why is it called plastic surgery?

i mean, plastic isn't involved, is it?

they must use like some sort of plastic :p or everyone wants to look plastic

This Site Might Help You. RE: why is it called plastic surgery? i mean, plastic isn't involved, is it?

Most of our language comes from other cultures. Plastic comes from Greek and means to mold or form something. When plastics first came out it was usually called Bakelite'. records and radio cases were made of Bakelite amd shrunk or got brittle as it aged or got hot. Then vinyl came out and things got better. Plastic was a word back in the 40's , 50's and 60's that meant cheap. Sorta like saying 'made in Japan'. But today they are called 'composites' rather than plastic because they are far superior than yesterdays 'plastics'.

Well, actually, there are two types: Plastic and Cosmetic. Plastic surgery is generally reconstructive work done to people for semi-medical reasons. For example, fixing a hairlip. Cosmetic surgery is what more people think of plastic surgery. That's stuff like breast implants, nose jobs, etc.

Obviously the medical name isn't going to be a joke, like it makes you look like plastic. One definition of plastic is capable of being molded or of receiving form, or formative, so it likely has to do with the nature of the surgery--reforming/restoring poorly formed or injured parts. Let's not forget that plastic surgery isn't just about getting your skin pulled back/making your boobs bigger. It's not always about making people stare at you. Sometimes, for people with birth defects or injuries, it's about having people NOT stare at you because of your burns, cleft lip, birthmark, etc.