Although plastic surgery may seem as if it has been around forever, its long history began only a little under 100 years ago. Today, plastic surgery procedures are used to enhance appearances, achieve long-desired looks and gain a new sense of confidence.
When plastic surgery first emerged, pioneered by Harold Gillies, it was used to help soldiers who suffered brutal, unimaginable pain and suffering during wartime.
Beginning in 1915, Gillies used his abilities to create the tube pedicle, a procedure used to help fix some of the wounds many soldiers suffered to their face, especially the nose, ears and mouth. These injuries were often too much for a skin graft to fix, and instead Gillies performed surgeries using the tube method, cutting a strip of flesh and “swinging” it into another facial area. Although it created a somewhat bizarre appearance, many soldiers appreciated it more than their previous battle scars.
According to The Telegraph, it is believed Gillies treated over 2,000 soldiers using this method.
Dr. John Davis established the first formal training program and fellowship in plastic surgery in the U.S. at John Hopkins University in 1924, becoming the first professor of plastic surgery in the process.
The future of plastic surgery continued on with Gillies pupils, who focused not only on fixing the issues patients faced, but doing so in a way that was pleasing to the eye.
During WWII Archibald McIndoe focused on both the physical and psychological pains of the soldiers, understanding that a quick fix could leave a lasting impression as impactful as one that had more time and dedication behind it. His “Guinea Pig Club” made up of RAF airmen burned beyond recognition during their time served became a well known advancement for men in plastic surgery.
The next big plastic surgery venture is often noted as Texas native Timmie Jean Lindsey’s silicone breast implant procedure performed in 1962.
Twenty years later, liposuction was introduced in the U.S. changing the lives of thousands of patients each year.
As of 2015, according to The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Global Statistics on Cosmetic Procedures, more than 20 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed worldwide. New techniques and surgery fads continue to emerge, highlighting plastic surgery’s place in history while also maintaining its surge into the future.
The U.S., according to this data, was the country with the most surgeries performed, with over 4 million under its belt in a variety of categories.
Although plastic surgery is popular, and shows no sign of slowing down, it is not a decision that should be taken lightly or decided upon on a whim. Ensure your ready for a change before it’s made, by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Lett of TheLettCenter.com, to go over the procedure, potential outcomes and risks. Learn more during your first consultation by scheduling one today.