There is far less stigma surrounding plastic surgery than there once was. People now understand that getting a few nips and tucks doesn’t make you a bad person. Though some still judge, it is much more acceptable to have cosmetic procedures done than it would have been a few mere decades ago. However, many still believe that plastic surgery is done for purely aesthetic reasons, and that what plastic surgeons do has nothing to do with your actual health. For one thing, plastic surgeons are fully qualified, highly skilled doctors just like any others. In fact, plastic surgeons often have to perform procedures that require more delicate handiwork than many others performed for people’s physical health. After all, a plastic surgeon’s work will be visible. Plastic surgeons also work alongside other types of doctors on a regular basis. Typically during a rhinoplasty procedure, for example, a plastic surgeon will work alongside an ear nose and throat specialist. For that matter, that same ear nose and throat specialist may have referred his or her patient to that plastic surgery — because a rhinoplasty isn’t always about a person’s aesthetic appearance. Often it — and other reconstructive plastic surgeries — are about bettering a person’s physical and emotional health. Below, we’ll look at this procedure and others under the lens of reconstructive plastic surgery.

1. Rhinoplasty

As we already mentioned it, let’s look at rhinoplasty first. This procedure is more commonly known as a “nose job” and due to its relative simplicity, is one of the more popular plastic surgeries on the market. While it’s true that many people do have this procedure done for purely aesthetic reasons, as any ear nose and throat specialist can tell you, there are many issues that can be solved through a rhinoplasty. A rhinoplasty can be a treatment for someone that has a congenital abnormality of the nose. These abnormalities — some of them being as seemingly simple as a deviated septum — can limit a person’s ability to breathe through their nose. This can lead to issues with sleeping and exercising, and in general can limit a person’s quality of life. In this case, an ear nose and throat specialist will work with a plastic surgeon in order to find the best possible options for reconstruction. A rhinoplasty may also be done following trauma of the nose to return to close to its original form. This can not only help a person feel better physically, but emotionally.

2. Scar Revision

Scarring doesn’t always limit a person’s physical ability. While some scarring is extensive enough to limit mobility, most often the issue with scarring is its emotional effect. People feel bad about themselves when they have visible scars — especially if those scars are on the face. While you shouldn’t be judged by your physical appearance — or judge yourself, for that matter — the reality is that many people want their scars to simply vanish. While a plastic surgeon can’t make scars “go away”, they can severely reduce the appearance of scars through many different procedures. Some of these procedures may involve skin grafts, while others do not. The type of procedure will depend on the type of scar — many go to the doctor for burn-related scars. Skin cancer also often affects the face, leaving scarring after treatment is finished. With that being said, it’s important that you find the right plastic surgeon for this procedure — it is delicate.

3. General Facial Reconstruction

While some congenital abnormalities require facial reconstruction beginning in infancy, most often facial reconstruction occurs following some kind of trauma. Facial reconstruction surgery always varies depending on what the specific patient’s needs are. Unlike scar revision, this type of procedure can often involve reconstructing underlying bones. It’s complicated — but for many, this procedure can again not only help a person function better physically, but mentally as well. It’s important work — and should never be dismissed as simply “cosmetic”.