Plastic Surgery Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to the appropriate section of the glossary. If the term you are looking for starts with a digit or symbol, choose the "#" link.

- A -

Abdominoplasty: A tummy tuck.

Aesthetic: To do with the perception of beauty.

Areola: Pigmented area around the nipple.

Augmentation Mammaplasty: Enlarging the breast surgically.

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- B -

Blepharoplasty: An eyelid tuck.

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- C -

Certified Plastic Surgeon: A medical doctor who has completed an approved 5+ year residency after medical school and passed the examinations in plastic surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Chemical Peel: Removing the outer layers of the skin with a mild acid.

Cosmetic Surgeon: Any medical doctor who feels like calling himself a cosmetic surgeon.

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- D -

Dermabrasion: Sanding off the outer layers of the skin.

Drains: Small tubes placed under the skin to remove blood and body fluids after surgery.

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Endoscope: A small telescope-like device for performing surgery through small incisions.

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- F -

Facial Rejuvenation: Any procedure to make the face look younger.

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General Anesthesia: Being put to sleep for surgery.

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Hematoma: Collection of blood between the skin and underlying tissues.

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- L -

Liposuction: Removal of fat by sucking it out through a tube or cannula.

Local Anesthesia: An injection of medication to freeze or numb tissues before surgery.

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- M -

Malar Augmentation: Enlarging the cheekbones.

Mastopexy: Lifting the breast.

Mentoplasty: Reshaping of the chin.

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Prosthesis: Any artificial replacement for natural tissue (e.g., a breast prosthesis to enlarge the breast).

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- R -

Reduction Mammaplasty: Making the breast smaller.

Rejuvenation: To make more youthful

Rhinoplasty: Altering the appearance of the nose by cutting and re-positioning the nasal bones and trimming the bone and/or cartilage as needed.

Rhytidectomy: A facelift.

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Sedation: A medicine to make you relaxed or drowsy.

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Umbilicus: Belly button.

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