Skip to content

Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. Glossary

Please click a letter above.

 

 

 

Abnormalities of the Jaw

Anomaly in the formation of the upper and/or lower jaw.

Acellular Dermal Matrix

Irradiated skin cells used as soft tissue replacement in plastic and reconstructive surgery when there is not an adequate amount of tissue to allow for an implant.

Acne scars

Textural irregularities in the skin caused by the acne healing process.

Analogous Fat Transfer

See “fat transfer

Anesthesia

Drug induced general or local loss of bodily sensation and pain. It is used to permit surgery and limit pain.

Areola

The circle of darker colored skin that surrounds the nipple.

Areolar Reduction

Cosmetic breast surgery that reduces and reshapes overly large or stretched out nipples.

Arm Lift

Also known as brachioplasty, cosmetic procedure which reshapes the upper arms by removing excess fat or skin.

Blepharoplasty

Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is used to remove folds, sagging skin, or wrinkles around the eyes. Eyelid surgery can also be performed to repair any damage or injury to the eyelid.

Body Contouring

Reshaping of some portion of the body using implants, lifts, fat transfers, and/or the removal of excess skin and fat.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

A psychological disorder (sometimes indicated as a biological disorder) in which a person is overly concerned or even obsessed with defects in their appearance even though the perceived issues are usually imagined or over-exaggerated. Because it’s important to have a healthy perspective on physical appearance before pursuing plastic surgery, people suffering with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are typically not good candidates for plastic surgery.

Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy)

A post weight loss surgical procedures involving the removal, lifting and reshaping of excess skin. A typical body lift surgery reduces skin on the arms, thighs, tummy and back.

Boob Job

A colloquial term that usually refers to breast augmentation surgery, but which can also be used to refer to any form of cosmetic breast enhancement, including a breast lift or breast reduction procedure.

BOTOX (Botox®)

A nonsurgical, cosmetic injectable used to temporarily relax facial wrinkles between and around the eyes.

Bra Day

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day is an initiative designed to promote education, awareness, and access for breast cancer patients who may consider breast reconstruction surgery. BRA day was first launched in 2011 and will now annually occur on the third Wednesday of October.

Brachioplasty

More commonly known as an arm lift, brachioplasty is a surgical procedure used to remove excess fat and loose skin of the upper arm.

Brazilian Butt Lift

cosmetic surgery procedure which utilizes fat transfer to augment the buttocks. Areas of fat deposits are removed using liposuction, purified, and then re-injected into the buttocks.

Breast Asymmetry

A naturally occurring or complication of breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery in which the breasts are not identical in shape and/or size. Breast asymmetry is remedied with the insertion of an implant or the excision of excess tissue during breast revision surgery.

Breast Augmentation (Breast Enhancement)

A surgical procedure involving the insertion of a saline or silicone breast implant to enhance the shape and size of the breast.

Breast Cancer Surgery

Surgical excision of cancerous tumor(s) and any affected surrounding tissue while trying to conserve as much of the breast as possible. Breast cancer surgery procedures include lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, and total mastectomy.

Breast Implant

Silicone shell filled with saline liquid or silicone gel used to enhance the size and shape of the breast during a breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery.

Breast Implant Exchange

The surgical removal of saline breast implants to be replaced by silicone or silicone breast implants to be replaced by saline during breast revision surgery to satisfy breast surgery patients’ specific cosmetic needs.

Breast Implant Leak

Rupture of the breast implant structure which can occur with both saline and silicone implants, causing the implant to deflate.

Breast lift (Mastopexy)

A cosmetic surgical procedure designed to lift, reposition, and reshape the breast. Breast lifts can be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation

for patients who desire larger breasts.

Breast Reconstruction

Surgery performed to restore the breast to a more natural appearance following mastectomy, lumpectomy, or radiation therapy to treat breast cancer.

Breast Reduction

(see mammaplasty also) is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of breast(s) by removing fat, skin, existing breast implants, and/or excess glandular tissue to relieve physical discomfort and/or address aesthetic issues.

Breast Revision Surgery

A secondary cosmetic breast surgery used change the appearance of, or correct a complication that arose after an original breast enhancement procedure.

Breast Surgery Symposium

An annual, educational conference sponsored by the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS) allowing plastic and reconstructive surgeons from around the world to discuss the latest issues and techniques in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery.

Brow Lift

Also known as a forehead lift or browplasty, brow lift surgery is a cosmetic surgical procedure that tightens and lifts the skin to reduce wrinkles, expression lines, and deep furrow in the upper brow / forehead area.

Buttock Augmentation

cosmetic surgery procedure that enhances the buttocks through the insertion of silicone elastomer implants that are placed below or above the gluteus maximus.

