A
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): A surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.
Anesthesia: The method of controlling pain during surgery. It can be general (affecting the whole body) or local (affecting a specific area).
Augmentation Mammoplasty (Breast Augmentation): A surgical procedure to increase breast size, typically using implants.
Autologous Fat Transfer (Fat Grafting): A procedure that involves removing fat from one part of the body via liposuction and injecting it into another area to enhance volume.
Alarplasty: A cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at narrowing the width of the nostril base, often part of rhinoplasty.
B
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): A surgical procedure to correct defects, deformities, and disfigurations of the eyelids; and to aesthetically modify the eye region of the face.
Breast Reduction: A procedure to remove excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate discomfort associated with overly large breasts.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy): A surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): A cosmetic procedure that involves the transfer of fat to help create more fullness in your backside.
Botox: A neurotoxic protein used cosmetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles and medically to treat certain muscular conditions.
C
Chin Augmentation (Mentoplasty): A surgical procedure to reshape the chin either by enhancement with an implant or reduction surgery on the bone.
Capsulectomy: The surgical removal of the capsule or scar tissue that can form around a breast implant.
Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Surgical procedures to correct congenital deformities of the upper lip and roof of the mouth.
Collagen Injection: A cosmetic procedure where collagen is injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, soften creases, or enhance facial contours.
Chemical Peel: A technique used to improve the appearance of the skin on the face, neck, or hands. A chemical solution is applied to the skin, causing it to exfoliate and eventually peel off, revealing more youthful skin beneath.
D
Dermabrasion: A surgical procedure to refinish the top skin layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping, which smooths the skin and helps to reduce the appearance of scars, skin lesions, or wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers: Injectable products used to restore facial volume, create angles, and soften wrinkles or folds. Common fillers include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid.
Diastasis Recti Repair: A surgical correction for the separation of the abdominal muscles, which can occur after pregnancy or due to significant weight gain, typically part of abdominoplasty.
Double Eyelid Surgery (Asian Blepharoplasty): A cosmetic surgery procedure to create or enhance an upper eyelid crease in people who have a single eyelid or undefined fold.
Drainage Tubes: Temporarily used during post-operative care for certain surgeries like abdominoplasty and breast reduction to prevent fluid accumulation (seroma or hematoma) by allowing excess fluid to exit the body.
E
Endoscopic Surgery: A minimally invasive surgery technique using an endoscope to access the interior of the body through small incisions, often used in facial plastic surgeries like brow lifts.
Excision: The act of removing tissue, usually skin or tumors, during surgery. This term is common in procedures to remove cancerous growths or skin lesions.
Eyebrow Lift (Forehead Lift): A surgical procedure to raise the eyebrows and reduce ridges and furrows on the forehead, creating a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Explantation: The process of removing previously implanted devices, such as breast implants, from the body. This can be due to complications, desire to return to the original anatomy, or to replace old implants.
Elastin: A protein in connective tissue that allows the skin to resume its shape after stretching or contracting. Some cosmetic treatments aim to stimulate elastin production to reduce sagging and improve skin elasticity.
F
Facelift (Rhytidectomy): A surgical procedure to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and other signs of aging, with the goal of improving the overall appearance of the face and jaw.
Fat Grafting (Fat Transfer): The process of taking fat from one part of the body and injecting it into another area to enhance volume, such as in the face for a more youthful appearance or the buttocks for a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Forehead Lift (Brow Lift): A cosmetic procedure to elevate drooping eyebrows and remove forehead wrinkles, often performed to achieve a more alert and youthful appearance.
Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing: A cosmetic treatment that uses a laser to reduce the appearance of scars, lines, and wrinkles by creating microscopic wounds within the targeted areas, which stimulates collagen production during healing.
Fillers: See Dermal Fillers.
G
Gastric Sleeve: Not typically categorized under plastic surgery but rather a bariatric procedure. It involves removing a portion of the stomach to aid in weight loss, which may lead to subsequent plastic surgeries for excess skin removal.
Gynecomastia Surgery: A procedure to reduce breast size in men, resolving the effects of gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of the glandular tissue of the male breast.
Gluteal Augmentation (Buttock Augmentation): A procedure to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks, commonly performed using implants or fat grafting (Brazilian Butt Lift).
Granuloma: A kind of inflammation that occurs in a granular lump, often as a reaction to foreign bodies, such as fillers or implants used in plastic surgery.
Graft: A piece of living tissue that is transplanted surgically to repair a damaged area of the body. Skin, bone, and fat grafts are commonly used in various reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.
H
Hyaluronic Acid: A substance commonly used in dermal fillers to add volume and smooth wrinkles. It’s naturally found in the body’s connective tissues.
