The History Of Plastic Surgery

The popularity of plastic surgery procedures is a trend that continues to grow, as men and women alike attempt to improve their physical appearance and eliminate what they view as cosmetic flaws.

So where did plastic surgery begin? In this brief article, I'll explain exactly where cosmetic surgery got it's start and how it has evolved over the years.


Plastic surgery actually dates back to the 700s BCE. In India, Doctors began to use skin grafts for reconstructive work as early as the 8th century BC. A well-known Physician named Sushruta Samhita documented detailed descriptions of rhinoplasty and otoplasty.

The Romans were also involved in the beginning days of cosmetic surgery. There began performing surgeries to repair damaged ears around the 1st century BC. Because of the dangers associated with surgeries of any form, especially those that involved the head or facial area, it wasn't until the 19th and 20th centuries that this became more commonplace.

Naturally, the early cases of cosmetic surgery were quite painful due to a lack of anesthesia. Practitioners were able to avoid infection however once disinfectants and sterilization techniques were introduced. The invention of antibiotics was also a dramatic step forward in the world of surgical procedures.

Dr. John Peter Mettauer was the United State's first plastic surgeon and in 1827, he successfully performed the very first cleft palate surgery. These procedures continued to grow in popularity during the 20th century in the U.S.

As you can see, plastic surgery isn't exactly a new procedure. It has been around for ages and will continue to grow in popularity as new techniques are introduced. Some of the most popular procedures today include laser surgery, dermabrasion, liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), chemical peel, abdominoplasty (tummy tucks), rhytidectomy (face lifts), and breast augmentation.