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Evan Ransom M.D.

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      • Mini Facelift
      • Endoscopic Midface Lift
      • Neck Lift
      • Neck Liposuction (submental liposuction)
      • Revolumization (fat grafting)
      • Revision Facelift
      • Secondary Facelift
      • Buccal Fat Removal
    • Nose Procedures
      • Rhinoplasty
      • Rhinoplasty Open
      • Rhinoplasty Closed
      • Revision Rhinoplasty
      • Ethnic Rhinoplasty
    • Ear Procedures
      • Otoplasty (ear pinning)
      • Earlobe Repair
      • Earlobe Reduction
    • Eyelid and Brow Procedures
      • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
      • Upper Eyelid Lift
      • Lower Eyelid Lift
      • Asian Blepharoplasty
      • Endoscopic Browlift
      • Brow and Forehead Lift
      • Hairline Lowering (Forehead Reduction)
    • Lip Procedures
      • Lip Augmentation
      • Lip Reduction
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      • Revision Lip Augmentation
    • For Men
      • Facelift for Men
        • Facelift for Men FAQ
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        • Upper Eyelid Lift for Men
        • Lower Eyelid Lift for Men
      • Neck Lift for Men
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    • Revision Cosmetic Surgery
      • Revision Facelift
      • Revision Lip Augmentation
      • Revision Rhinoplasty
      • Chin Implant Revision
      • Cheek Implant Revision
    • Reconstructive
      • Cleft Lip and Palate Repair
    • Medical Necessity
      • Functional Nasal Surgery
      • Osteoma Removal
      • Rhinophyma
      • Septoplasty
    • Implants
      • Cheek Implants
      • Chin Implants
    • Hair Restoration
  • Non-Surgical
    • Neurotoxin Injectables
      • Botox Cosmetic, Dysport and Xeomin
    • Injectable Fillers
      • Bellafill
      • Belotero Injections
      • Radiesse Injections
      • Juvederm Vollure XC Injections
      • Juvederm Volbella Injections
      • Restylane® Refyne
      • Restylane® Defyne
      • Restylane Lyft Injections
      • Voluma Injections
      • Non-surgical Chin Augmentation
      • Non-Surgical Cheek Augmentation
      • Soft Tissue Fillers
      • Submental Fat Reduction (Kybella™)
    • Laser Procedures
      • Lasers
      • Laser Resurfacing
      • Non-Ablative Laser Rejuvenation
      • IPL Photofacial Rejuvenation (MaxG)
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  • About Us
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    • Meet the Team
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      • Facelift
      • Mini Facelift
      • Endoscopic Midface Lift
      • Neck Lift
      • Neck Liposuction (submental liposuction)
      • Revolumization (fat grafting)
      • Revision Facelift
      • Secondary Facelift
      • Buccal Fat Removal
    • Nose Procedures
      • Rhinoplasty
      • Rhinoplasty Open
      • Rhinoplasty Closed
      • Revision Rhinoplasty
      • Ethnic Rhinoplasty
    • Ear Procedures
      • Otoplasty (ear pinning)
      • Earlobe Repair
      • Earlobe Reduction
    • Eyelid and Brow Procedures
      • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
      • Upper Eyelid Lift
      • Lower Eyelid Lift
      • Asian Blepharoplasty
      • Endoscopic Browlift
      • Brow and Forehead Lift
      • Hairline Lowering (Forehead Reduction)
    • Lip Procedures
      • Lip Augmentation
      • Lip Reduction
      • Lip Lift
      • Revision Lip Augmentation
    • For Men
      • Facelift for Men
        • Facelift for Men FAQ
      • Browlift for Men
        • Upper Eyelid Lift for Men
        • Lower Eyelid Lift for Men
      • Neck Lift for Men
      • Rhinoplasty for Men
    • Revision Cosmetic Surgery
      • Revision Facelift
      • Revision Lip Augmentation
      • Revision Rhinoplasty
      • Chin Implant Revision
      • Cheek Implant Revision
    • Reconstructive
      • Cleft Lip and Palate Repair
    • Medical Necessity
      • Functional Nasal Surgery
      • Osteoma Removal
      • Rhinophyma
      • Septoplasty
    • Implants
      • Cheek Implants
      • Chin Implants
    • Hair Restoration
  • Non-Surgical
    • Neurotoxin Injectables
      • Botox Cosmetic, Dysport and Xeomin
    • Injectable Fillers
      • Bellafill
      • Belotero Injections
      • Radiesse Injections
      • Juvederm Vollure XC Injections
      • Juvederm Volbella Injections
      • Restylane® Refyne
      • Restylane® Defyne
      • Restylane Lyft Injections
      • Voluma Injections
      • Non-surgical Chin Augmentation
      • Non-Surgical Cheek Augmentation
      • Soft Tissue Fillers
      • Submental Fat Reduction (Kybella™)
    • Laser Procedures
      • Lasers
      • Laser Resurfacing
      • Non-Ablative Laser Rejuvenation
      • IPL Photofacial Rejuvenation (MaxG)
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The Real Meaning Behind the Term “Plastic Surgery”

