12 Plastic Surgery Terms You Might Hear During a Consultation

So, you’re gathering information to decide if plastic surgery might be right for you. Perhaps you’ve been researching online, or perhaps you’ve chatted with a friend who has already had a procedure – or maybe you made your first step only a moment ago by searching Google. Wherever you are on your journey, welcome!

We know it can be overwhelming to hear a lot of terms that sound very technical or surgical when researching plastic surgery. If you’re not sure what all the words mean, or you’re not sure where to begin learning about your options, we’re here to help!

Talk Surgery to Me

Let’s break down some of the most common terms you might hear during a plastic surgery consultation or as you’re researching: 

Abdominoplasty: A procedure to tighten the tummy by removing extra skin around your abdomen (also called “tummy tuck”).

Augmentation: Enlargement (as in “breast augmentation”).

Board-certified: When a surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, that means they have studied and passed rigorous tests to demonstrate extensive knowledge of their field and are highly-qualified to practice their specialty.

Circumferential: The outside edge of a curved part of your body (as in “I want a circumferential thigh lift to get rid of the sagging skin around my upper leg”).

Collagen: A protein your body produces less of as you get older, but which can be added back in with injectable fillers to give areas like your cheeks a youthful, full look again.

Craniomaxillofacial: Refers to your face, head, mouth, jaws, and skull areas.

Epidermis: The top layer of skin on your body.

Grafting: Removing skin or other tissue from one part of your body to place it somewhere else on your body (see fat grafting). 

Gynecomastia: Extra chest tissue in men, causing the appearance of male breasts.

Liposuction: A procedure that suctions fat from under your skin (also sometimes called “lipoplasty”).

Mastopexy: A procedure to reshape and raise your breasts, which can also be called a breast lift and is sometimes combined with breast augmentation.

Rhinoplasty: A procedure to reshape or resize your nose (aka a “nose job”). 

Knowing these terms may help you feel more confident and informed as you ponder which plastic surgery procedure(s) may be right for you. If you encounter more surgical terms you’re not sure about, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons glossary may be a big help. 

Find the Procedure That’s Best for You

At The Lucas Center, we’re proud to offer many surgical and non-surgical services to help you meet your goals and achieve real, lasting confidence. Yes, we like to “geek out” about the science and art of plastic surgery because we’re passionate about what we do. But we’re also ready to answer all your questions and discuss your options in an untechnical way. 

Your comfort and confidence are paramount, which is why your individualized consultation with Dr. Lucas is all about getting to know your needs, goals, and health history, then making a customized plan to get the best results for you. 

When you’re ready, give us a call at (865) 218-6210 or schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Lucas.