Plastic Surgery Is Not Just Cosmetic: It’s Life-Changing, Restorative Medicine

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 13:10 IST

Plastic surgery is about aesthetic judgment, precision, and compassion. It is one of the few specialties that combines medicine and art.

A substantial misconception is that plastic surgery is purely cosmetic, limited to facelifts, liposuction, and anti-ageing procedures. Anti-ageing or otherwise, aesthetic procedures are merely a subset of the specialty. Plastic surgery also includes reconstructive procedures, which restore both form and function—typically after trauma, cancer, burns, or congenital conditions.

Dr. Ashok B C, HOD – Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery & Chief of Medical Services, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru shares all you need to know:

The term “plastic” does not refer to synthetic material but derives from the Greek word plastikos, which means “to mould or shape.” One of the most common and mistaken assumptions is that we put plastic into the body.

Every day, plastic surgeons across the country assist patients in reclaiming their lives—a child born with a cleft lip, a woman recovering from breast cancer, or a person injured in a road accident. This is not just about beauty; it is about dignity and function, and about healing with purpose.

Every surgery involves certain risks, so it is best to entrust your procedure only to a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon. Ensure that the procedure is carried out in an accredited hospital with the appropriate infrastructure—all of which are indispensable for a safe and successful surgical experience.

Speaking of risks, there are also several misconceptions when it comes to plastic surgery. Sometimes, patients have unrealistic expectations—that plastic surgery won’t leave a scar, or that it provides an ‘instant transformation.’ While we use advanced techniques to minimize scarring and improve results, plastic surgery is not magic. We can improve, restore, and enhance, but there is generally little we can do to completely erase all signs of trauma or the passage of time.

Plastic surgery is about aesthetic judgment, precision, and compassion. It is one of the few specialties that combines medicine and art. And often, it’s that art which allows someone to regain hand function, walk again after burn injuries, or rebuild their face after trauma.

It’s time to change the narrative. Plastic surgery should not be seen as ‘just’ about looking better—but about living better. The work we do—for burn survivors, cancer patients, or children born with deformities—is profoundly reconstructive and often life-changing. The more we raise awareness around this, the more individuals will approach plastic surgery as a path to timely, safe, and informed care—not out of vanity, but out of necessity and hope.

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

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