Plastic surgery is surgery to repair or reconstruct physical defects of the skin, head and body. A plastic surgeon performs structural cosmetic surgery for aesthetic reasons to change the shape of features on the head or body, or can perform reconstructive surgery to correct deformities of the head or body caused by injury, disease, or birth defects. This specialist deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, hand, extremities, breast, trunk and external genitalia. The plastic surgeon uses aesthetic surgical principles not only to improve undesirable qualities of normal structures, but in all reconstructive procedures as well.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are burns, Acne, birth defects, wrinkles, pock, and mucosa defects.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, mastectomy, Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (liposuction), Augmentation Mammaplasty (breast enlargement or boob job), Mesotherapy, Mastopexy (breast lift), Rhytidectomy (face lift), Rhinoplasty (nose job), Vaginoplasty, Chemical peel, Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Labiaplasty, breast reconstruction, Chin augmentation, Sex reassignment surgery, microsurgery, fat injections, Buttock Augmentation (butt augmentation or butt implants), and Cheek augmentation.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including breast exam, skin test, Atropine test, and Fluorescein test.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Washington, D.C. has 45 practicing plastic surgeon in Washington.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Washington, D.C. has a population of 550,521. Of this population, 110,240 are under the age of 18 and 66,591 are at or above the age of 65.