Glandular Tissue And Skin From The Breasts example essay topic

Parker 1 Our Plastic Prisons In the creation of our beings, we are blessed, and sometimes cursed with features we, as freethinkers, might not otherwise have chosen for ourselves. Certain circumstances however, may arise on the journey known as life, forcing us to reconstruct these features; in an effort to construct normal, healthy, lives. Often, we are compelled to reconstruct these features in an effort to enhance an otherwise normal, healthy life. For the individual unaware of the pros and cons, in to regards to the acquisition of cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery; I produce this composition in an attempt to inform you, the reader; as well as to expand upon my limited knowledge of this field. In researching the world of "Plastic Surgery", we approach a dividing factor. There are two categories into which most operations are labeled.

Cosmetic surgeries occur when an individual takes notice of a particular feature on his / her body and makes the decision to alter the imperfection. In humans, it is impossible to find a "flawless" being. Our bodies, in their own right, are not created equal. A certain degree of asymmetry exists within each of us.

Symmetry is not a dominant trait in the human race. Take a picture of your face, photographing each side individually. Place each photo side by side. Notice the difference? Each feature, your eyes, your nose, and even your lips take on their own sense of symmetry, or asymmetry if you will. Reconstructive surgery takes place when an individual is blessed with features that hinder his / her ability to lead a normal, healthy, life.

Parker 2 Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently requested cosmetic surgeries. Implants are inserted behind the breast tissue of each breast or behind the "pectoralis" a major muscle, helping to increase the size of the breast. Silicone implants are made of thick material and filled with either saline or an antibiotic solution during the operation. Women are classically partial to this type of operation.

However, in recent years, males have exhibited an interest in cosmetic operations pertaining to the enhancement of the male physique, thus leading to the procurement of "pectoral implants". Each sex concludes this course of action for similar reasons. Increased sex appeal, heightened sexual pleasure, as well as a new found sense of confidence, influence an individuals reservations regarding this operation. (Plasticsurgery. org) Augmentation provides a considerable alternative to patients in an attempt to reconstruct a part of their person lost by circumstance. Evolved medical research along with recent technological advances have made it possible for surgeons to create a breast that compares in form and appearance to matching a natural breast. Often, breast reconstruction is possible immediately following breast removal, so the patient wakes up with a breast mound already in place allowing them to be spared the feeling and / or sight of having no breast at all.

When implants are used, there is a remote possibility that an infection will develop, In some instances, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. After extensive tests, a new implant (s) can later be inserted. (Plasticsurgery. org) Parker 3 The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This causes the breast to feel hard. There are many operations used to treat capsular contracture, and can include either removal or 'scoring' of the scar tissue, or even removal or replacement of the implant.

Breast reconstruction has no known determining factor in the reoccurrence of disease in the breast, and does not generally interfere with chemotherapy or radiation treatment, should cancer recur. Periodic mammograms on both the reconstructed and the remaining normal breast are recommended by most physicians. In an effort to preserve an individual's sense of dignity and restore confidence, every attempt is made to preserve his / her physical likeness. For those patients not suffering from the absence of a breast but rather being blessed with breasts not proportionate to his / her height / weight measurements, another type of operation is performed. Breast reduction, technically known as reduction, is a form of reconstructive surgery classically performed on females.

New found information has prompted an increase in the number of males requesting this type of operation each year. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola. The goal is to provide women with smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body. (Yourmakeovers. com) Generally, breast reduction isn't performed until a woman's breasts are fully developed; however, it can be performed earlier if her breasts are causing serious physical discomfort. It is imperative that candidates have a lucid comprehension of the procedure he / she is requesting.

Breast reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breast-feed. In most cases, the Parker 4 nipples remain attached to their blood vessels and nerves. However, if the breasts are very large or pendulous, the nipples and areolas may be completely removed and grafted to a higher position on the chest area (This will result in a loss of sensation in the nipple and areolar tissue.) Occasionally, when only fat needs to be removed, liposuction alone can be used to reduce breast size, reducing scars and recovery time. This procedure does leave noticeable, permanent scars, as well as the potential to experience a permanent loss of feeling in one's nipples or breasts. Women are encouraged to explore this option when considering the plethora of medical problems caused by the excessive weight, ranging from back and neck pain and skin irritation to skeletal deformities and breathing problems. In some cases, bra straps may even leave indentations in their shoulders.

