Plastic [Greek - plastikos] giving form, to mold or fashion into various forms.

Modern plastic surgery emerged from the ashes of World War II, when soldiers mutilated on the battlefield were restored by an innovative group of surgeons who would go on to define the specialty, train other surgeons, and give uniquely creative surgeons an outlet for their skills. Hence, plastic surgery is a surgical subspecialty devoted to reconstruction, repair, correction and improvement of malformed, deformed, injured, or lost tissue. While other surgical specialties are devoted to removing diseased tissues, plastic surgeons rearrange tissue, sometimes removing, sometimes adding tissues. Although "plastic" in common terms would suggest that an artificial material is used, the vast majority of plastic surgery is done with the patient’s own tissues.

There are two broad categories within the field of plastic surgery, reconstructive and cosmetic. Are you aware that the same surgeons who are portrayed in the media "nip and tuck" specialists are actually engaged in correction of birth defects such as cleft lip, reconstruction of breasts, caring for burned patients, and reattaching severed fingers long after other physicians have gone to bed? It is fortunate that the same skills that make for an excellent reconstructive surgeon apply directly to cosmetic surgery, where the surgery itself is elective but the expectations are every bit as high.

What training does my plastic surgeon have?

Plastic surgery requires a residency training after completion of a four year medical degree. These residencies typically vary from six to seven years in length, with prerequisite training in general surgery, orthopedics, or otolaryngology leading to a two year intense exposure to the concepts and operations required for the plastic surgeon. There is no speciality that places as much emphasis on the artistic talent of the surgeon, and many are accomplished artists and musicians prior to training in plastic surgery; plastic surgery requires creativity and the open mind of an artist to tackle complex operations. It is simply not enough to score well on standardized examinations.

What is Board Certification?

The American Board of Medical Specialties oversees a number of specialty boards, including the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification is a quality-control measure of the physician, and in order to become board certified the applicant must complete an approved residency training program and submit to examination. For the consumer, it’s a good idea to sort out which physicians are seeking or have established board certification. In plastic surgery, both a written examination and oral examination are administered, in which the surgeon is required to present surgical cases for review. It’s wise also to determine whether the "board certification" is actually under the auspices of the American Board of Medical Specialties or whether the "board" requires nothing but a hefty check for certification.

	Liposuction		Eyelid Surgery		Hair Replacement
	Facelift		Abdomen Surgery		Skin Lasering
	Breast Lift		Breast Augmentation		Ear Surgery
	Rhinoplasty		Thigh & Buttock Lift

Seattle Head Neck & Plastic Surgeons also has a Rejuvenation Center that offers:

	Endermologie		Glycolic Skin Care Program
	High-resolution color imaging		Collagen Therapy