In today’s technologically advanced society, almost any area of the body can be improved or corrected by a plastic surgeon. The great thing about plastic surgery is that the benefits can be both physical and emotional, both external and internal. 

The physical benefits are multi-faceted in that the first thing most people notice is that their body seems more proportionate or balanced. Whether a person opts to have surgery on their face, breasts or thighs, the aim is to sculpt the body so that it appears more natural. Most people feel that having surgery on a nose deemed too big for their face, will allow them to look the way they thought they were intended to appear.

As a result, appearing ‘normal’ on the outside creates wonders for a person’s confidence as well as their entire demeanor. People who have undergone plastic surgery and are happy with the results, tend to become more outgoing, personable as well as able to participate in social events that they would have otherwise not felt comfortable or confident enough to do.

In the year 2003, 8.79 million cosmetic procedures were completed, of which Botox injections, nose re-shaping and breast augmentation were in the top three with liposuction following, with 320 000 procedures done that year. 

Contrary to popular belief, the term ‘plastic surgery’ has nothing to do with the fake, unnatural or the manufactured as the word may imply. Instead, the term is derived from the Greek word ‘plastikos’, which means to mold, a rather appropriate term since plastic surgery involves the re-shaping and sculpting of the body.

Today, the most common forms of plastic surgery include breast augmentation on women, rhinoplasty (the reshaping of the nose) and liposuction.

Breast Augmentation

To briefly describe breast augmentation surgery, it entails a plastic surgeon making incisions under the arm, beneath the breast or else under the nipples depending on the surgical approach selected. The implants, either saline or silicone, are then inserted under the breast tissue or all the way beneath the chest muscles.

In 2006, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that 329 000 breast augmentations were performed that year, however, it was noted that breast reduction was also on the rise, specifically in Los Angeles, the heart of cosmetic surgery.

Rhinoplasty

The reshaping of the nose is the second most common form of plastic surgery which is conducted on both males and females. Apart from rhinoplasty being performed for aesthetic reasons, many people resort to this form of surgery to correct an injury or a breathing problem.

The procedure typically requires the surgeon to make incisions - sometimes inside the nostrils to reduce scarring - and then lifting the nose skin off its underlying structure of bone or cartilage. To reshape the nose, the exposed cartilage will be trimmed and sculpted to the desired form and then the skin will be returned and refitted to the new shape.

Liposuction

This procedure is the ultimate diet and exercise program in and it is a highly versatile technique many plastic surgeons employ to help reshape many areas of the body such as the tummy, thighs and even the neck and face.

During liposuction, a plastic surgeon will inject a fluid into the fat cells of the area that is to be treated. This injection will contain an anesthetic to limit pain and a vessel-constricting-drug to reduce bleeding. Very small incisions are then made on the skin where tiny tubes will be inserted to suction out the fat.

Opting in and opting knowledgeably

In today’s Hollywood obsessed age, the media is saturated with people who are in the process of having, or have had, plastic surgery. It is therefore sometimes hard to view these procedures as a form of major surgery since it has become so common that few take it more seriously than a simple visit to the dentist. 

Although plastic surgery is often used for aesthetic purposes, it is still major surgery and should be regarded as such. Although complications are rare, those considering going under the knife should still make an informed decision when it comes to changing your physical appearance for life. 

In order to help you understand the full complications of the surgery you are about to undertake, make sure you have researched the surgery procedure, any possible risks as well as the credentials of your potential surgeon. Knowledge after all is power, and since plastic surgery is a life altering procedure, you should conduct extensive research. 

What to expect

Once you have made an informed decision to have plastic surgery, you should brace yourself for a consultation, pre-operative preparation as well as post-operative recovery expectations.

Consultation- Before you undergo surgery, your surgeon should have answered all your questions during the consultation, leaving no stone unturned so that you feel confident before, during and after the procedure. A healthy diet and light exercise regime will help your body cope with the trauma of surgery, so a healthy body before the time is essential. Your surgeon will also have performed a physical examination and have blood tests done to ensure that you are a good candidate.

Pre-Operative- During your pre-operative appointment you should expect your surgeon to have you sign consent forms as well as take pictures of the area he/she will be working on in order to better prepare themselves. This is also a good time to ensure that you and your surgeon are on the same page and have the same desired alterations in mind.

Post-Operative- After surgery you should allow yourself time to recover as well as get used to your transformation, keeping in mind that the swelling will take time to go away and reveal what you really look like. Nausea and grogginess is also a common side effect of anaesthetic so you should anticipate this and have a family member or friend available to help you when necessary.

Risks of plastic surgery

Although complications from plastic surgery are rare nowadays, anyone considering cosmetic surgery should be fully aware of the complications that may arise from the particular surgery they will be undergoing.

The risks will vary depending on the individual and the procedure they opt for, however, scarring, bleeding, infection and nerve damage, to mention a few, are some of the complications that may arise not to mention death.

The most important thing to remember before surgery is that plastic surgery is a personal decision you have knowledgeably made for yourself and not for the people around you. Consider if you would still be happy with the changes a couple of years down the line and if so, research and ask as many questions as possible.

Plastic surgery changes who you are, since so many people judge themselves on appearance, however you should never change yourself for another person’s approval, this is for you and the rest of your life.

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