(Yourmakeovers. com) Although there is no known cause for Gynecomastia, it is a condition that affects approximately 40 to 60 percent of males. Gynecomastia is the term used to describe the "women-like breasts" men are sometimes subject to grow. Certain drugs have been linked to male breast over-development, but no official evidence provides an explanation for the occurrence. Male breast reduction is often the safest alternative. In this procedure, skilled doctors remove the fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases remove excess skin, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and toned. If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel.

The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. (Yourmakeovers. com) Parker 5 Surgery is often discouraged for obese men, and overweight men who have not attempted daily exercise and dieting. Individuals who drink alcohol beverages or smoke marijuana are not considered good candidates for surgery. These drugs, along with steroids, may cause gynecomastia. Patients are first directed to stop the use of these drugs to see if breast fullness diminishes before considering surgery.

Complications arising from this procedure are similar to most operations in this range of reconstructive surgeries. They include infection, skin injury, excessive bleeding, an adverse reaction to anesthesia, and excessive fluid loss or accumulation. Also, this procedure sometimes results in a bit of scarring, permanent pigment changes in the breast area, or slightly mismatched breasts or nipples. If asymmetry is significant, a second procedure may be performed to remove additional tissue. The temporary effects of male breast reduction include loss of breast sensation or numbness. Men with a realistic approach to this operation tend to experience favorable results at the conclusion of their recovery period.

So you " re still toying around with those pictures? Not exactly pleased with the asymmetry surrounding the nasal arena? Luckily, you have the number one facial aesthetic modification at your disposal. Rhinoplasty, often dubbed the "nose-job" is a cosmetic procedure that has evolved over the course of centuries. A nose job is a cosmetic procedure often performed to alter the shape or function of the nose. The term rhinoplasty is derived from Rhino (Latin for nose) and pasty (Greek for molding or forming).

A "nose job" requires a series of surgical maneuvers executed by a plastic surgeon for either an aesthetic or functional result, or a combination. A "nose job" patient may seek to alter the appearance of the nose. Alternatively, a nose job patient may complain of nasal obstruction and thus seeks to improve nasal function. (Plasticsurgery. org) Parker 6 Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the world. The procedure itself has undergone several technological advancements in recent years, to include and ultrasonic. Ultrasonic is a technique in which a metal probe is inserted through an incision in the skin into the depths of the fatty compartments of the body.

The probe is moved back and forth in different directions. After which, the fat is removed using the routine liposuction technique. Unfortunately for the patient, the use of the ultrasound machine increases the length of the incision because of the size of the probe that is inserted. Commonplace for the individual who seeks a "quick fix" to a failing diet, or worse yet, the patient in search of continued maintenance from a previous session; liposuction serves as a remarkable cosmetic enhancement that affects millions of lives each year. (Yourmakeovers. com) It is often argued that patients requesting the operation "lips", are seeking a more slothful approach to weight loss, rather than toil through normal diet and exercise. As a matter of personal opinion that, I agree with this theory.

However, Abdominoplasty, known simply to all as the "tummy tuck", provides another cosmetic approach to weight loss. "Tummy tuck" surgery is usually sought to treat flabby, stretched-out abdominal muscles and tone skin to improve appearance. Excessive fatty tissue and loose skin are removed from the middle and lower sections of the abdomen and the abdominal muscles may be tightened. This procedure differs from that of liposuction. (Yourmakeovers. com) Parker 7 In "tummy tuck" surgeries, the surgeon makes a long incision from one side of the hipbone to the other. Excess fat and skin are surgically removed from the middle and lower abdomen, and the muscles of the abdomen wall are tightened.

A less complex procedure is called a 'mini tummy tuck,' or a partial. This type of "tummy tuck" procedure is ideal for individuals who have fat deposits limited to the area below the navel. Complications stemming from having this procedure are few; the most common of which occurs when the incision area does not heal properly. (Yourmakeovers. com) For the patient that desires a gradual transition into his / her healthy, new lifestyle, a more favorable alternative was created. This method allows the individual the opportunity to jump start his / her fitness regimen in addition to daily exercise and dieting. Gastrointestinal surgery also called bar iatric surgery, alters the digestive process.

This operation promotes weight loss by closing off sections of the stomach to make it smaller. Restrictive operations serve only to restrict food intake and do not interfere with the normal digestive process. During surgery, doctors create a small pouch at the top of the stomach where food enters from the esophagus. Initially, the pouch holds about 1 ounce of food and later expands to 2-3 ounces. The lower outlet of the pouch usually has a diameter of only about 3/4 inch.

