Cosmetic surgery means any plastic surgical procedure performed with the objective of improving the individual’s appearance. Individuals choose to undergo the surgery to change their appearance, even if there is no medical problem.
Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular and includes a range of procedures that can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body.
Possible Causes:
Cosmetic surgery can be done on any part of your body, from arm liposuction to breast reduction and is considered an elective procedure. However, it only changes the aesthetics and not how your body actually functions.
Losing a lot of weight, very quickly, results in excess skin that sags, particularly around the face and abdomen or an accident may leave you disfigured or ageing may take its toll on you, in the form of wrinkles – all these conditions require cosmetic surgery.
Risk Factors:
Cosmetic surgery entails medical risks, and the surgery is likely to affect you personally and professionally. You are at a greater risk of contracting pneumonia, stroke, heart attack or blood clots in the legs or lungs if you have a history of heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or obesity. Smoking interferes with healing so should be avoided.
Research suggests that people who undergo cosmetic surgery may experience psychological issues, such as depression or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unusual pain, visual disturbances, white skin near an injection site or signs of a stroke.
Signs & Symptoms:
You may be a good candidate for cosmetic surgery if you wish to look younger or want to change a feature of your face or body that you’ve never liked. If your face or body was disfigured in an accident you may opt for cosmetic surgery.
Diagnosis:
When you first meet a plastic surgeon at Medcare, there will be a discussion on how cosmetic surgery can change the body and if the outcome is in line with your expectations. The plastic surgeon will explain the concept of asymmetry and balance so that you understand how your looks may change with cosmetic surgery.
Photography and computer imaging may be used. You need to have a clear understanding of what will happen before, during and after the procedure, and what results to expect.
It needs to be a well thought out decision and you should have no medical issues including no history of tobacco use and have maintained a stable weight for the last 6 months.
Treatment Options:
Schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon at Medcare to discuss your specific requirements. After the initial consultation and having studied your medical history, the surgeon will conduct a physical examination.
Cosmetic surgery can be performed on any part of the face and body. For the face, it may include Botox®, chemical peel, dermabrasion, face contouring, lifting of cheek, face and neck, laser hair removal, spider vein treatment and many more. For the body, cosmetic surgery may include abdominoplasty, liposuction, breast augmentation, buttock and inner thigh lift and laser hair removal.
Cosmetic surgery is usually performed at our hospital under general anaesthesia. Alternatively, a laser surgery which is minimally invasive uses a viewing scope that results in less pain, less scarring, and quicker recovery.
A: If you have any medical issues like diabetes, obesity, lung or heart issues, you need to discuss these with your regular doctor as well as the plastic surgeon. Consumption of alcohol and smoking should be avoided.
A: Your age, quality of aftercare, your surgeon and how well you follow post-operative instructions play a significant role in determining the lifespan of your results. Some surgeries like rhinoplasty and breast augmentation may last a long time, while some like Botox® and facial fillers may have to be repeated after some time.
A: There is no fixed age limit for plastic surgery. Your specialist will discuss your health conditions and your objectives, and suggest whether the procedure is suitable for you.