What is plastic surgery?
In the timeless pursuit of self-improvement, the art of sculpting the human form has a rich history that goes far beyond today’s associations of plastic surgery with youth and beauty. The term, which goes back to the Greek word “plastikos”, meaning “to shape” or “to bring into form”, reflects a history associated with medical necessity. Plastic surgery, which is often associated with modern procedures such as breast augmentation , actually has a long history. Its origins lie in the desire to correct physical deformities and improve the quality of life. Over the centuries, this practice evolved into what is now known as cosmetic surgery. Today, plastic surgery has reached an advanced level and uses minimally invasive techniques. The constant innovation in this field aims to improve results, offer safer procedures, shorten recovery times and increase patient satisfaction. The journey from rudimentary instruments to state-of-the-art technologies is a sign of the remarkable progress of plastic surgery.
Ancient times
1600 BC
The roots of plastic surgery go back to ancient Egypt, where the pursuit of beauty and healing took a fascinating turn. The oldest known procedures can be found in the “Edwin Smith Papyrus”, an early Egyptian medical text that resembles a trauma surgery manual. This historical treasure unlocks the secrets of ancient practices and reveals not only the treatment of injuries and fractures, but also a primitive but innovative approach to restoring the shape of the nose after an injury: “the gentle manipulation of the nose into the desired position and securing it with wooden splints, lint, swabs and linen plugs.”
1213 BC
In ancient Egypt, cosmetic surgery was not only important for the living, but also for the deceased. The mourners of King Ramses II, who was known for his prominent nose, took special measures. To ensure that he would be recognized as king in the afterlife, they surgically inserted bones and seeds into his nose.
600 BC
When exploring the ancient history of India, the development of plastic surgery takes a fascinating leap towards advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. In the 6th century BC, Indian physicians, particularly Sushruta, who is often hailed as the father of plastic surgery, laid the foundation for what we know today as reconstructive surgery. He advanced the specialty with a sophisticated method of nasal reconstruction in which new noses were created by using skin from other areas of the patient’s face, either the forehead or cheek. The Sushruta Samhita is his famous surgical manual in which he explains the basic principles of plastic surgery, including a primitive form of cosmetic rhinoplasty.
100 BC to 5th century AD
Traveling through ancient Rome, we discover more early chapters of plastic surgery documented by the encyclopedist Aulus Cornelius Celsus. In these historical pages, Celsus reports on a pioneering aesthetic beautification procedure – the surgical removal of excess skin around patients’ eyes (what we would today call blepharoplasty or eyelid lifting). The Romans, keen to improve their image, also used simpler plastic surgery techniques, such as repairing damaged ears. Celcus’ book has guided plastic surgeons for over 1700 years.
15th century
The teachings of the Sushruta Samhita found their way to Europe after being translated into Arabic. In Italy, the surgeons Gustavo Branca and his son Antonio advanced the development of techniques, particularly in rhinoplasty. Innovatively, they decided to take skin from the forearm instead of the forehead and cheeks to minimize scarring. However, this pioneering approach came with a unique condition: The forearm had to be attached to the nose for ten days!
18th century
The term “plastic” became associated with cosmetic surgery when the German surgeon Karl Ferdinand von Graefe introduced it in his important work Rhinoplastik, a modification of the Italian method. The surgeons Felix Jean Casimir Guyon from Paris and Jacques Reverdin from Geneva rediscovered the skin grafting technique and developed it further in 1869. A milestone in the development of plastic surgery was the first documented breast augmentation in 1895, when surgeons corrected asymmetries by transplanting tissue from the back to the breast.
20th century
Plastic surgery experienced a decline in the seventeenth century. The real turning point came in the 20th century, particularly during the First World War, when the need for reconstructive plastic surgery became apparent for many severely injured soldiers. The bullets and explosive grenades caused devastating head and facial injuries that required innovative medical approaches. A paradigm shift occurred during this time as doctors, driven by the sheer volume of patients and advances in blood transfusion and infection control, tested groundbreaking techniques. Major Harold Gillies, who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, set up a specialist facial repair facility at Queen Mary’s Hospital in London where all patients were brought together. Gillies, who has been called the “father of modern plastic surgery”, carried out pioneering procedures that had a lasting impact on the development of plastic surgery. The Second World War further advanced the development of plastic surgery by introducing new techniques such as limb reconstruction, extensive skin grafts for burn victims, microsurgery and an increased understanding of physiology and antibodies.
The modern time
The 1960s and 1970s were a time of upheaval for plastic surgery, during which it established itself as an integral part of medical science. Silicone breast implants were a turning point. Originally developed to treat skin imperfections, they were soon used for cosmetic breast augmentation . As silicone technology progressed, the material became versatile and offered a variety of options for contouring and augmenting the body and face. In the 1990s, there was a decisive change in public perception that broke the taboo surrounding plastic surgery for aesthetic reasons. Economic prosperity made it accessible to the masses, which led to an increase in demand for procedures. Cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and facial reshaping became widespread. The 1980s and 1990s brought not only improved public awareness but also an influx of quality information about the procedures. Non-surgical alternatives such as injectablefillers and laser treatments gained popularity and offered cosmetic improvements without surgery. Evolving with new technologies, plastic surgery has become widely accepted and is changing lives by providing affordable and innovative solutions for the look you want.
Plastic surgery today
At the beginning of the 21st century, technological progress has led plastic surgery into a new era and brought revolutionary changes. The introduction of safe and highly effective instruments and regenerative techniques has broadened the horizon and our dreams. Advances in technology have not only improved precision, but have also significantly reduced the time required and increased the longevity of results. With the development of smaller instruments and regenerative technologies, plastic surgeons can increasingly maintain and improve the effectiveness of their operations while minimizing the size of incisions, significantly reducing the risk of scarring. Plastic surgeons remain the leading specialists in cosmetic surgery and innovations in regenerative medicine in the 21st century.
REDEKER AESTHETICS – Pioneering new frontiers in aesthetic advancements
We end our journey through the history and development of plastic surgery at REDEKER AESTHETICS – one of the leading addresses for plastic surgery and regenerative medicine in Switzerland. We perform treatments using state-of-the-art techniques and technologies and maintain our commitment to excellence. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, I actively participate in conferences and clinical trials to integrate scientific advances into my practice. I offer patients the assurance that treatments are safe, effective and state of the art, leading to excellent and natural-looking results. I create customized treatment plans that are tailored to the uniqueness and specific individual needs. At REDEKER AESTHETICS, the satisfaction rate is remarkably high, whether it’s regenerative medicine or cosmetic surgery. Under our expert guidance, the journey to your goal of improved body image becomes something truly special.
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