Buttock Enhancement

cosmetic surgery procedures used to that enhance the buttocks region, includes: buttock lift, buttock augmentation, and Brazilian butt lift.

Buttock Implants

made out of a silicone elastomer shell filled with a solid or partially solid solution for a natural, durable texture.

Buttock Lift

cosmetic surgery procedure that lifts and reshapes the buttocks through liposuction and the reduction of excess, draping skin. Weight loss surgery patients often choose this procedure in conjunction with other body lift procedures to remedy the effects of rapid weight loss.

Cannula

Long, thin tubular instrument used in liposuction to access subcutaneous fat deposits for removal.

Capsular Contracture

Breast augmentation complication in which the body forms excess scar tissue around an implant and creates an overly-firm breast texture. Breast revision surgery in which the implants are replaced is usually required to remedy capsular contracture.

Cheek Implants

Enhances the shape and volume of the cheeks as well as increases the protection of the cheekbone.

Chemical Peel

A chemical solution that removes the top layer(s) of dead, impaired skin to improve, tighten, and smooth the texture of facial skin.

Chin Reduction Surgery

Cosmetic facial procedure used to reduce the appearance of a prominent chin and to achieve symmetry of the lower face.

Cleft lip

Congenital birth defect in which an infant’s lip(s) do not fully close during development and produce a divided appearance which can inhibit development if not corrected through reconstructive surgery to close the void. Often appears in conjunction with a cleft palate.

Cleft palate

Defect that is present at birth in which there is a division, or cleft, in the palate, or roof of the mouth. Often seen in combination with cleft lip defect in which a child’s lip also has a deviated appearance that can inhibit normalized speech, eating, and developmental progression.

Collagen

A structure of proteins that provides support and contributes to the elasticity of youthful looking skin.

Congenital defects

Medical conditions, deformities or abnormalities that are present at birth.

CoolSculpting®

A fat reduction method that applies cold externally to the body, causing the fat within the treatment area to disperse and become eliminated by the body.

Cosmetic Surgery

A medical specialty that focuses on restoring form and function to the body to improve the patients’ self esteem and appearance.

Cryolipolysis

Process used by CoolSculpting® fat reduction treatment to freeze fat cells.

Deformity of the Ears

Includes absence of ear, prominent ears, or constricted ears. These abnormalities can either be congenital or isolated, and require ear surgery or otoplasty.

Dermabrasion (Microdermabrasion)

The controlled resurfacing of the skin’s top layers to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, moles, and acne scars.

Dermaplaning

Removal of the outermost layer of dead skin cells using a sterile surgical blade to leave the skin smooth and vibrant.

DIEP Flap

Breast reconstruction procedure in which fat and skin (no muscle) is harvested from a patient’s abdomen and reformed into a breast.

Double Bubble

When a visible line forms in the breast, showing the separation between the edge of the implant and the edge of the breast tissue.

eMatrix™

A heat-based skin rejuvenation system that utilizes radiofrequency energy to penetrate the deeper layers of the epidermis and encourage collagen production.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

A less invasive form of a forehead lift or brow lift used to raise the position of the eyebrows and restore a younger looking appearance.

Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

A cosmetic surgery procedure most commonly used to restore a more youthful appearance. It typically involves the removal of excess facial fat and skin, the tightening of underlying tissue and muscles, and the redraping of skin around the face and neck.

Facial Fillers

Injectable dermal filler treatment used to replump the thinned facial areas and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Facial filler products include: Restylane®, Juvederm®, Perlane®, and Radiesse™.

Facial Implants

A cosmetic procedure used to improve the aesthetic contours of the face through silicone implants. The cheeks, chin and jaw are the most common areas for facial implants.

Facial Rejuvenation

Any cosmetic procedure used to make a patient’s face look younger. Facial rejuvenation procedures include: dermal injectables, facial fillers, laser skin resurfacing, or dermabrasion.

Fat Grafting

Fat extracted from the patient (typically the tummy, thighs, or butt) via liposuction and re-implanted into the desired location.

Fat Injections

Minimally invasive cosmetic procedure used to add volume to facial features and reduce wrinkles and facial lines. Also used for minimal breast augmentation.

Fat Transfer

Otherwise known as fat injections, fat transfer uses liposuction to extract fat from one area of the body and then re-implanted into the desired location.

Forehead Furrows

Deep set creases that settle into the forehead skin as a result of aging, environmental factors, and repeated facial expressions. Forehead furrows (wrinkles) can be remedied through dermal injectables (Botox® or Dysport®) or a forehead lift.

