Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

An Introduction to Plastic Surgery

The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word "plastikos" which means "to mold". Some types of plastic surgery were done as early as 100 BC and were primarily attempts to restore normal form to body parts that had been altered due to injury or war. 

In the 16^th century, Gasparo Tagliacozzi (1545-1599), an Italian surgeon, known as the “father of plastic surgery”, developed a technique of nasal reconstruction by using a pedicled flap of skin taken from the inner arm of the patient. In order to graft the skin onto the nose, Tagliacozzi studied a method, still common today, which consisted of binding the patient’s arm to the site of the skin graft. Gaspare Tagliacozzi is to be credited with having raised plastic surgery of the nose from an empirical operation to a scientific procedure, from a “trade” to a “scientific discipline”, and with having described this process in an authoritative textbook.

Tagliacozzi, professor of surgery and anatomy at the University of Bologna, published De curtorum chirurgia  (1597) to instruct surgeons on all they needed to know about reconstructing noses and ears. It was the first published work on plastic surgery. The work's twenty-two plates depict every step of the process of rhinoplasty and are among the best-known illustrations in the history of medicine. Shown here is the patient, immobilized in a vest of Tagliacozzi's devising, waiting for the skin graft taken the arm to adhere to the nose. The process was supposed to take two to three weeks.

Many parts of his treatise are impressive even today for the precision of the procedures to be followed during the operation, the meticulous care of the wounds and the design of special surgical instruments for this type of operation. Although he became quite famous, certain Church officials felt that Tagliacozzi was trying to undo God’s work and persecuted him.

Cosmetic surgery is one of many branches of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that continues to gain in popularity. Plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery generally have strong backgrounds in reconstructive plastic surgery; therefore, have considerable experience operating in a variety of areas.

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The Plastic Surgery Center of Manchester, New Hampshire specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery, including body lifts, breast enlargements, breast lifts, breast reductions, eyelid surgery, ear surgery, facelifts, fat grafting, liposuction, male breast reductions (gynecomastia), neck and chin surgery, nose surgery (rhinoplasty), surgery after massive weight loss, tummy tucks and BOTOX® Cosmetic for vaginismus. We also offer facial rejuvenation (chemical peels, dermabrasion, Obagi Blue Peels, Glycolic Peels, Microdermabrasion), injectables and facial fillers (BOTOX® Cosmetic, Radiesse®, Juvederm®, Perlane® and Restylane®) and advanced skin care to patients from all over New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts). While no responsible practitioner gives guarantees for the work they do on the human body, we can at least reassure you that you will receive the expertise and dedication of over 30 years in practice. Our patients become an important part of our family and we try to get to know each patient individually and customize their treatment to meet their desires. Visit our skincare website to purchase MD Forte, Obagi-C Rx, Obagi NuDerm, Prevage and Vivite advanced skincare products.