Bhubaneswar: Evolution of cosmetic surgery is a response to the basic human desire to ‘look good’ in the society. With changing culture and improved economy it has gained enormous popularity in our society. People are very conscious about their look and the picture they post in social media.
Moreover various apps like snap chat have triggered their expectation for a filtered/flawlesslook. Study shows that attractive people are more likely to be hired and they get better salary and early promotion. Certain jobs like receptionist, cabin crew etc also demand pleasing personality.
It seems to be unfortunate but true. Cosmetic surgery not only helps to improve one’s appearance and self-esteem,ithas 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 inducesa sense of overall wellbeing. 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 as a vulgar display of wealth in the society, rather it is an investment for better appearance leading to enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence.
Many cosmetic procedures can be performed as day care procedures in which patients do not need admission in the hospital. These procedures includes 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 (gynaecomastia), 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. A pre-operative counseling with the patient and if possible with the relatives plays a vital role in preventing misunderstanding and litigation later. Patient should be explained about the pros and cons of the procedures. Every effort should be made to make patients aware about the treatment options available and their final cosmetic outcome.
Though nonsurgical procedures are becoming more popular, surgical intervention produces a better and natural result and advancement in technologies have reduced the duration of hospital stay and number of stages.
Thus cosmetic surgery is a very effective tool to enhance one’s sense of overall wellbeing. Like any surgical interventions it has its limitations and possible complications. But to prevent disaster from desire, there should be realistic expectations by the patient.
