How Plastic Surgeons Got Their Name

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Posted on July 9, 2021 under Cosmetic Surgery

How Was the Name Plastic Surgery Derived?

The term plastic surgery was derived from the Greek words “plastike” and “teckhne.” This is the art of sculpting or modeling. The profession originated in India in roughly 800 BC for the reconstruction of amputated noses. Ancient Romans and Egyptians performed plastic surgery for the restoration of lip and ear defects.

In 1937, the ABPS or American Board of Plastic Surgery was established. In 1941, the ABMS or American Board of Medical Specialties provided the ABPS with a major specialty board.

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is the enhancement, rejuvenation, and restoration of patients through surgery. The two main categories of plastic surgery are cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Jabs, Dr. Richards, and Dr. Magge of Cosmetic Surgery Associates in Bethesda, MD have performed reconstructive plastic surgery for the correction of impairments resulting from:

  • Congenital abnormalities such as cleft lips and palates
    • Traumatic injuries including breaks and fractures of facial bones
    • Disease, infections, tumors, and cancer
    • Developmental abnormalities

Reconstructive plastic surgery is generally to improve function and can be used for the approximation of a normal appearance or form. Cosmetic plastic surgery uses techniques to enhance appearance through medical and surgical techniques. All three doctors focus their practice on the art of Cosmetic plastic surgery.  The main purpose is maintaining, enhancing, or restoring a normal appearance. The plastic surgery field encompasses numerous surgical fields including:

  • Burns
    • Body and breast contouring
    • Oculoplastic and pediatric surgery
    • Microsurgery
    • Hand, craniofacial, and cosmetic surgery

Dr. Joseph Murray won the Nobel Prize as the first plastic surgeon to perform a kidney transplant. Becoming an ABPS certified plastic surgeon requires complicated training and time.

What is an ASPS Plastic Surgeon?

Every plastic surgeon certified by the ASPS began as a physician. These physicians then graduated both college and medical school. Three years of training after completing medical school are required for radiologists, pediatricians and family practitioners. ASPS certified plastic surgeons are required to complete post-graduate surgical training for a minimum of five years.

Additional fellowship or residency training is extremely common. Many ASPS-certified plastic surgeons complete additional studies for specific plastic surgery fields including cosmetic, micro, and craniofacial surgery. All of these surgeons are experienced and well-trained. Initial plastic surgery training encompasses many areas including general surgery, ENT, urology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics.

The time required for the plastic surgery core curriculum is between two and five years. This is dependent on the experience and background of the candidate and the specific training program. The process is extensive. The majority of ASPS members have roughly 14 to 16 years of education and have passed between three and five national certification exams in oral and written forms.

The field of plastic surgery has a heavy price for entry. These surgeons learn the art of surgery enabling them to enhance, rejuvenate and restore their patients. Everything began many years ago in the past through the craft of sculpting and modeling the human form.

Schedule a Consultation

To schedule your appointment with Cosmetic Surgery Associates in Bethesda, MD fill out a contact form online today.

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Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers