The Future of Plastic Surgery: Innovation and Extremity
As I gaze into the crystal ball of the next 20 years, it becomes clear that plastic surgery will continue to evolve in ways that may seem almost impossible today. The advancements in technology and medical research will push the boundaries of what is currently possible, making previously unimaginable procedures a reality.
Extreme Procedures Ahead
It's inevitable that plastic surgery will move towards more extreme procedures. We will see patients requesting unconventional alterations such as extreme skin grafting, transforming skin to a fur coat or scales, or even colorful patches. The possibility of grafting cadaver ears or growing a third breast will no longer be the stuff of science fiction but will become a reality. There is nothing left that we haven't done yet.
Stem Cells: The Holy Grail of Regeneration
The Holy Grail of plastic surgery is undoubtedly the discovery of tissue regeneration. While we have made significant progress with tissue constructs such as cadaver skin and bilaminate wound matrices, we are still lacking the full capability to regenerate tissue. However, recent breakthroughs with stem cells are changing this.
For decades, stem cells have been used in organ transplantation and treatments for heart disease, among other tissues. Yet, consistency has been a challenge. Now, a company called PolarityTE has claimed to have found the Holy Grail: the ability to polarize stem cells, enabling the regeneration of one's own tissue. On October 3rd, 2017, FDA approval was granted for the use of these cells in skin applications, and the results have been nothing short of staggering.
Revolutionary Implications for Cosmetic Surgery
The advancements in transplant medicine are set to be generational-changing. For plastic surgery specifically, the implications are limitless. With an endless supply of one's own skin cells, the need for skin grafts and substitutes will become a thing of the past. This breakthrough will make it possible to inject one's own muscle cells to achieve the perfect physique, or use one's own cartilage for support in a rhinoplasty. Can you imagine the possibilities? In the future, we may even be 3D printing structures using a patient's own tissue.
Looking to the Future
While these advancements may sound like science fiction, they are closer to reality than many would imagine. The 1997 movie "Face Off" seemed impossible, yet there have already been 20 successful face transplants. These big ideas are becoming scientific reality. As a double Board-Certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, I can attest to the rapid pace of innovation that lies ahead in the field of plastic surgery. It's an exciting time to be in this field, where the boundaries of what is possible are constantly being pushed.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore and innovate in the world of plastic surgery, where the future is both exciting and unpredictable.