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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. 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.
