Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that uses a number of surgical and nonsurgical techniques to change the appearance and function of a person's body.Plastic surgery procedures include both cosmetic enhancements as well as functionally reconstructive operations. In the former case, where aesthetics are considered more important than functionality, plastic surgery is sometimes referred to as cosmetic surgery. Most procedures involve both aesthetic and functional elements.
The word "plastic" derives from the Greek plastikos meaning to mold or to shape; its use here is not connected with the synthetic polymer material known as plastic. Plastic surgeons typically mold and reshape the following tissues of the body: bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, and skin.
The basic goals of plastic surgery include the following:

* correction of disfigurement
* restoration of impaired function
* improvement of physical appearance
During plastic surgery the following procedures are common:

* Tissue may be moved to fill a depression, to cover a wound, or to improve appearance.
* Tissue may be completely removed to alter the contours of a feature.
The benefits of plastic surgery include:

* correction of a congenital or acquired deformity.
* correction of a perceived physical imperfection.
* psychological benefits.
**Cosmetic surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a very popular form of plastic surgery. As an example, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that in 2006 nearly 11 million cosmetic plastic surgeries were performed in the United States alone.[4]
Within the U.S,. critics of plastic surgery note that it is legal for any doctor, regardless of speciality, to perform cosmetic surgery. It is thus important to distinguish the terms "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic surgery": Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties as the subspecialty dedicated to the surgical repair of defects of form or function -- this includes cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery, as well as reconstructive surgery. The term "cosmetic surgery" however, refers to surgery that is designed to improve cosmetics, or appearance. In several countries including Australia, many doctors who are not qualified as surgeons also perform cosmetic procedures.[5]
The most prevalent aesthetic/cosmetic procedures are listed below. Most of these types of surgery are more commonly known by their "common names."