San Francisco & Mill Valley, CA

Home  | Our Blog |  The Real Meaning Behind the Term “Plastic Surgery”

Posted on September 29, 2021 in Plastic Surgery

When most people think about the term “plastic surgery,” they immediately associate it with the plastic material used in everyday items. This brings up connotations of unnatural or even unhealthy products, and many people assume that the term refers to plastic implants used in plastic surgery procedures. However, this is a common misconception (and in fact, medical-grade silicone used in implants is much more complex than the plastic found in other products). To understand the term plastic surgery, you should first understand the history of the discipline and what plastic surgeons like Dr. Ransom do today.

A Brief History of Plastic Surgery

The very first recorded plastic surgery procedures took place in approximately 800 BC in India. These procedures involved using flaps from the forehead to reconstruct amputated noses. The ancient Egyptians and Romans were also known to perform plastic surgery procedures to improve the appearance of the skin or restore the ears or lips.

In the United States, the American Board of Plastic Surgeries was founded in 1937. Later, the American Board of Medical Specialties named plastic surgery as a major specialty board in 1941. In the decades since, plastic surgeons have made significant advancements as they work to restore the face and body after injuries or birth defects and improve the appearance through both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Plastic surgery is among the most complex medical professions due to the wide range of procedures that plastic surgeons must understand and master. Some plastic surgeons, like Dr. Ransom, choose to specialize in a certain area such as the face. However, all plastic surgeons will study a range of procedures as they work to earn certification.

How Plastic Surgery Got Its Name

The term plastic surgery refers to modeling or sculpting and is derived from the Greek word plastike. In fact, plastic surgery was named before the material known as the plastic was commonplace, meaning that early plastic surgeons and their patients had no association with this material. This confusion and misconception actually came decades after the term plastic surgery was in use.

Training and Certification for Plastic Surgeons

To become a certified plastic surgeon, a doctor will complete extensive education and training; typically, this means 14-16 years of higher education. They must first complete medical school and initial training in a surgical field which could include a number of specialties like general surgery or otolaryngology. Dr. Ransom studied Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia during his residency training. Following a residency, many plastic surgeons will then complete a fellowship. Dr. Ransom completed this training in facial plastic, reconstructive, and laser surgery with Dr. Andrew Jacono in New York City and Long Island, New York. Finally, plastic surgeons can become board-certified after passing both written and oral examinations.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about your facial plastic and reconstructive surgery options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Evan Ransom. Call our San Francisco office at (415) 877-6589 or contact us online to schedule your first appointment.

Dr. Ransom

Dr. Evan Ransom is an Ivy League-educated and Ivy League trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He is a Double Board Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and fellowship-trained in facial plastic, reconstructive, and laser surgery. His practice is in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving patients from San Francisco, Oakland, Marin County, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, Walnut Creek, the East Bay, and all over Northern California.

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The first step to any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure is scheduling a consultation. Dr. Ransom will carefully review your concerns and develop a treatment plan that is most effective for your unique needs. To schedule your consultation, call our San Francisco office at (415) 550-1077 or request an appointment through our online form. 

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