World Plastic Surgery Day: Changing The Way You Look? Have Realistic Expectations

The evolution of cosmetic surgery is a response to the basic human desire to ‘look good’ in society. With changing culture and an improved economy, it has gained enormous popularity in our society. People are very conscious about their looks and the picture they post on social media.

Moreover, various apps have triggered their expectation for a filtered/flawless look. Study shows that attractive people are more likely to be hired and they get a better salary and early promotion. Certain jobs like receptionist, cabin crew etc also demand a pleasing personality. It seems to be unfortunate but true.

Cosmetic surgery not only helps to improve one’s appearance and self-esteem it has also got an in-built element of functional correction. For example, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) can improve breathing, breast reduction surgery (reduction mammoplasty) may relieve shoulder pain and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) may help to relieve back pain. Thus it induces a sense of overall well-being. Whether you want to look as young as you feel or fix a lifelong flaw that makes you conscious of your appearance, it will make your dream a reality. Self-improvement is no longer considered a vulgar display of wealth in society, rather it is an investment for better appearance leading to enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence.

Many cosmetic procedures can be performed as daycare procedures in which patients do not need admission to the hospital. These procedures include hair transplantation, removal of wart/mole/scar, ear lobule repair and getting rid of wrinkles by Botox, fillers and thread-lift etc. Procedures which require admission because they are performed under general anaesthesia include liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), facial rejuvenation (blepharoplasty, face-lift, lip augmentation, dimple creation), breast reshaping (augmentation, mastopexy, reduction), correction of male breast enlargement (gynecomastia), nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), male genital rejuvenation (circumcision) and female genital rejuvenation (hymenoplasty, vaginal tightening, designer vagina).

For a cosmetic surgeon, it is not as glamorous as it sounds. Most of the time patients have unrealistic expectations and such patients will never be satisfied by the final outcome of surgery. Pre-operative counselling with the patient and if possible with the relatives plays a vital role in preventing misunderstanding and litigation later. The patient should be explained the pros and cons of the procedures. Every effort should be made to make patients aware of the treatment options available and their final cosmetic outcome. Though nonsurgical procedures are becoming more popular, surgical intervention produces a better and more natural result and an advancement in technology has reduced the duration of hospital stay and the number of stages.

Thus cosmetic surgery is a very effective tool to enhance one’s sense of overall wellbeing. Like any surgical intervention, it has its limitations and possible complications. But to prevent disaster from desire, there should be realistic expectations by the patient.