Plastic surgery covers a wide range of different surgical procedures that repair, reconstruct or replace structures in many different parts of the body including the skin, face and head, hands, breast and stomach. Plastic surgery does not involve the use of plastic materials.

Plastic surgery can generally be divided into two main types:

• Reconstructive surgery: is performed on abnormal parts of the body that have been affected by a birth defect, an accident or disease. This includes cleft lip and palate repair, scar revision, reconstruction following burns. This surgery is usually performed to improve function, but may also be performed to bring the appearance of a part of the body as close as possible to normal. 
   
• Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery: improves appearance or body image by reshaping features of the face or body e.g. breast enlargement or reduction, face lift, liposuction.