Plastic surgeons often get a bad rap. Many people think that the only reason for plastic surgery is for cosmetic reasons. The truth is, plastic surgery can help people with a wide range of genuine medical conditions. Sometimes, people can struggle with a condition for years before they discover that plastic surgery can alleviate their suffering. While of course plastic surgeons can give you bigger breasts or take care of a sagging chin, here are three genuine medical conditions that plastic surgeons houston texas can help with.

Deviated Septum

The septum is the thin wall in your nose that separates the right nostril from the left. In most people, this wall leans slightly to the left or to the right, but in some cases, the septum can lean so significantly that it prohibits people from breathing properly. This is known as a deviated septum. A deviated septum can also cause bacteria build-up, which can lead to chronic sinus infections. Sometimes people are born with a deviated septum, but it can also occur because of trauma, such as being in an accident or being punched in the face. A broken nose is the most common cause of a deviated septum other than a birth defect. While almost any surgeon can fix the septum itself, a plastic surgeon can also fix damage to bones as well.

Cleft Lip or Palate

The CDC recently estimates that about 2,650 babies are born with a cleft palate and 4,440 babies are born with a cleft lip each year in the U.S. It is one of the most common birth defects in the U.S. A cleft lip occurs when there is a physical split between the two sides of the upper lip, while a cleft palate is a physical split or opening in the roof of the mouth. In addition to the painful cosmetic aspect of a cleft lip, children born with a cleft lip or palate can also experience difficulties with feeding and speaking clearly and can be prone to more chronic ear infections. They also might have hearing problems and problems with their teeth. Plastic surgeons do more than just repair the physical damage, they also vastly improve the child’s quality of life.

Wound Care

Many people may not be aware that your skin is an organ and it is the largest organ in the body. Your skin is like a protective wrapping that protects the body from all manner of infections and is a vital part of our immune system. When skin becomes damaged beyond repair, it leaves us highly susceptible to diseases and infections. For the most part, our skin is constantly repairing itself, but damage from burns or severe cuts can hinder the skin’s ability to repair itself. This is where skin grafts come in. A plastic surgeon can take healthy tissue from an undamaged area of the body and replace it in a damaged area. Ideally, the healthy skin begins to regrow over the damaged area and the area it was taken from also begins to regrow healthy skin.