Hematoma: A collection of blood outside of blood vessels, usually in liquid form within the tissue. It can occur as a complication after plastic surgery.
Hair Transplantation: A surgical technique that moves hair follicles from one part of the body to another to restore hair growth in bald or balding parts of the scalp.
Hypertrophic Scar: An excessively thick and raised scar that develops where skin is injured. Scar revision procedures may reduce their appearance.
Hand Rejuvenation: Procedures aimed at making the hands look younger. This can include fat grafting, laser treatments, and the use of fillers.
I
Implants: Medical devices placed inside the body to enhance an existing part of the body such as breasts (breast implants) or cheeks (facial implants).
Incision: A cut made through the skin and tissue by a surgeon in order to perform a surgical procedure. The placement and size of incisions are planned to minimize scarring.
Intravenous Sedation: Medication administered through a vein to help a patient relax or sleep during surgery. Often used in combination with local anesthesia.
Invasive Procedures: Surgical techniques that involve making cuts or incisions in the body, as opposed to non-invasive procedures that do not break the skin.
Injectables: A broad category of substances that can be injected into the skin or underlying tissues, including botox and dermal fillers, used to enhance appearance or reduce signs of aging.
J
Jawline Contouring: A cosmetic procedure aimed at enhancing the shape of the jaw and chin. This can involve surgical implants, liposuction, or injectable fillers to create a more defined jawline.
Juvederm®: A brand of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers used to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. It’s also used for lip augmentation and to enhance facial contours.
J-Plasma/Renuvion®: A minimally invasive procedure using cold plasma energy on the underside of the skin to tighten and rejuvenate the skin. Often used in conjunction with liposuction for enhanced skin tightening effects.
Jowl Lift: Surgical procedure aimed at reducing sagging of the lower cheeks (jowls) and improving the contour of the jawline.
Jessner’s Peel: A type of chemical peel using a combination of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol in an ethanol base. It’s used to treat acne, uneven skin tone, and fine lines by removing the upper layers of the skin.
K
Keloid Scar: A raised, often large and dark, scar that grows excessively beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Keloid scars are more common in certain skin types and can be treated with steroid injections, laser therapy, or surgery.
Kybella®: An injectable treatment used to reduce submental fat, commonly known as a double chin. It contains deoxycholic acid, which breaks down and absorbs dietary fat.
Keratinocyte: A type of cell that makes up the majority of the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. These cells play a crucial role in wound healing and skin renewal.
KTP Laser: A laser treatment that uses a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystal to produce green light. It’s effective for treating vascular lesions, such as spider veins and port-wine stains, as well as for skin rejuvenation.
Knuckle Pads (Garrod’s Pads): Thickened skin over the joints of the fingers, often related to repetitive trauma or genetic factors. Not a primary concern in plastic surgery but may be considered in comprehensive hand rejuvenation.
L
Labiaplasty: A surgical procedure that reduces the size and reshapes the labia minora, the inner lips of the vulva, often for cosmetic reasons or to relieve discomfort.
Laser Hair Removal: A cosmetic procedure that uses laser light to target and destroy hair follicles, resulting in the reduction of hair growth.
Laser Resurfacing: A procedure that uses a laser to improve the skin’s appearance by removing layers of skin. It can be used to treat wrinkles, sun damage, and scars.
Liposuction: A surgical procedure that removes excess fat from various parts of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and neck, to reshape them.
Lip Augmentation: A cosmetic procedure aimed at giving the patient fuller, plumper lips, typically using injectable dermal fillers.
M
Mastopexy (Breast Lift): A surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the remaining tissue and nipples.
Microdermabrasion: A non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses fine crystals or a diamond tip to exfoliate and remove the superficial layer of dry, dead skin cells.
Mentoplasty (Chin Surgery): A surgical procedure aimed at reshaping the chin either by enhancement with an implant or reduction surgery on the bone.
Mohs Surgery: A precise surgical technique used to treat skin cancer. It involves removing the cancerous tissue layer by layer and examining each layer under a microscope until no cancer cells remain.
Mommy Makeover: A combination of cosmetic surgeries designed to restore or improve post-pregnancy bodies, typically including a tummy tuck, breast lift, augmentation, or reduction, and sometimes liposuction.
N
Nasolabial Fold: Deep creases that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth, often targeted in facial rejuvenation procedures with dermal fillers or facelifts.
Neck Lift (Cervicoplasty or Platysmaplasty): A surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck, including removing excess skin and fat, and sometimes tightening the muscles.
Necrosis: The death of cells or tissues in the body, which can be a complication of plastic surgery, particularly in procedures involving skin flaps or grafts.
Non-ablative Laser Treatment: Laser treatments that heat the underlying skin tissue without harming the surface, stimulating collagen production and improving skin tone and texture without significant downtime.
