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What a plastic surgeon does

A plastic surgeon restores form and function to the body (reconstructive surgery) and improves appearance (cosmetic or aesthetic surgery). After MBBS and an MS in General Surgery, training is an MCh or DNB in Plastic Surgery. Many people think plastic surgery is only cosmetic; in fact much of the work is reconstruction after injury, burns, cancer and birth defects.

Reconstructive procedures

• Burn care, skin grafts and scar revision.
• Cleft lip and palate repair and other birth differences.
• Hand and nerve surgery after injury, and reconstruction of limbs.
• Breast reconstruction after cancer surgery.
• Wound and pressure sore coverage, including for diabetic foot wounds.
• Head and neck reconstruction, and facial injury repair.

Cosmetic procedures

Rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, face lift, breast augmentation or reduction, liposuction, tummy tuck, hair transplant and non-surgical treatments such as fillers and botulinum injections. Results vary and no procedure is risk-free.

Choosing safely

• Check that your surgeon holds an MCh/DNB in Plastic Surgery and is registered; cosmetic procedures are sometimes done by practitioners without surgical training.
• Ask how many similar procedures they have done, and see realistic before-and-after examples.
• Ensure surgery is done in an accredited hospital with an anaesthetist and emergency facilities.
• Be wary of heavy discounts, pressure to decide quickly and guarantees of results.

Before surgery and costs

Pre-operative tests commonly include CBC, blood sugar, clotting tests and an ECG. Quit smoking before surgery to help healing. Consultation fees commonly range from about ₹800 to ₹2,500 and may vary; procedure costs vary widely, and cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by insurance. Compare plastic surgeons and book on Lab Dekho.

Trusted References

This guide is original content informed by recognised medical and public-health sources. For further reading:

• NABH – hospital accreditation standards
• NABL – laboratory accreditation
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Mayo Clinic – Patient care & health information
• Cleveland Clinic – Health Library
• WebMD – Health A–Z

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. Costs and fees are approximate and vary by provider. Institution names are given for orientation only; check current services and timings directly. In an emergency, call 108 or 112.