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Plastic Surgery Glossary

Here at about.com, your guides to health topics try to write content in terms that anyone can understand, avoiding medical jargon when at all possible. However, use of medical terms is occasionally necessary for clarity and accuracy. Therefore, I offer you this glossary of commonly used terms relating to plastic surgery.

Abdominoplasty

Definition of Abdominoplasty

Abscess

Definition of abscess

Actinic Keratosis

Definition of actinic keratosis

Areola

Definition of areola

Biocompatible

Definition of Biocompatible

Blepharoplasty

Definition of Blepharoplasty

Botox

Definition of Botox

Bottoming Out

What Is Bottoming Out

Brachioplasty

Definition of Brachioplasty

Cannula

Learn the definition of cannula and how it is used during cosmetic body contouring liposuction surgery.

Capsular Contracture

Definition of Capsular Contracture

Capsulectomy

The most common complication of breast augmentation is capsular contracture. One of the ways to fix the problem is capsulectomy.

Capsulotomy

Complications following breast augmentation sometimes require breast revision surgery. One common complication, capsular contracture, is sometimes improved with a procedure called capsulotomy.

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Laser

Definition of the Co2 Carbon Dioxide laser

Contraindication

Definition of Contraindication

Corrugator Myectomy

Definition of Corrugator Myectomy

Dermabrasion

Definition of dermabrasion

Dermatography

Definition of Dermatography

Dermis Definition

The dermis is where wrinkles start, so let's learn more about what the dermis is and what it does for your skin.

Deviated Septum

Definition of deviated septum

Deviated Septum

Definition of deviated septum

Diastasis Recti

Definition of Diastasis Recti

Diode Laser

Definition of diode laser

Double Bubble

What Is Double Bubble

Edema

Definition of Edema

Endoscope

Your doctor may say that she'll be using an endoscope during your surgery. Learn the definition of an endoscope.

Endoscopic

Definition of Endoscopic

Epidermis

The epidermis is the human body's first line of defense against the environment.

Erbium:YAG

Definition of Erbium YAG

Erythema

Definition of Erythema

Fibroblast

What are fibroblasts and what do they have to do with the structure and support of the skin?

Fractional Laser (Fraxel)

Definition of fractional laser - Fraxel

General Anesthesia

When talking to your doctor about a surgery you need, she may tell you that you'll require general anesthesia. What is general anesthesia? Learn the definition.

Granuloma

Learn about the definition, characteristics, cause, and treatment of granuloma.

Gynecomastia

Definition of Gynecomastia

Hemangioma

Definition of hemangioma

Hematoma

Definition of Hematoma

Hyperpigmentation

Definition of Hyperpigmentation

Hypertrophic Scar

Definition of Hypertrophic Scar

Hypodermis

What is the hypodermis? You've probably heard of the top two layers of skin, the dermis and the epidermis, but many people have never heard of the layer of connective tissue and fat known as the hypodermis.

Hypopigmentation

Definition of hypopigmentation

Intravenous Sedation

When you get a surgical procedure done, you may require intravenous sedation (IV sedation). What does IV sedation entail? Learn the definition.

Keloid Scar

Definition of Keloid

LED

Definition of LED

Lipoatrophy

Lipoatrophy is a generally undesirable cosmetic condition which can be treated with injection of dermal fillers. Learn more about the definition of lipoatrophy.

Lipodissolve

Definition of lipodissolve

Local Anesthesia

Definition of Local Anesthesia

Malrotation

Definition of Malrotation

Marionette Lines

Definition of marionette lines

Mastopexy

Definition of mastopexy

Medpor

Medpor is a material used in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Learn the definition of Medpor.

Melasma

Definition of melasma.

Mentoplasty

What is Mentoplasty? Learn the definition of Mentoplasty.

Mesotherapy

Definition of mesotherapy

Micropigmentation

Definition of Micropigmentation

Mohs Surgery Definition

Your dermatologist may recommend Mohs surgery if you are diagnosed with skin cancer, especially if the skin cancer is located on a prominent area like the face. What is Mohs surgery? Learn the definition of Mohs surgery.

Nasolabial Fold

Definition of Nasolabial Fold

Nd:YAG

Definition of Nd YAG

Necrosis

Definition of necrosis

Otoplasty

Definition of Otoplasty

Panniculectomy

When is a tummy tuck more than a tummy tuck? When it's the post-bariatric surgery called a panniculectomy.

Pectus Excavatum

Definition of pectus excavatum

Port Wine Stain

Definition of port wine stain.

Ptosis

Definition of Ptosis

Pulsed Dye Laser

Definition of pulsed dye laser.

Q-Switched Laser Definition

What is a Q-switched laser and how can it help you look better? Learn the definition of Q-switched laser and how it has advanced the world of cosmetic laser procedures.

Quill Threads

Definition of quill threads

Reconstructive Surgery

Definition of reconstructive Surgery

Rhytid

Definition of Rhytid

Rhytidectomy

Definition of Rhytidectomy

Rosacea

Definition of rosacea.

Scar Tissue

Definition of scar tissue

Selective Photothermolysis Definition

Selective photothermolysis is the key to success in laser tattoo removal and other cosmetic laser procedures. In fact, it's one of the main reasons today's technological advances in plastic surgery and cosmetic dermatology are possible. Learn what selective photothermolysis is and how it works.

Smart Lipo

Definition of smart lipo, a cosmetic procedure

SMAS

SMAS is a term used often when discussing face lift techniques. Learn what the SMAS is and why it's important if you are considering having face lift surgery.

Spider Nevus

Definition of spider nevus.

Sutures

Definition of Sutures

Symmastia

Ever heard the terms unaboob or breadloafing in relation to breast implants? That's symmastia. Learn more about this undesirable potential result of breast implant surgery.

Thermage

Definition of thermage, a cosmetic procedure

Tissue Glue

Definition of Tissue Glue

Topical Anesthetic Definition

What is a topical anesthetic? Well, if you're considering any sort of non-invasive or minimally invasive procedure, you are probably going to want to know a little something about what they are and how they work.

Trigonocephaly

Trigonocephaly is a congenital developmental defect which may at some point require craniofacial reconstructive surgery.

Tumescent Liposuction

Definition of tumescent liposuction

Venous Ulcer

What are venous ulcers? (also called varicose ulcers or stasis leg ulcers)
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