Glossary

Words come up in consultations that you don’t want to ask about. Here they are, explained the way I wish they had been for me. If one is missing, write to me.

A

Abdominoplasty

The medical term for a tummy tuck: removal of excess abdominal skin, usually with muscle repair.

Anchor incision

Incision pattern for breast lift and reduction: around the areola, vertically down and along the fold. Leaves an anchor-shaped scar.

B

BAAPS

British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Publishes audits and warnings on cosmetic surgery abroad.

BBL

Brazilian butt lift: fat from liposuction is transferred to the buttocks. The highest-risk cosmetic procedure.

BIA-ALCL

A very rare lymphoma associated with textured breast implants. Belongs in every consent conversation before augmentation.

Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery on the upper or lower lid.

C

Capsular contracture

The natural tissue capsule around a breast implant hardens and tightens. The commonest late complication after augmentation; can require replacement.

Capsulectomy

Surgical removal of the capsule around a breast implant, usually during exchange after contracture.

Compression garment

Tight-fitting clothing worn after liposuction, tummy tuck or BBL to reduce swelling and support tissue. Four to eight weeks, non-negotiable.

Consent conversation

The discussion in which the surgeon informs you about the procedure, alternatives, risks and likely outcome. Must take place before surgery with time to reflect, abroad too.

Consultant plastic surgeon

In the UK, a surgeon on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery, usually with FRCS(Plast). “Cosmetic surgeon” is not a protected title.

D

Diastasis recti

Separation of the rectus abdominal muscles, common after pregnancy. Repaired in the midline during a tummy tuck.

Dog ears

Excess skin at the ends of a scar, e.g. after a tummy tuck. Can be corrected later.

Drain

Thin tube that removes wound fluid after surgery. Usually out after one to five days. More unpleasant than painful.

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis: a blood clot in a leg vein. Risk is raised after surgery and with long periods of sitting, which is why the flight home is part of the surgical risk.

E

Ectropion

Outward turning of the lower eyelid, a possible complication of lower lid surgery.

F

Fat embolism

Fat enters the bloodstream and blocks vessels, e.g. in the lungs. The feared complication of a BBL when fat is placed in or under the muscle.

FCDO

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Its Turkey travel advice includes a section on medical tourism and records British deaths after procedures.

H

Haematoma

A collection of blood under the skin. Small ones are normal; large or growing ones need the surgeon immediately.

Histology

Microscopic analysis of removed tissue, e.g. after breast reduction. The report should be given to you in writing.

HSE

Health Service Executive, Ireland's public health service. Treats emergencies; doesn't fund corrections after elective cosmetic surgery.

I

Implant card

Document with manufacturer, model, size and serial number of your implants. The most important paper you bring home from Turkey.

ISAPS

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Membership is a good sign if it can be verified.

J

JCI

Joint Commission International. An accreditation standard for hospitals. Says something about processes, nothing about the individual surgeon.

L

Liposuction

Fat removal by suction. Contouring, not weight loss.

Lollipop incision

Breast lift incision around the areola and vertically down, without the fold incision.

M

Mastopexy

The medical term for a breast lift.

Mummy makeover

Marketing term for a tummy tuck combined with a breast procedure, often with liposuction. Not a medical term.

N

Necrosis

Death of tissue, usually from poor blood supply. Risk much higher in smokers, especially after tummy tuck and facelift.

NHS

National Health Service. Provides emergency care after surgery abroad but does not fund corrections after elective cosmetic procedures.

P

Platysmaplasty

Tightening of the neck muscle (platysma) during a neck lift.

Preservation rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty technique that keeps more of your own nasal structure.

R

Revision

Corrective surgery after an operation. For rhinoplasty, studies quote five to fifteen per cent.

Rhinoplasty

Nose reshaping. With septum correction: septorhinoplasty.

S

Seroma

A collection of wound fluid under the skin, common after tummy tuck and liposuction. Drained by needle if needed.

SMAS

Connective-tissue layer beneath the facial skin, tightened during a facelift. A skin-only lift lasts much less long.

T

Tumescent

Liposuction technique in which fluid with local anaesthetic is injected first.

V

VASER

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction. A device name, not a quality mark, the surgeon matters.

W

Wound dehiscence

The wound opens or heals slowly. The commonest complication after major surgery; risk raised by nicotine and diabetes.