Understand common procedures and terms with clear, patient-friendly explanations.
Procedure Glossary
A Helpful Guide Common Plastic Surgery Terms and Procedures
Understanding the language of plastic surgery can make your experience more comfortable and informed. This glossary provides clear explanations of commonly used terms, procedures, and concepts to help you better navigate your consultation and treatment planning process. Whether you are researching a specific procedure or simply want to feel more confident in your knowledge, this resource is designed to support you every step of the way.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
The removal of excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen. The procedure also tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall.
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
The umbrella organization of 24 approved medical specialty boards that grants board certification.
American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
A member of the American Board of Medical Specialties that grants board certification.
American Medical Association (AMA)
An organization that provides medical information to physicians and patients.
American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)
Organization of board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Organization of board-certified plastic surgeons dedicated to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
Asymmetry
A term used to describe the disproportion of two normally similar parts.
Augmentation Mammoplasty (Breast Augmentation or Breast Enlargement)
Enlargement of the breasts through the use of implants. There are four areas of entry for implantation, including the nipple, under the breast, the armpit, and the navel.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
The removal of excess fat, skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids.
Board Certified
Granted by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties, to a physician who has completed and met extensive medical qualifications.
Body Contouring (Liposuction)
The removal of excess fat to improve body appearance and smooth irregular or distorted body shapes.
Botox® Injection
An injection into the muscles of the face to relax muscles and help reduce wrinkles. It works well on crow's feet, horizontal forehead wrinkles, and vertical lines between the brows. Botox® does wear off in 3-4 months.
Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammoplasty or Breast Enlargement)
Enlargement of the breasts through the use of implants. There are four areas of entry for implantation, including the nipple, under the breast, the armpit, and the navel.
Breast Enlargement (Augmentation Mammoplasty or Breast Augmentation)
Enlargement of the breasts through the use of implants. There are four areas of entry for implantation, including the nipple, under the breast, the armpit, and the navel.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
This procedure lifts the breasts and tightens the skin without changing the size of the breasts.
Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)
Minimization and smoothing of forehead wrinkles and lines, and the elevation of the brows to reduce eyelid drooping.
Contracture
A condition used to describe the shrinking of the capsule around a breast implant. This may cause the breast to feel hard and can cause the breast to become distorted. A grading classification called the Baker System is commonly used to classify the degree of contracture around the breast implants.
- Grade I: Soft with natural appearance
- Grade II: Implant can be palpated, less soft; natural appearance
- Grade III: Firm with visible distortion
- Grade IV: Breast is hard with obvious spherical distortion; may be painful
Cheekbone Augmentation (Malar Augmentation)
Reshaping and increasing the size of the cheekbones, often with an implant.
Chin Augmentation (Mentoplasty)
Reshaping and increasing the size of the chin, often with an implant.
Collagen Implant (Filler Injection, Soft-Tissue Augmentation)
An injection of protein into the skin to help smooth skin and reduce wrinkles and the appearance of scars.
Cosmetic Surgery (Plastic Surgery)
A specialty surgery that reshapes the face and body.
Dry Eyes
A lack of tears. Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication and health of your eyes.
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
Reshaping of the cartilage of the ear to repair damage, reduce size, or to set a protruding ear closer to the head.
Ectropion
A rolling outward of the margin of the eye.
Entropion
A turning inward of the margin of the eye.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Removal of excess fat, skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
Tightening of the facial skin and neck.
Filler Injection (Collagen Implant, Soft-Tissue Augmentation)
The injection of collagen into the skin helps smooth skin and reduce wrinkles and the appearance of scars.
Flap Necrosis
The death of tissue used for transplantation.
Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)
Minimization and smoothing of forehead wrinkles and lines, and the elevation of the brows to reduce eyelid drooping.
Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)
Reduction of enlarged breasts in men.
Hernia
Protrusion of a part of the tissue that normally contains it.
Liposuction (Body Contouring)
Removal of excess fat to improve body appearance and smooth irregular or distorted body shapes.
Malar Augmentation (Cheekbone Augmentation)
Reshaping and increasing the size of the cheekbones, often with an implant.
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
Reduction of enlarged breasts in men.
Mammoplasty (Mammaplasty, Mastoplasty)
Changing the shape, size, and/or position of the breast.
Mastectomy
Removal of portions or the entire breast.
Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
This procedure lifts the breasts and tightens the skin without changing the size of the breasts.
Mentoplasty (Chin Augmentation)
Reshaping and increasing the size of the chin, often with an implant.
Mini Tummy Tuck (Partial Abdominoplasty)
Removal of fat and excess skin in the lower abdomen.
Necrosis
A term used to describe the death of cells or a portion of tissue or organs.
Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
The reshaping of nose cartilage and bone to reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape or angle, correct birth defects or injuries, or relieve certain breathing problems.
Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)
Reshaping of the cartilage of the ear to repair damage, reduce size, or to set a protruding ear closer to the head.
Partial Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tuck)
Removal of fat and excess skin in the lower abdomen.
Plastic Surgery (Cosmetic Surgery)
A specialty surgery that reshapes the face and body.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
A specialty surgery that reconstructs the face and body, usually due to trauma.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)
The reshaping of nose cartilage and bone to reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape or angle, correct birth defects or injuries, or relieve certain breathing problems.
Rhytidectomy (Facelift)
Tightening of the facial skin and neck.
Septorhinoplasty
A form of rhinoplasty or nose reshaping that helps correct certain breathing problems.
Seroma
A mass caused by the accumulation of fluid within a tissue or organ.
Soft-Tissue Augmentation (Collagen Implant, Filler Injection)
The injection of collagen into the skin helps smooth skin and reduce wrinkles and the appearance of scars.
Tissue Necrosis
The death of tissue cells.
Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle (TRAM)
Commonly used for mastectomy wounds; it is the removal of fat, skin, and muscle from the stomach and placing it at the site of the new breast.
Dr. Jonathan Berman
Dr. Jonathan Ross Berman is a Boca Raton plastic surgeon who has been certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology / Head, and Neck Surgery , with over 30 years of service experience specializing in Breast Augmentation, Rhinoplasty, Face Lift, Liposuction, and many other types of plastic surgery in Boca Raton, FL.
