The History of Cosmetic Surgery

Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian, one of the pioneers of liposuction, maintains a successful practice in the Chicago area. At his four clinic locations, Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian provides a wide selection of cosmetic services, both surgical and non-surgical, to address virtually any issue. Below, Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian describes the history of cosmetic surgery. Although people associate cosmetic surgery with modern medical practice, the discipline goes back more than 4,000 years in India, where doctors developed techniques for correcting deformities. In addition, the Egyptians and Romans employed a range of cosmetic surgery techniques, generally to repair damage caused by war. As anesthesia and sanitation techniques improved in the 19th century, cosmetic surgery became more common. Surgery to repair cleft palates and damage to the face were among the most common procedures, and doctors performed skin grafts and mastectomies. World War I served as a major catalyst for the development of cosmetic surgery techniques. Advances in chemical warfare led to greater disfiguration among soldiers, and doctors began developing techniques to help these victims attain greater comfort. The connection between appearance and self-esteem was better understood around this time. In 1931, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons was established to provide guidelines for the discipline and promote its development. Over the subsequent decades, cosmetic surgery techniques improved to the point where doctors began to offer elective cosmetic treatments. Since the 1960s, techniques such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, and breast augmentations have continued to grow in popularity and fall in price on an annual basis. To learn more about the best treatment options for you, contact Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian through his office website: www.lipodoc.com.