before-and-after photos are standardized images taken at different time points to document visible changes. They are used in cosmetic and reconstructive care to compare appearance before treatment and after healing or improvement. They can support clinical records, patient communication, and education about typical ranges of outcomes. They may be captured in 2D photography or with specialized systems such as 3D imaging, depending on the clinic.

photographic documentation is the systematic capture and storage of clinical photographs as part of the medical record. It is used to show appearance, symmetry, and changes over time in a consistent way. It is common in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, as well as dermatology and wound care. It typically includes pre-treatment, intra-treatment (when appropriate), and post-treatment images.

A physical exam is a clinician’s hands-on assessment of the body using observation and simple bedside techniques. It commonly includes looking, feeling, listening, and sometimes measuring specific findings. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, it helps evaluate anatomy, skin quality, symmetry, and healing before and after procedures. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive care, as well as general medical visits.

A medical history is a structured record of a person’s past and current health information. It commonly includes diagnoses, surgeries, medications, allergies, and relevant family and social factors. Clinicians use medical history in both cosmetic and reconstructive care to support safe planning and realistic expectations. It is typically gathered through conversation, questionnaires, and review of medical records.

informed consent is a structured process where a patient agrees to a medical intervention after receiving and understanding relevant information. It includes discussion of expected benefits, limitations, risks, and reasonable alternatives, plus the option to decline. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive care, including surgery, injectables, and device-based treatments. It also includes documenting that the decision was voluntary and that questions were answered.

shared decision-making is a structured conversation where a clinician and patient make healthcare choices together. It combines medical evidence with the patient’s goals, values, and tolerance for trade-offs. It is commonly used in cosmetic and plastic surgery when there are multiple reasonable options. It is also used in reconstructive care where function, symmetry, and long-term planning matter.

risk stratification is the process of sorting a patient’s health risks into categories (such as low, moderate, or high) to guide clinical decisions. It combines medical history, exam findings, and sometimes scoring tools to estimate the likelihood of specific complications. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as well as many other areas of medicine. In plastic surgery, it commonly supports decisions about safety planning, anesthesia, and perioperative precautions.

An indication is the clinical reason to recommend a specific test, treatment, or procedure. It connects a patient’s concern, anatomy, and goals to an intervention that may help. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery to guide appropriate choices. It is documented in charts to support decision-making and informed consent.

A contraindication is a reason a treatment, medication, or procedure should be avoided or delayed. It is used to reduce the chance of harm by identifying when risks are likely to outweigh benefits. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, contraindication guides whether a procedure is appropriate right now or at all. It applies in both cosmetic (appearance-focused) and reconstructive (function or restoration-focused) care.

patient selection is the clinical process of deciding whether a person is an appropriate candidate for a specific procedure or treatment plan. It combines medical history, physical findings, goals, and risk assessment to match the right procedure to the right person. It is used in both cosmetic (aesthetic) and reconstructive plastic surgery, as well as non-surgical aesthetic treatments. It also includes identifying when *not* to treat, or when to choose a different approach.

preoperative assessment is a structured medical evaluation done before a planned procedure. It reviews health history, physical findings, and procedure goals to plan safely and predictably. It is used in both cosmetic (appearance-focused) and reconstructive (function- and repair-focused) surgery. It may also be used before minimally invasive aesthetic treatments when relevant.

postoperative care is the monitoring and support provided after a procedure to help recovery progress safely. It includes wound care, symptom management, and follow-up assessments over days to months. It is used after cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, as well as minimally invasive treatments. It is tailored to the procedure, the patient’s health, and the clinician’s technique and preferences.

perioperative care is the coordinated medical care given before, during, and after a procedure. It focuses on planning, safety, comfort, and recovery around an operation or procedural treatment. It is commonly used in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, as well as other surgical fields. It includes teamwork among the surgeon, anesthesia team, nursing staff, and other clinicians as needed.

outpatient surgery is a planned procedure where you go home the same day instead of staying overnight. It can be performed in a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or appropriately equipped office-based setting. It is used in cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and general surgical care. Whether a procedure qualifies depends on the operation, anesthesia needs, and patient health factors.

ambulatory surgery is surgery performed without an overnight hospital stay. Most patients arrive, have the procedure, recover for a short period, and go home the same day. It is commonly done in hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgery centers, or some accredited office-based settings. In plastic surgery, it may be used for both cosmetic procedures (appearance-focused) and reconstructive procedures (function and form restoration).

An office-based procedure is a medical or aesthetic procedure performed in a clinician’s office or clinic setting rather than a hospital. It can include non-surgical treatments and select minor surgeries, depending on the facility, equipment, and staffing. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, it is commonly used for injectables, skin procedures, and some small operative revisions. It may be used for cosmetic goals, reconstructive needs, or both, depending on the case.

noninvasive describes an approach that does not break the skin or enter the body with instruments. In cosmetic and plastic care, it commonly refers to non-surgical treatments performed on the skin surface. It may be used in aesthetic care and, in some settings, reconstructive care for symptom relief or appearance support. Clinicians often contrast noninvasive with *minimally invasive* (small punctures or tiny incisions) and *surgical* (incisions and tissue dissection).

minimally invasive describes medical techniques that reduce tissue disruption compared with traditional open surgery. It often uses smaller incisions, needles, cannulas, or endoscopic instruments to access target anatomy. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, it commonly aims to improve appearance with less visible scarring and shorter downtime. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive care, depending on the concern and clinical goals.

revision surgery is a procedure performed to correct, refine, or restore results after a prior surgery. It may address appearance, symmetry, comfort, function, or healing-related concerns. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. The scope can range from a small adjustment to a more complex reoperation.

A reconstructive procedure is a medical or surgical intervention that restores form and/or function after injury, disease, or a congenital difference. It is most commonly used in plastic and reconstructive surgery, but can involve multiple specialties. It may rebuild missing tissue, improve symmetry, or help a body part work better. It can overlap with cosmetic surgery when improving appearance is part of restoring normal structure.