These days the term 'plastic surgery' is often seen as synonymous with cosmetic surgery. It conjures up images of celebrities undergoing numerous procedures in their search for everlasting youth. But plastic surgery is about much more than cosmetic surgery. It is about restoring normal human form and function.

The reconstructive side of plastic surgery, including microsurgery, focuses on repairing and covering up the destructive effects of accidents, disease and surgery. Plastic surgery deals with burns, major trauma to the tissue and limbs and the effects of some cancer treatments. Plastic surgery also corrects deformities which are the result of birth defects, such as a cleft palate or cleft lip.
 
Thousands of New Zealanders now lead fully functional lives thanks to the life-saving and life- enhancing skills of plastic surgeons. The following pages outline the history of the specialty and the work done by plastic surgeons in NZ today.