A series of seven programmes
The plastic surgeon is often thought to be concerned only with 'cosmetics': shortening noses, removing 'spare tyres' of fat, 'lifting' faces...
But there are more important developments: children with hare lips or cleft palates able to talk naturally: lost thumbs or fingers replaced by skin grafts; new jaws and faces for disfigured cancer patients - a whole world of remedial surgery made possible by skilful surgeons who need more than 12 years to train.
Compiled and narrated by Tony Van den Bergh