What is plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that can perform aesthetic and reparative procedures. The objective may involve improving shape, proportion, function or reconstruction of areas of the body, always according to medical assessment and individual indication.
The decision for a procedure must consider health, safety, technical limits, healing, recovery and realistic expectations. The consultation is the time to evaluate possibilities and understand whether surgery is a suitable alternative for each case.
Aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery: what’s the difference?
| Aspect | Aesthetic plastic surgery | Reconstructive plastic surgery | How the indication is defined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective | Evaluate changes in shape, proportion or contour. | Evaluate correction, reconstruction or functional improvement. | With consultation, history, physical examination, risks and expectations. |
| Examples of situations | Complaints related to breasts, abdomen, face or body contour. | Changes after treatments, scars, asymmetries or tissue loss. | Each situation needs to be confirmed by medical evaluation. |
| Assessment required | Objectives, general health, habits, exams and technical limitations. | Function, symptoms, impact, history and need for integrated care. | The indication is not automatic. |
| Limitations | It does not guarantee perfection, absolute symmetry or results equal to references. | It may have technical limits, scars and the need for steps or follow-up. | Risks, benefits and alternatives must be discussed. |
| Relationship with other specialties | It may involve nutrition, endocrinology, gynecology or psychology when indicated. | It may relate to mastology, oncology, physiotherapy or other areas. | Not every patient needs multidisciplinary care. |
| Next steps | Consultation to evaluate possibilities, preparation and recovery. | Consultation to review history, reports and remedial objectives. | Individualized planning when indicated. |
A classificação entre estética e reparadora não elimina a necessidade de avaliação médica, planejamento cirúrgico, discussão de riscos e acompanhamento pós-operatório. In some cases, functional, restorative and aesthetic aspects may overlap.
When to seek a plastic surgery evaluation?
- Questions about the possibility of cosmetic surgery;
- Desire to evaluate changes in the breasts, abdomen, face or body contour;
- Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding or major weight changes;
- Need for reconstruction or restorative correction;
- Scars, asymmetries or changes that impact comfort, function or self-esteem;
- Assessment after cancer treatment, when applicable;
- Need for a second opinion;
- Questions about risks, preparation and recovery;
- Expectations about the results and limits of the procedure.
The presence of one of these situations does not mean that surgery will be indicated. The decision depends on individual medical evaluation.
What procedures can be discussed in the consultation?
The consultation can address aesthetic or reparative possibilities depending on the history, physical examination, objectives and services confirmed by the team. The presence of a theme below does not mean automatic indication.
Mammoplasty
Breast procedures can have aesthetic or reparative objectives. The indication depends on the patient’s physical assessment, health history, expectations, risks and objectives.
Mastopexy
It can be discussed when there are complaints related to the positioning of the breasts. The assessment considers anatomy, healing, expectations and technical limitations.
Breast implant assessment
The inclusion of implants requires a conversation about indications, alternatives, risks, maintenance, monitoring and realistic expectations.
Breast reduction
It can be evaluated in aesthetic or functional contexts. The decision depends on symptoms, proportions, general health, exams and individual goals.
Breast reconstruction
It can be discussed when there is a restorative context. In cases related to breast cancer, care must be aligned with mastology and oncology.
Abdominoplasty
Evaluates complaints in the abdomen and body contour, considering health, pregnancy history, weight, scars, risks and recovery.
Liposuction and fat grafting
They can be discussed within individualized planning. They do not replace clinical care, healthy habits or safety assessment.
Post-bariatric surgery
It can be evaluated after major weight changes, considering clinical stability, exams, expectations, scars and follow-up.
Face, eyelids, nose and ears
Complaints on the face, eyelids, nose or ears can be discussed when they are part of the evaluated services, always without promising results.
Scar correction
Scars can be evaluated for discomfort, appearance, function and treatment possibilities, with no guarantee that they will disappear.
How does plastic surgery assessment work?
Understanding the patient’s goals
The consultation considers motivations, doubts, expectations and the impact of the complaint on routine and well-being.
Clinical assessment and health history
The professional evaluates medical history, previous surgeries, use of medications, allergies, habits, available tests and conditions that may influence risks.
Discussion of possibilities and limits
The consultation allows you to understand whether surgery is indicated, what alternatives can be considered, what the technical limits are and what risks should be discussed.
Individualized planning
When indicated, planning considers technique, preparation, location, anesthesia, recovery, monitoring and informed consent.
The evaluation does not guarantee surgical definition in the first consultation or indication of surgery for all patients.
Safety, preparation and choice of surgical site
Safety in plastic surgery involves adequate assessment, qualified surgeon, prepared team, appropriate location, anesthesia, exams, pre-operative planning and post-operative follow-up. These factors need to be discussed before making a decision.
Preoperative assessment
Preparation may involve review of exams, clinical evaluation, anesthetic evaluation, guidance on medications, habits, fasting and care before the procedure, as appropriate.
Location
Surgical procedures must be planned in an environment appropriate to the type of surgery, the complexity of the case, the patient’s condition and applicable safety standards.
Anesthesia and team
The choice of anesthesia and team composition depend on the procedure, health history and surgical planning.
