery: A combination of procedures designed to restore various parts of the body after pregnancy. Also known as a Mommy Makeover
Pseudo-ptosis: A condition of the breasts, common after childbirth, where the nipples are still above the inframammary crease below the breast, but the breasts appear droopy because the upper part of the breast is somewhat flattened.
Ptosis: The drooping of a body part, especially the eyelids or the breasts.
R
Reduction mammaplasty: The surgical removal of breast tissue to reduce the size of breasts.
Reticular veins: Larger, darker leg veins that tend to bulge slightly, but are not severe enough to require surgical treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis: A disabling disease that can cause severe inflammation in any joint of the body. In the hand, it can deform fingers and impair movement.
Rhinoplasty: A cosmetic procedure used to enhance or change the appearance of the nose. Rhinoplasty is commonly referred to as a nose job.
Rhytidectomy: A surgical procedure, also known as facelift, to reduce sagging of the mid-face, jowls and neck., drooping, and wrinkled skin of the face and neck.
reconstructive plastic surgery - one type of plastic surgery that is performed on abnormal structures of the body that may be caused by trauma, infection, developmental abnormalities, congenital defects, disease, and/or tumors. This type of surgery is usually performed to improve function, but may also be performed to approximate a normal appearance.
Resurfacing Laser: Laser resurfacing is a treatment to reduce facial wrinkles and skin irregularities, such as blemishes or acne scars.
Retinol: A derivative of Vitamin A commonly found in many skin care creams.
Rosacea: A chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown causes with an array of symptoms, including redness and puffiness on several areas of the face that include the cheeks and nose. Rosacea cannot be cured, but prompt correct treatment can keep it from getting worse over time.
S
Saethe-Chotzen - A birth defect characterized by an unusually short or broad head. In addition, the eyes may be spaced wide apart and have droopy eyelids, and fingers may be abnormally short and webbed.
Saline implants: Breast implants filled with a salt water solution.
Salicylic acid: See "beta hydroxy acid."
Sallowness: A term used to describe a yellowish color of the skin due to damage caused by ultraviolet radiation known as photodamage.
Scar - the body's natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin. A scar is usually composed of fibrous tissue. Scars may be formed for many different reasons, including as a result of infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue.
Sclerotherapy: Sclerosing solution injected into a vein, causing it to collapse and fade from view. A medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and "spider veins." During the procedure, an injection of a solution is placed directly into the vein.
Sebaceous glands: The glands of the skin that emit oil.
Septoplasty - the surgical correction of defects and deformities of the nasal septum (the partition between the nostrils). A surgical procedure done to improve the flow of air to your nose by repairing malformed cartilage or the bony portion.
SGAP flap: Superior Gluteal Artery perforator flap, which takes tissue from the buttock.
Silicone implants: Breast implants filled with an elastic gel solution.
Simple linear veins: Veins which appear as thin, separate lines, and are commonly seen on the inner knee or on the face.
Skin graft: a skin graft may be used to cover skin that has been damaged and/or is missing. This surgical procedure involves removing healthy portions of skin from one part of the body to restore normal appearance and/or function to another portion of the same body. The location where the skin is removed is called the donor site. There are various types of skin grafts that may be utilized, depending upon the size and location of needed skin.
Skin resurfacing: Treatment to improve the texture, clarity and overall appearance of your skin.
Skin Tags: Small, soft, skin-coloured growths that hang off the skin and look like warts.
Sleep apnea: A sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. These episodes each last long enough so one or more breaths are missed, and occur repeatedly throughout sleep.
Soft tissue augmentation: The use of injectable fillers to restore volume and your youthful appearance.
Spider-shaped veins: A group of veins radiating outward from a dark central point.
Spider veins: Small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear in the skin on the thighs, calves and ankles.
Stahl's ear: An ear that is distorted in shape due to an abnormal fold of cartilage.
Stretch Marks: Streaks or stripes on the skin, especially on the abdomen, caused by distension of the skin.
Suction lipectomy: Another term for liposuction.
Support hose: Special stockings that compress your legs, typically used for varicose veins and post-surgical conditions.
Sun protection factor: Commonly seen on sunscreen packages as "SPF," the sun protection factor is the amount of UVB burning rays protection a sunscreen product provides. In general, the higher the SPF, the greater the protection.
Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
Syndactyly: When fingers are fused together. A congenital problem characterized by a union of fingers or toes.
T
Tattoo Laser Removal: Tattoo ink is removed by using a light which passes through the skin and is absorbed by the ink. This rapid absorption of light energy causes the tattoo ink to break down, where it is then removed by the body's natural filtering systems.
Tattoo Removal: A procedure done to try to remove an unwanted tattoo. Common techniques used for tattoo removal include laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion.
Tendon: A tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part.
Tenolysis: A surgical procedure to free a tendon from surrounding adhesions.
Thigh Lift: This involves the removal excess skin, fat, and tissue to tone and refine the upper legs.
Tissue expansion: A surgical procedure that involves inserting a balloon-like device (called an expander) under the skin. The expander then slowly secretes liquid into the area to be repaired to actually stretch and expand the skin. This serves the function of "growing" extra skin to repair nearby lost or damaged skin.
TRAM flap: Also known as transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous flap, a surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin from your own abdomen to reconstruct the breast.
Trans-umbilical breast augmentation: A breast enhancement procedure where saline implants are inserted through the navel using an endoscope.
Transaxillary incision: An incision made in the underarm area.
Trigger finger: An abnormal condition in which flexion or extension of a finger may be momentarily obstructed by spasm followed by a snapping into place.
TUBA: A breast enhancement procedure where saline implants are inserted through the navel using an endoscope.
Tumescent or super-wet liposuction: Requires an infusion of saline solution with adrenaline and possibly anesthetic prior to removal of excess fat.
Tummy tuck: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.
U
Unilateral gynecomastia: A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts affecting just one breast in men
Ultherapy: This minimally invasive procedure is used on the eyebrow, neck, chin, and even chest area to tighten and lift, improving lines and wrinkles. It is the first FDA approved procedure to use ultrasound.
Ultrasound: A diagnostic procedure that projects high-frequency sound waves into the body and changes the echoes into pictures.
Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty: Uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy excess fat prior to surgical suctioning.
Umbilicoplasty: Procedure during abdominoplasty where the belly button skin and contour are shaped.
V
Varicose veins: Abnormally swollen or dilated veins. Twisted, widened veins caused by swollen or enlarged blood vessels. The blood vessels have enlarged due a weakening in the vein's wall or valves.
Venous system: Veins.
Vitiligo: A condition in which smooth white patches appear on the skin due to a loss of pigment producing cells.
Z
Z-plasty: A surgical incision technique that creates small triangular flaps of tissue that help to close wounds over areas of the hand where bending or flexing is essential to function, such as around knuckles.
Z-plasty for Scar Revision: A surgical technique that creates angled flaps on either side of the original scar site that can completely reposition or change scar direction, interrupt scar tension or improve scar flexibility.