Neuromodulators: Injectable substances like Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin, used to temporarily relax facial muscles, reduce wrinkles, and prevent new lines from forming.
O
Otoplasty (Ear Surgery): A surgical procedure to change the shape, position, or size of the ears, often performed to correct protruding ears or deformities.
Obagi Blue Peel: A type of medium-depth chemical peel using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) combined with a blue tint that helps the surgeon determine the depth of the peel and offers therapeutic benefits for the skin.
Open Rhinoplasty: A rhinoplasty technique where incisions are made across the columella (the small strip of tissue between the nostrils), allowing the surgeon direct visibility and access to the underlying structures.
OnabotulinumtoxinA: The scientific name for Botox, a neuromodulator injected into muscles to temporarily reduce muscle activity for cosmetic or therapeutic purposes.
Orbicularis Oculi: The muscle around the eye that is responsible for closing the eyelids. It is often targeted in cosmetic procedures to reduce wrinkles or in blepharoplasty for a more youthful appearance.
P
Platysmaplasty: A surgical procedure aimed at tightening the platysma muscle in the neck, often part of a neck lift or facelift to reduce the appearance of loose, sagging skin and create a more defined jawline.
Ptosis Repair: Surgery to correct drooping of the upper eyelid due to abnormal muscle function or laxity of skin. This condition can impair vision and appearance.
Phalloplasty: Reconstructive surgery to construct, reconstruct, or cosmetically enhance the penis. It’s often performed for gender confirmation surgery, penile abnormalities, or as penile enlargement.
Photorejuvenation: A skin treatment that uses lasers, intense pulsed light, or photodynamic therapy to treat skin conditions and remove effects of photoaging such as wrinkles, spots, and textures.
Prosthesis: An artificial device used to replace a missing body part, such as breasts in breast reconstruction surgery following mastectomy.
Q
Quadrantectomy: A type of breast-conserving surgery or lumpectomy where approximately a quarter of the breast tissue is removed, typically performed when dealing with breast cancer. Not strictly a plastic surgery term but relevant in reconstructive breast surgery contexts.
QuickLift®: A minimally invasive facelift technique designed to lift and tighten the skin of the face and neck to reduce signs of aging with less downtime than traditional facelifts.
Q-Switched Lasers: Specialized lasers used in dermatology and plastic surgery for removing tattoos, pigmented lesions, and for skin rejuvenation by emitting high-energy pulses.
R
Rhinoplasty (Nose Job): A surgical procedure to change the shape of the nose for cosmetic reasons or to improve breathing.
Rhytidectomy (Facelift): A cosmetic surgical procedure to create a more youthful facial appearance. It involves removing excess facial skin, with or without tightening underlying tissues, and redraping the skin on the patient’s face and neck.
Retinoids: A class of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A, used in various skin care products and treatments. They’re known to reduce wrinkles, dark spots, and acne by promoting skin cell turnover.
Radiesse®: A dermal filler that is injected into the skin to stimulate collagen production, used to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
Reconstructive Surgery: Surgery performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease. It is generally done to improve function but may also be performed to approximate a normal appearance.
Let’s continue the glossary with terms related to plastic surgery under the letters S, T, and U:
S
Septoplasty: A surgical procedure aimed at correcting a deviated septum, the wall between the two nostrils. This can improve breathing, correct nasal structure, and sometimes contribute to the aesthetic appearance of the nose.
Sclerotherapy: A procedure used to treat blood vessels or blood vessel malformations. A medicine is injected into the vessels, making them shrink. It’s often used for varicose and spider veins.
Skin Grafting: A type of graft surgery involving the transplantation of skin. It’s performed to replace skin that has been damaged or lost due to burns, injuries, or surgery.
Submental Liposuction: A procedure that removes excess fat from under the chin, commonly referred to as double chin reduction. It can define the jawline and improve the profile.
Silicone Implants: Artificial devices used in various cosmetic surgeries like breast augmentation or reconstruction, made of a silicone shell filled with silicone gel.
T
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): A cosmetic surgical procedure to improve the abdomen’s appearance by removing excess skin and fat and tightening muscles in the abdominal wall.
Thigh Lift: A surgical procedure to remove skin and fat from the thighs to tighten the skin and improve the contour of the legs.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peel: A type of chemical peel used to treat sun damage, facial wrinkles, and uneven skin tone by applying trichloroacetic acid to remove dead skin cells.
Tissue Expansion: A procedure that enables the body to “grow” extra skin by stretching surrounding tissue. This is used in reconstructive surgery to repair skin damaged by burns, injury, or surgery.
