Cosmetic Surgeon: Glossary of Terms

Abdominoplasty: also known as a tummy tuck - a procedure to minimize the abdomin. Excess fat is removed from the middle and lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdomen are tightened.

Blepharoplasty: also called eyelid lift - a procedure where the excess fat, muscle, and skin from the eyelids is removed.

Breast Augmentation: a procedure to enlarge the breast.

Cleft Lip: an abnormality in the lip where it does not form completely.

Cleft Palate: an abnormality in the roof of the mouth where it does not close completely.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: a type of plastic surgery to repair or change the shape of parts of the body, primarily to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem.

Facial Implant: plastic surgery to change the shape of the check or jaw.

Forehead Lift: surgery to tighten the muscles in the forehead and remove the excess fat and skin in the area.

Liposuction: a procedure to remove excess fat through a suctioning process.

Mastectomy: surgery to remove portions of or all of one or both breast.

Plastic Surgery: a procedure to reconstruct the face or part of the body that was affected from a disease or defect.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery: a procedure to reconstruct the face or part of the body to improve function that occured from trauma, infection, or developmental abnormalities.

Rhinoplasty: the procedure to resize or reshape the nose.

Rhytidectomy: also called face lift - a procedure to remove excess fat and tighten muscles in the face or neck.