Does using slang words when discussing a complex topic make people feel more comfortable? Does it insult the "experts" in that topic? Both are probably true, so while as a rule we don’t endorse the use of cosmetic plastic surgery slang terms, we are familiar with them and want our patients to use whatever words helps them tell us what they are looking for.

Dr. Michael Rose of The Plastic Surgery Center of New Jersey is known for his relaxed attitude, and is popular for making his patients feel comfortable. "While I endorse proper terminology and like my patients to be educated, I know that often slang terms are what patients are familiar with, or they do, in fact, help them to feel more relaxed about discussing these procedures. Whatever their choice, we'd like them to know the proper terminology."

One of the hallmarks of cosmetic plastic surgery is the use of slang terms to define various procedures. While some may be of the opinion that it puts a person more at ease to use these “lighter sounding” descriptions, at The Plastic Surgery Center of New Jersey, our opinion is that use of slang terms generally undermines the gravity of the procedures. So, we use, and encourage the use of by our patients—the correct terminology for cosmetic procedures.

We take all plastic surgery procedures seriously, and want to make 100% sure that our patients do as well. It is important that we make sure that every patient we accept is a good candidate for cosmetic surgery both physically and psychologically. This includes knowing all about their procedure (including its name!) and all of the pros and cons of that procedure.

The actual term for plastic surgery itself has evolved. In just the short history of plastic surgery the terminology has changed from plastic surgery to cosmetic surgery to aesthetic surgery. All three are fairly interchangeable, although the first term tends to include reconstructive procedures (like after cancer or accidents) and the later two terms are generally used to describe only elective, cosmetic enhancement type surgeries.

SLANG GLOSSARY

Boob Job - Technical term: Breast Augmentation (enlargement)
Nose Job - Technical term: Rhinoplasty
Crow’s feet - Technical term: Perioccular Rhytides
Turkey Neck - Technical term: Cervical Laxity
Saddlebags - Technical term: Outer thigh/hip fat
Banana rolls - Technical term: Fat under buttocks on upper leg
Marionette Lines - Technical term: Wrinkles that go from the mouth to the chin
Frown lines, or “elevens”- Technical term: Glabellar Rhytides
Smoker’s Lines - Technical term: Perioral Rhytides
Tummy Tuck - Abdominoplasty
Muffin Top - Technical term: Abdominal Lipodystrophy
Man Boobs - technical term: Gynecomastia
Nip-and-Tuck - Any type of plastic surgery
Eyelift - Blepharoplasty
Bat Wings - Brachioplasty
Mommy Make Over - surgery following childbirth, with the goal to regain pre-pregnancy figure. Also includes tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast lift, butt lift, liposuction, breast augmentation