Yes, boys can have plastic surgery for medical and cosmetic reasons. There is no gender bias in pediatric plastic surgery, and they treat both boys and girls, irrespective of whether they have a congenital disability (e.g., cleft lip and palate), were involved in a trauma or accident, or have a deformity.

For boys, typical surgeries involve procedures such as ear reconstruction, cleft lip repair, burn contracture release, and correction of hand deformities. Cosmetic-based techniques, such as mole removal or scar revision, are also performed to enhance self-esteem and social development in adolescents. “If you’d seen what I’d seen when going through medical school, you’d understand why pediatric surgeons do not prioritise appearance over medical necessity,” he wrote.

No, paediatricians are not surgeons. They can provide medical care, but when surgical intervention is needed, they generally refer to paediatric surgeons or paediatric plastic surgeons.

A paediatric plastic surgeon is trained in further (beyond general paediatrics) years of specific surgical training. Though paediatricians look after comprehensive child health, they are not capable of performing complex surgeries such as craniofacial reconstruction or tumour removal in children other than board-certified pediatric surgeons.

Dr. William E. Ladd is considered the father of pediatric surgery.

More than 100 years ago, an American surgeon named Dr. Ladd developed techniques and guidelines uniquely for surgical care for children. He helped to establish pediatric surgery as a distinct speciality. Today’s pediatric plastic surgeons can carry on that tradition, performing operations that are both safe and effective and are specifically designed for a child’s anatomy and needs.

Don’t say “Just make me look like [celebrity],” or “Do whatever you think is best.

Parents need to be good communicators when it comes to plastic surgery (especially on this topic involving children). Be clear about medical concerns, ask realistic questions, and refrain from making emotional or nebulous demands. “Functional improvement and safe correction is the mission of pediatric plastic surgery, not perfection.”

Sushruta, an early Indian physician, is regarded as the “father of surgery”.

The forehead flaps that Sushruta used in the 6th century BCE for nasal remoulding (rhinoplasty). His methods are described in the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient text on Indian surgery. This legacy is carried forward into modern-day pediatric plastic surgery, featuring cutting-edge procedures and child-friendly practices.

Bone correction surgeries, such as spinal surgery or craniofacial reconstruction, are among the most painful for children.

As pediatric plastic surgeons, we are well-versed in pain management, including anaesthesia for patient comfort during procedures and post-operative recovery. While jaw realignment, cranial reshaping, or deep burn contracture release procedures can lead to temporary discomfort, we work diligently to minimise it by utilising these anaesthesia techniques, postoperative pain management strategies, and other comfort measures. But child-friendly hospitals provide pain management programs, with pediatric anesthesiologists and child-life specialists, to reduce stress and aid healing.

Operations that involve the brain, the heart, or the airway are the most dangerous overall because they are both complex and urgent.

In pediatric plastic surgery, surgeries adjacent to the brain (i.e., craniofacial surgeries) or those involving facial vascular anomalies may inherently pose a higher risk. These are specialist works, involving detailed teams, the best of imaging, and a very steady hand. Risk factors are age, comorbidities, and the acuity of the intervention. When doing so, make sure you always select a well-known pediatric hospital for it.

The average annual salary of a pediatric plastic surgeon is ₹15 lakhs to ₹40 lakhs(negotiable and variable)(varying according to experience and nature of hospital) in India.

Salary depends on qualifications, type of practice (urban or rural), sector (private or public), and being internationally trained. Top-tier hospitals (such as Rainbow Children’s Hospital) and internationally trained or fellowship-holding physicians also often earn more. Pediatric plastic surgery is a small but richly rewarding and respected discipline.

When facial plastic surgery is performed correctly, it does not interfere with expected growth in children.

Pediatric plastic surgeons are specialists who are well-prepared to operate in and around growth plates, facial bones, and soft tissues. Indeed, many surgeries, such as the repair of a cleft lip or palate, or the correction of a hand deformity, allow the child to grow and develop normally. In some cases, delaying surgery may have psychosocial or functional consequences.