Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic Surgery is a surgical sub-specialty dedicated to the restoration of patients' facial and body parts injured or disfigured by trauma, burns, disease, developmental abnormalities or congenital defects. It also covers Cosmetic Surgery (also known as Aesthetic Surgery) which deals with improving specific features of patients as desired by them by means of such operations as facelift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation etc. Please see the answer to the question "What is the difference between Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?" for more details.

 

Does Plastic Surgery use "plastic"?
No. The term "plastic" as used in Plastic Surgery is derived from the Greek word "plastikos" and the Latin word "plasticere" both of which means "to mould". It does not refer to the actual materials used in the course of the surgery itself. Normally, the Plastic Surgeon will make use of the patient's own tissues from another location of the body to achieve the required results.

What's the difference between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery?
As we have already seen, Plastic Surgery is normally done to restore a disfigured part of the body or to improve the "looks" of a body part. In the former case, Plastic Surgery serves primarily to improve the health of the patient or the functioning of an organ, and it is considered a medical necessity. This type of surgery may or may not improve the patient's "looks", but is intended only to correct a physical abnormality caused by a birth defect, disease or tumor, trauma, or infection. For example, a patient may undergo corrective rhinoplasty to improve the flow of air through the nose, and such procedures are classified as Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.
      On the other hand, as in the latter case, if Plastic Surgery is performed with the primary aim of improving the "looks" of a patient, it is not considered a medical necessity, and therefore is classified as Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery is performed to enhance or change a healthy, normal, functioning part of the body based solely on the patient's desire for physical improvement.

 

Do you have patients' "before" and "after" photographs?
We certainly do, but as a matter of policy we do not display them in public. A few of our patients have consented to make available their photographs to prospective patients within our premises. During the time of your personal consultation you may go through these.

 

Are Plastic Surgery operations particularly painful?
Each Plastic Surgery procedure carries with it a different degree of pain and discomfort. Normally, small, non-invasive procedures would only involve a topical anesthetic, whereas minor invasive surgeries may require local anesthetic or local combined with sedation. In complex and multiple procedures, general anesthesia is usually used. These different methods of anesthetizing help minimize the patient's pain and discomfort during plastic surgery. Post-operatively, patients are prescribed pain medications which help minimize discomfort.

What is the typical recovery period for most operations?
On an average, it takes about one to two weeks for most common procedures. However, this varies with the particular procedure in question and the general condition of the patient's health.

What are the risks involved in Plastic Surgery?
As with all types of surgeries in general, Plastic Surgery too carries its own risks such as infection, bleeding, scarring, and anesthesia reactions. And in certain types of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, the outcome may not exactly match the original requirement of the patient in terms of "looks".

How do I schedule a personal consultation with Dr. R.K. Mishra?
The first step would be for you to get in touch with us with your details through our "Contact" page so we can get to know more about your needs and schedule a personal consultation subsequently.