Free TRAM

Brest reconstruction procedure which harvests a patient’s own abdominal fat, muscle, and skin to be reattached and formed into a new breast following mastectomy.

Gluteoplasty

see “buttock augmentation

Gynecomastia

An overdevelopment, or enlargement, of the mammary glands in males which results in an overly feminine breast appearance.

Hematoma

A collection or pocket of blood that forms outside of the blood vessel; resulting from damage to the artery, vein or capillary.

Hernia

The protrusion of an organ or fatty tissue into a weakened area of surrounding muscle. Hernias occur most commonly at the site of an incision where muscle has been penetrated (i.e.- TRAM and free TRAM breast reconstruction.)

Jaw Implants

A surgical procedure used to enhance the jaw line and restore balance the face.

Laser Assisted Liposuction

Body reshaping technique that uses the heat of a laser to melt unwanted fat for easier removal when used with a suctioning cannula.

Laser Hair Removal

The reduction of unwanted hair through the use of laser technology’s heat and light pulses to reduce hair follicles and roots without affecting the tissue or skin.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser treatment used to reduce the appearance of skin conditions such as: blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Laser Technology

Advancements in both surgical procedures and equipment which allow for a safer more effective surgery.

Lipectomy

Cosmetic surgery procedure to remove fatty tissue.

Liposuction (Body Contouring)

A cosmetic procedure that uses suction to withdraw excess fat from specific areas of the body. Liposuction is most commonly used on the tummy, buttocks, thigh, arm, neck, and back.

Love Handles

Fat deposits between the waist and hips, typically visible on the side and back just below the hips. A common area treated with liposuction (body contouring).

Macromastia

medical condition in which a man or woman’s breasts are excessively large for their frame and cause physical pain or mobility restrictions. Remedied with breast reduction surgery.

Mammaplasty

Term encompassing any breast-related plastic surgery procedure. Most commonly references reduction mammaplasty or breast reduction in which a male (gynecomastia) or female excess breast tissue is surgically excised to improve function and appearance.

Mammogram

Low dose X-ray imaging to detect abnormal growths within the breast tissue. Atlanta Plastic Surgery’s surgeons recommend all breast enhancement and breast reconstruction patients receive mammograms before their prospective procedure.

Man Boobs

Overly developed breast tissue in males known medically as gynecomastia. Typically, man boobs are remedied through male breast reduction procedure involving liposuction and/or surgical excision of excess tissue.

Mastectomy

The surgical removal of all or part of a breast (usually removes muscle and fat) to rid the body of breast cancer; usually followed by a form of breast reconstruction surgery.

Matrix RF™

A heat-based skin rejuvenation system that utilizes radiofrequency energy to penetrate the deeper layers of the epidermis and encourage collagen production to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and scars while evening out texture and overall complexion.

Maxillofacial Surgery

Reconstructive surgical procedures designed to remedy function and aesthetic issues of the jaw, chin, face, head, and neck. Cosmetic components of maxillofacial surgery include genioplasty (chin reduction or chin augmentation) and the insertion of facial implants.

Micron

Short for micrometer, a micron is a measurement for wavelength. It measures one-millionth of a meter, or the equivalence to the diameter of a fine human hair.

Microtia

Deformity of the ear marked by near or complete lack of a tangible outer ear structure. Remedied through the implantation of a facial prosthetic or transplanted cartilage during otoplasty.

Mini-Facelift (Partial Facelift)

A surgical lift used to rejuvenate the lower portion of the face and neck. It tightens and restores youthfulness to the face with a shorter recovery period than a traditional facelift.

Mommy Makeover Surgery

A series or combination of cosmetic procedures performed post pregnancy to restore shape and enhance the body. A mommy makeover typically includes a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift and or a breast reduction.

Nipple Reconstruction

Final portion of breast reconstruction in which tissue is surgically added to the newly created breast mound to form a nipple. After the tissue is added and has healed, tattoo pigment can be used to mimic the coloring of an areola.

Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

A surgical procedure used to repair, reshape, or alter the appearance of the external ear.

Oncoplastic Surgery

type of breast reconstruction in which cancerous tissue is removed at the same time the breasts are reshaped to remedy the cosmetic effects of tumor removal. Normally, oncoplastic surgery patients undergo a breast lift (mastopexy) to restore symmetry between the original breast and the breast treated for cancer.

Pedicled TRAM

Breast reconstruction surgery method which uses a patient’s own abdominal muscle, fat, and skin passed underneath the abdominal tissue to be reattached and formed into a new breast following mastectomy.

Plastic Surgery

A branch of surgery that consists of cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures.