Top Surgery: A term often used in the context of gender confirmation surgery, referring to the surgical procedures to increase or decrease the size of a person’s breasts to better match their gender identity.
U
Ultrasonic Liposuction: A form of liposuction that uses ultrasonic vibrations to liquefy fat cells before removal. This technique allows for easier removal of fat, especially in dense areas.
Umbilicoplasty: A cosmetic surgery procedure to change the appearance of the belly button (navel). It’s often performed as part of a tummy tuck or as a standalone procedure to create a more desired belly button shape.
Under Eye Fillers: Injectable treatments used to address hollows, dark circles, and wrinkles under the eyes. Fillers can add volume and smooth out the skin for a rejuvenated appearance.
UV Light Therapy: A treatment that uses ultraviolet light to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. It’s not a surgical procedure but is often used in dermatology and cosmetic skin care.
Upper Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): A procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, often sought by patients who have experienced significant weight loss and have loose, sagging skin as a result.
V
Vaser Liposuction: Also known as LipoSelection, this is a type of ultrasonic liposuction that uses high-frequency sound waves to liquefy fat before it is removed. This technique allows for more precise fat removal with potentially less swelling and bruising.
Vaginoplasty: A surgical procedure aimed at tightening the vaginal canal, often sought after childbirth or as part of gender confirmation surgery. It can also reconstruct the vagina in cases of congenital conditions or injury.
Varicose Vein Treatment: Procedures to remove or reduce varicose veins, which are swollen, twisted veins visible under the skin. Treatments can include sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and surgery.
Voluma: A type of dermal filler designed specifically to add volume to the cheeks, cheekbones, and chin. It’s made from hyaluronic acid and can provide lift and contour to facial features.
V-Y Lip Augmentation: A surgical technique for lip enhancement that involves creating a V-shaped incision and suturing it in a Y-shape to increase lip fullness and projection.
W
Wound Dehiscence: A surgical complication where a wound ruptures along a surgical incision, which can occur in the days or weeks after surgery. It may require additional treatment or surgery to repair.
Wrinkle Fillers: See Dermal Fillers.
W-Plasty: A surgical technique used in scar revision to improve the cosmetic appearance of scars by making them less noticeable. It involves cutting out the scar in small, zigzag lines and then suturing the skin together.
X
Xeomin®: A brand of botulinum toxin type A, similar to Botox, used for cosmetic purposes to temporarily reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and lines.
Xanthelasma: Small, yellowish fatty deposits that occur on the eyelids or around the eyes. While not harmful, they can be removed for cosmetic reasons through various methods including surgery, laser, or cryotherapy.
X-ray in Plastic Surgery: While not a procedure, X-rays can be used in the planning stages of certain plastic surgeries or to evaluate the progress of bone healing after reconstructive surgeries.
Y
YAG Laser: A type of laser commonly used in various cosmetic procedures, including laser hair removal, skin resurfacing, and the treatment of spider veins. The YAG laser emits a wavelength of light that penetrates the skin deeper than other types of lasers.
Youthful Contouring: Refers to a range of procedures aimed at restoring a more youthful appearance to the face or body. This can include facelifts, brow lifts, eyelid surgery, and non-surgical treatments like fillers and botox to enhance facial features and reduce signs of aging.
Y-V Plasty: A surgical technique used to modify the shape of the nostrils or to correct minor deformities in the tip of the nose. It involves making a Y-shaped incision, removing or repositioning tissue, and then suturing it back in a V shape to alter the structure.
Y-Chromosome Analysis in Plastic Surgery: While not a procedure, genetic analysis, including Y-chromosome testing, can be relevant in cases of gender confirmation surgery to understand the genetic makeup of a patient and tailor procedures accordingly.
Z
Z-Plasty: A surgical technique used in scar revision. It involves making two incisions in the shape of a “Z” around the scar. This allows the scar tissue to be repositioned, reducing its visibility and changing the direction of the scar to more closely align with natural skin folds.
Zygoma Reduction (Cheekbone Reduction): A surgical procedure aimed at reducing the size of the cheekbones to alter the facial contour for aesthetic purposes. It’s often sought by individuals seeking a more refined facial structure.
Zinc Oxide: While not a direct plastic surgery procedure, zinc oxide is often used in post-procedure care, particularly in sunscreens and skin protectants. It helps protect healing skin from UV damage.
Zerona® Laser: A non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses low-level laser therapy to target fat cells, causing them to release their contents. It’s used for fat reduction in areas like the waist, hips, and thighs without surgery.
Zoom Plastic Surgery: Referring to the trend where individuals seek plastic surgery procedures to improve their appearance on video conferencing platforms like Zoom. This has included treatments like facelifts, eyelid surgery, and skin rejuvenation procedures to enhance one’s appearance on camera.