This small outlet delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a feeling of fullness. Gastrointestinal surgery, in recent years, is a reconstructive operation that has gained social acceptance, and aided in the enrichment of millions of lives worldwide. Patients who have undergone this surgery tend to provide satisfactory reviews and lead normal, healthy lives. (Plasticsurgery. org) Parker 8 Scars, whether they " re caused by accidents or by surgery, are unpredictable. The manner in which a scar develops depends as much on how your body heals as it does on the original injury or on the surgeon's precision during the initial operation. Categorized within the classification of reconstructive surgery, Scar Revision enables a solution to the aesthetic damages caused by keloid scars, hypertrophic scars, contractures, in addition to other various types of scars.

Keloid are thick, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. They often appear red or darker in color than the surrounding skin. Keloid scarring occurs when the body continues to produce collagen after a wound has healed. Often they are treated by injecting a steroid medication directly into the scar tissue to reduce the symptoms of redness, itching, and burning. Sometimes, this procedure will help to shrink the scar.

If steroid treatment proves futile, the scar tissue is cut out and the wound closed with one to two layers of stitches. A skin graft is occasionally used, although the site from which the graft was taken may then develop a keloid. (Plasticsurgery. org) Hypertrophic scars are often confused with keloid's, since both are usually thick, red, and raised. Hypertrophic scars, however, remain within the boundaries of the original incision or wound.

They often improve on their own. It may take years, or patients may opt the use of steroid applications or injections. If the conservative approach doesn't appear to be effective, hypertrophic scars can often be improved surgically. The plastic surgeon will remove excess scar tissue, and works to reposition the incision so that it heals in a less visible pattern. Scarring, of any degree, creates a lack of confidence and pride in the physical attraction of one's person. Using "plastic surgery" as a tool to help aid in diminishment in the appearance of scars works to restore a self-confidence that may have been lost during the initial scarring process.

(Plastic. org) Parker 9 Burns along with other injuries that result in the loss of a large area of skin tend to create scars that pull the edges of the skin together, a process called contraction. This results in a contracture that may affect the ability of the adjacent muscles and tendons, restricting normal movement. In healing a contracture, the process usually involves cutting out the scar and replacing it with a skin graft or a flap. A procedure known as Z-pasty is sometimes used. Z-pasty is a surgical technique used to reposition a scar so that it conforms to the natural lines and creases of the skin, where it will become less noticeable. Not all scars accept the Z-pasty method.

In this procedure, the old scar is removed and new incisions are made on each side, creating small flaps of skin. These flaps are then rearranged to cover the wound at a different angle, giving the scar a 'Z'pattern. The wound is then closed with fine stitches. While Z-pasty tends to aid in making some scars less obvious, the scars do not diminish completely. A portion of the scar will still remain outside the lines of relaxation. New therapies, such as tissue expansion, are becoming increasingly common.

If a patient's symptom of contracture has existed for some time, he / she may need physical therapy after surgery to restore full function. (Yourmakeovers. com) Skin grafting is a procedure more serious in nature, for it involves the transfer of skin from a healthy, extended area of the body to cover the injured area. The graft is said to 'take' when new blood vessels and scar tissue form in the injured area. Most grafting procedures from patient's original skin plots are successful, although sometimes the graft doesn't take. In addition, all grafts leave some scarring at the donor and recipient sites. (Yourmakeovers. com) Parker 10 Flap surgery is a complex reconstructive procedure in which skin, along with the underlying fat, blood vessels, and sometimes the muscle, is moved from a healthy section of the body to the injured site.

In some flaps, the blood supply remains attached at one end to the donor site; in others, the blood vessels in the flap are reattached to vessels at the new site using micro vascular surgery. (1800. com) Skin grafting and flap surgery can greatly improve the function of a scarred area. The cosmetic results may be less satisfactory, since the transferred skin may not precisely match the color and texture of the surrounding skin. Although both are considered reconstructive surgeries, in general, flap surgery produces better cosmetic results than skin grafts. (1800. com) Treating patients with hand injuries, degenerative disorders, and birth defects of the hand has become a painstaking effort for plastic surgeons over the years. Creating function and handling appearance are two factors that greatly influence the success of an operation.