Plastic Surgery Revision

A cosmetic surgery performed to enhance the results of a previous cosmetic surgery procedure. Patients seek plastic surgery revision for the refinement of rhinoplasty (nose surgery) or breast augmentation (breast enhancement) more often than revision of other cosmetic procedures.

Poland’s Syndrome

Congenital issue resulting in missing portions of the pectoralis muscle in both men and women. Also known as Poland anomaly, patients with Poland’s syndrome typically exhibit one misshapen (or absent) breast. Depending on the severity of symptoms, breast augmentation, breast reconstruction surgery, or nipple reconstruction may be needed.

Post Bariatric Surgery

Also known as post weight loss surgery, post bariatric surgery removes excess skin, and tightens the remaining skin, for an improved body contour. Post weight loss procedures include: liposuction, tummy tuck, body lift, thigh lift, arm lift, and/ or mastopexy (breast lift).

Post Weight Loss Surgery

Commonly referred to as post bariatric surgery, this combination of surgical procedures trims excess skin and fat resulting from massive weight loss.

Power Assisted Liposuction

Body contouring technique in which unwanted fat is removed through a small incision and the insertion of a powered suctioning device.

Reconstructive Surgery

A medical specialty used to surgically restore the form and function of areas of the body that were damaged or affected by trauma, congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, infection or disease.

Recovery Time

Length of time required for patients to properly heal after surgery (i.e.- sutures removed/dissolved, mobility regained, swelling eases.) All plastic or reconstructive procedures require different amounts of recovery time.

Revisionary Surgery

cosmetic surgery performed to alter the results of a previous cosmetic breast, body, or facial plastic surgery.

Rhinoplasty

cosmetic or reconstructive surgery designed to improve the appearance and function of the nose.

Rhinoplasty Surgery Recovery

Following a nose surgery procedure, a splint is generally applied to protect and maintain the shape of the nose. Dry, cold compresses are also recommended.

Saline Implant

A breast implant with a silicone shell that is filled with a sterile saline, or salt water, solution

Scarring

Over production of fibrous tissues produced by the body after trauma or cosmetic surgery. Often, scarring is very visible because the body tends to rapidly produce skin cells in an effort to quickly close the “wounds” produced by trauma; leading to variations in scar tissue pigment and/or consistency. Darker skin tones containing large amounts of melanin are particularly susceptible to keloid (raised) scarring.

Sclerotherapy

Minimally invasive procedure that injects sterile saline solution into varicose veins, causing veins to collapse and fade.

Silicone Implant

A breast implant with a silicone shell that is filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. The implant can vary in shell texture, size, and shape.

Sublative Rejuvenation™

A technology utilized in eMatrix™ skin resurfacing that utilizes radiofrequency waves to rejuvenate the skin from the inside out.

Submuscular Buttock Implant

buttock implant placed under the gluteus maximus between the layers of muscle tissue adding emphasis and curve to the upper portion of the rear.

Submuscular Buttock Implant

buttock implant placed under the gluteus maximus between the layers of muscle tissue adding emphasis and curve to the upper portion of the rear.

Symmastia

A congenital anomaly or breast augmentation complication where both breasts are connected by tissue across the sternum creating a crowded, “kissing” appearance.

Thighplasty

Also known as a thigh lift, this post weight loss surgery re-contours the thigh by removing saggy or dimpled skin typically resulting from massive weight loss or aging.

Thigh Lift

A post weight loss surgery that removes excess layers of fat and skin of the inner and outer thigh.

Tissue Expander

inflatable device inserted under the skin and expanded regularly to stretch skin for an implant or use on a different area of the body like the breast.

Tumescent Liposuction

Body sculpting technique in which tumescent fluid (customized mixture of saline, anesthetic, and epinephrine based on patient age and weight) is injected to puff-up unwanted fat cells for removal via a suctioning cannula.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A surgical procedure involving the removal of excess skin and fat and tightening of the abdominal muscles to give the stomach a more flat, firmer look.

Ulthera®

A non-surgical skin tightening system that uses ultrasound technology to heat the deeper dermal layers, firming skin and encouraging collagen production.

Ultra Sound Assisted Liposuction

Liposuction technique that uses sound waves emitted by a vibrating component on the liposuction cannula to facilitate fat removal.

Uneven Pigmentation

Patches of skin which are a different color from the surrounding skin. Often the result of the body producing either too much or too little melanin, auto immune conditions, drug reactions, genetic inheritance and/or sun damage.

Water Assisted Liposuction

Liposuction type that uses a solution of sterilized water and tumescent fluid to loosen fat for removal and limit post-procedure bleeding and swelling. The procedure equipment’s unique closed design also facilitates fat harvesting for use in cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation or buttock augmentation.