How does recovery work?
Recovery varies depending on the procedure, the technique used, the patient’s history, the extent of the surgery and individual evolution. Postoperative monitoring guides care, return to activities, signs of attention and the need for reevaluation.
Individualized guidance
Care and restrictions vary depending on planning and evolution.
Post-operative follow-up
Return consultations help monitor symptoms, healing and adaptation to the routine.
Scar care
Scars are part of surgical procedures and require specific guidance.
Gradual return to activities
The return is defined by the team, with no single deadline applicable to all patients.
Follow-up according to progress
Reassessments can be adjusted depending on the procedure and recovery.
Referrals
Other specialties may be involved when clinically indicated.
Realistic expectations are part of safety
Plastic surgery can modify bodily characteristics, but it does not guarantee perfection, absolute symmetry or universal satisfaction. The consultation must align objectives, technical limits, risks, recovery, healing and real possibilities for each patient.
Integrated care before and after surgery
In some cases, plastic surgery can be related to other areas of women’s health. When indicated, the Clinica Medicina da Mulher can integrate care with mastology, gynecology, nutrition, endocrinology, oncology, physiotherapy, psychology and other specialties.
Mastology and oncology
When there is a breast or oncological history, the evaluation can be articulated with mastology and oncology.
Gynecology and nutrition
Planning can dialogue with gynecology and obstetrics and nutrition, as appropriate.
Endocrinology and clinical staff
Hormonal, metabolic or weight conditions may require integration with endocrinology and with the clinical staff.
Dr. Rodrigo Garcia Arruda
CRM 97798
Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. Full Member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, according to institutional profile.
Dr. Rodrigo Garcia Arruda works in the evaluation of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, with individualized planning according to the objectives, clinical history, safety and expectations of each patient.
In-person service and teleconsultation
Clínica Medicina da Mulher carries out face-to-face assessments in São Paulo and can advise on teleconsultation for patients from other cities, states and countries, according to clinical need and the rules applicable to medical care.
Initiate contact with the team
Use this block to organize the reason for contact before speaking to customer service. It is not necessary to send body photos, intimate images, complete reports or detailed history before receiving guidance from the team.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that evaluates aesthetic and reparative procedures. It may involve changes in shape, proportion, function or reconstruction, always with individual indication. The consultation considers health, history, exams, expectations, risks and alternatives before making any decision.
Aesthetic surgery usually evaluates complaints about shape, proportion or contour. Repair may be related to function, reconstruction, scars, asymmetries or changes after treatments. This difference does not eliminate the need for medical evaluation, planning, risk discussion and monitoring.
Seek evaluation when there are doubts about aesthetic or repair procedures, changes in the breasts, abdomen, face, scars, asymmetries, body changes after pregnancy or weight loss, or the need for a second opinion. The consultation does not mean that surgery will be indicated.
No. The assessment serves precisely to understand whether there is an indication, which alternatives can be considered, which risks exist and which expectations are realistic. In some cases, it may be recommended to postpone, supplement tests, treat clinical conditions or not perform surgery.
Topics such as surgeries on the breasts, abdomen, body contour, face, eyelids, nose, ears, scars and repair situations can be discussed, when compatible with the team’s services. The discussion does not confirm the indication. Each procedure has its own risks, limitations, preparation and recovery.
The indication depends on consultation, physical examination, health history, medications in use, allergies, previous surgeries, exams, habits, goals and expectations. The surgeon also evaluates risks, alternatives and necessary preparation. There is no single rule applicable to all patients.
Yes. Every surgical procedure involves risks, which vary depending on technique, extent, anesthesia, health conditions and individual recovery. The consultation should address expected benefits, limits, possible complications, before and after care, alternatives and signs of post-operative attention.
Preparation may include review of exams, clinical evaluation, anesthetic evaluation, guidance on medications, habits, fasting, location of the procedure, companion and recovery care. Instructions must be individualized and provided by the team responsible for the case.
Recovery time varies depending on the procedure, technique, extent of surgery, health conditions and individual evolution. There is no single deadline for returning to work, physical activities or routine. The team defines guidelines and reviews according to each case.
Teleconsultation can help organize history, doubts, previous exams and next steps, especially for patients from other cities, states or countries. However, defining surgical indication generally requires in-person consultation, physical examination and detailed review.
Reference photos can help communicate preferences, but they do not define or guarantee results. Anatomy, healing, health history, technique, limitations and individual evolution influence planning. They should be used as support for conversation, not as a promise.
It is not possible to guarantee the same result as someone else’s. Each patient has anatomy, proportions, skin quality, healing, history, limitations and individual response. Consultation should align possible objectives and realistic expectations before making any decision.
The second opinion can review the indication received, exams, history, risks, alternatives, location, preparation and expectations. Bringing available documents helps with the consultation. The new assessment does not guarantee a different recommendation, but may support a more informed decision.
Scheduling can be initiated via the clinic’s WhatsApp. Inform if you would like an aesthetic, restorative assessment, second opinion or teleconsultation guidance. Do not send body photos, intimate images, complete reports or sensitive data before receiving guidance from the team.