Specialists are secured everyday to repair injured hands, including injuries to the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and joints; fractured bones; and burns, cuts, and other injuries to the skin. It is possible for surgeons to restore a significant degree of feeling and function to injured hands. However, recovery requires extensive rehabilitative therapy and sometimes takes months. The carpal tunnel is a passageway through the wrist carrying tendons and one of the hand's major nerves. Pressure sometimes builds up within the tunnel because of disease, injury, fluid retention during pregnancy, overuse, or repetitive motions.

The pressure on the nerve causes a painful sensation in the hand, this is known as carpal tunnel syndrome. (Plasticsurgery) Parker 11 During this reconstructive operation, the surgeon makes an incision from the middle of the palm to the wrist. He or she will then cut the tissue that's pressing on the nerve, in order to release the pressure. The resulting scar will gradually fade and become barely visible. Success of the operation is determined by the length of time the patient has dealt with the condition, along with the severity of the damage. When faced with the concern of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is wise to consult a physician immediately.

(Plasticsurgery. com) Dupuytren's contracture is a disorder of the skin and underlying tissue on the palm side of the hand. Thick, scar-like tissue forms under the skin of the palm and may extend into the fingers, pulling them toward the palm and restricting motion. Surgery is the only treatment for Dupuytren's contracture. A surgeon will cut and separate the bands of thickened tissue, freeing the tendons and creating a more flexible movement for the fingers. The nerves that supply the hand and fingers are often tightly bound up in the abnormal tissue. In some cases, skin grafts are also needed to replace the tightened skin.

Patients can expect significant improvement in function, dramatically after physical therapy, and very minimal scarring. (Plasticsurgery. com) One of many congenital circumstances encountered at birth is syndactyl y, the defect from which two or more fingers are fused together. Surgical correction involves cutting the tissue that connects the fingers, then grafting skin from another part of the body. In certain instances, the procedure becomes more complicated when the bones are also fused. Surgery can usually provide a full range of motion and a fairly normal appearance, although the color of the grafted skin may be slightly different from the rest of the hand. (Plasticsurgery. com) Parker 12 Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammation of the joints, is a disabling disease that can affect the appearance and the function of the hands and other parts of the body.

It often deforms finger joints and forces the fingers into a bent position that hampers movement. Today, surgeons can repair or reconstruct almost any area of the hand or wrist. By removing tissue from inflamed joints, repositioning tendons, or implanting artificial joints, function is sometimes regained; and there is a chance original appearance may be restored. Patients may not regain full use of their hands.

However, he / she can generally expect a significant improvement in function and appearance. In choosing your procedure, it helps to keep in mind that surgical repair doesn't eliminate the underlying disease. Rheumatoid arthritis can continue to cause damage to your hand, sometimes requiring further surgery. It is in one's best interest to schedule continuing care. The art of holding onto one's youth, is often helped along by the use of a clearer, more effective cosmetic procedure called Laser Resurfacing, sometimes called 'laser peel". For this operation, a carbon dioxide laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer.

Commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, this procedure aids in the restoration of an individuals elastic features, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions. (1800. com) Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy which vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration.

Although laser resurfacing is still a very new procedure, it has proven itself in some cases, to produce less Parker 13 bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort than that of similar procedures. When superficial or medium resurfacing is desired, the laser can be restricted to the epidermis and papillary dermis areas. For a more invasive resurfacing, the upper levels of the "reticules" dermis can also be removed. Varied penetration allows for spot treatment as well as the ability to target wrinkles individually. (1800. com) Common risks associated with laser resurfacing include {burns or other injuries from the heat of the laser energy, and excessive scarring. Also, laser resurfacing has the potential to freely activate herpes virus infections and, rarely, other types of infections.

Should evidence of abnormal pigmentation or any of the aforementioned risks arise, additional procedures will be suggested and often required in the pursuit of a normal, healthy, life for the patient. (1800. com) While exploring the differences that lie within the range of procedures offered in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures; I have ascertained, that while some of us are pleased with the features we are blessed with, upon entrance into the world. I am not content with the results, time, and gravity, will eventually afford me. Natural occurrences are, at times, the fault of our deformities; proving detrimental to ones emotional, and physical, well being.

In those moments, I approve the operations in search of self-preservation, along with the desire and / or immediate need to correct the aesthetic defaults nature has blessed us with.

Bibliography

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