BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Hi friends... sorry for the long break in between..just been lazy I guess.

What spurred me to write my next post on the blog was an interview by RJ Malvika with Mrs.Jayshree on RadioIndigo ( fm91.9). Mrs. Jayshree is a Breast Cancer Survivor and she was talking about her whole experience with the disease and its aftermath and how she coped with it.

Nice to hear her experience and am sure it will help other women too. But I thought that some issues needed to be emphasized more from the point of view of the disease process and the options. So this being a awareness month with special emphasis on Breast Cancer, i thought i need to try and compile certain aspects of the same.

I think the first aspect to be dealt with should be the awareness issue regarding breast cancer, then comes the issue of dealing with it , then the treatment options and of course the rehabilitative aspect.

Awareness regarding breast cancer though picking up, is still not reach the extent to which it should. Many reasons behind it and one of the main reasons in our context is the taboo behind talking about anything related to sex. As the breast is a sign of femininity and female sexuality any talk about it is taken as taboo and hence women also tend to shun away from seeking knowledge about the same. Education is the only way to improve awareness. We see many women with advanced stages of breast cancer because they were shy to seek treatment or talk to anyone.

The first thing that any women should know and realise is that breast cancer is another disease and as with any other disease the earlier it is detected the easier it is to handle. The most important person in this “ early detection” sequence is the woman herself. “ Self Breast Examination” is an easy,simple, quick, painless test that any woman can do at her convinience.

Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself.

Many a times the reason a woman does not want to do a SBE is because she feels so many things and feels confused. The more you examine your breasts, the more you will learn about them and the easier it will become for you to tell if something unusual has occurred.

Try to get in the habit of doing a breast self-examination once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel.

Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you are no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month.

Don't panic if you think you feel a lump. Most women have some lumps or lumpy areas in their breasts all the time. Eight out of ten breast lumps that are removed are benign, non-cancerous.

What's important is that you get to know the look and feel of YOUR breasts' various quadrants. Has anything changed? Bring to the attention of your doctor any changes in your breasts that last longer than you monthly period cycle or are getting bigger with time.

Studies show that regular breast self-exams, combined with an annual exam by a doctor, improves the chances of detecting cancer early.

How to do a Self Breast Examination?

I could also write about self breast examination but will only serve to increase the already 1,630,000 pages on breast examination which you get on doing a google search. I'd like to highlight a few pages one could visit to know more about it.

1.Cancer patients Aid Association(CPAA) which has a lot of information and free download brochure

http://www.cpaaindia.org/infocentre/bookreview_breast.htm

http://www.cpaaindia.org/infocentre/SelfBreastExamination.doc

2.DOCTOR NDTV which has an article on breast examination

http://www.doctorndtv.com/topicsh/Breast%20Self-Examination.asp

3.Breast Self Exam is another good site which will talk you through it

http://www.breastselfexam.ca/

4.The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has a online breast self examination module which is also available in Hindi

http://www.komen.org/intradoc-cgi/idc_cgi_isapi.dll?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=480

Here's hoping this can spur some if not all women to start making self breast examination a part of their routine and help create more awareness regarding the same.

My subsequent blogs are going to be dealing with some of the surgical options for breast cancer and more importantly I will be touching upon the options for breast reconstruction which is a topic many of the breast cancer patients are not aware of or do no even consider.

Dr.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com

Patient Speak -III ! " Breast Augmentation"

There isn't a single person in this world who can look into the mirror and go "Fantastic! I love the way I look! There isn't a thing I'd like to change".

We would all like to change one thing or another about our appearance. Say a smaller nose, bigger eyes, bigger breasts, flatter stomach and so the list goes on. However, not everyone is so troubled by their flawed appearance that they actually want to do something about it and change the way they look be it via simpler ways such as makeup and exercise or through slightly less common and more intimidating measures like cosmetic surgery.

Having undergone one such cosmetic procedure about six months ago, I guess I can say I was too troubled for comfort about a flaw I had perceived in my appearance....the size and shape of my breasts.

I have always been very conscious about my looks, I love to dress up and although one of the popular notions is that "Looks don't get you anywhere....they're superficial and not important....Beauty isn't skin-deep...blah....blah". I firmly believe that knowing she looks like a million bucks can do wonders to a woman's psyche, her confidence levels and self-esteem both in her personal as well as work life. The modern woman wants to look her best 24/7 and in today's world where everything has a price, if there's a way by which money can get you something that "god" and nature failed to gift you with, y not go ahead and get it? What's stopping anyone?

People say looks are insignificant...you're gonna get old...you are gonna loose your looks...they ain't gonna stay with you forever. But when you're young and looking good gives you a kick, if something as "insignificant" as a flaw in your appearance becomes a significant cause for your being unhappy and a safe solution is right under your nose, you would have to be of below average intelligence to ignore it.

In no way am I trying to justify letting your flawed looks bother you too much or going under the knife to change this and that, but I believe the bottom line is to live a happy life and if anything is a hindrance to that, but can be uprooted without hurting anyone, it should be done.

It was with a lot of apprehension that I went to meet Dr.Surindher for the very first time. I had never discussed my problem with anyone before and was anxious about several things such as letting someone see my flaws for real for the very first time, the pain involved in surgery, the cost of surgery, my family's reaction to this, etc.

However, Dr.Surindher was very professional and put me at ease very soon after I walked into his chamber. Before examining my breasts, he gave me an overview of the breast augmentation procedure explaining the different kinds of implants, the types of incisions, the expected results,the likely risks involved, common myths about the procedure, etc. I was fascinated by the amount of information he gave me. There was so much I hadn't known, although I had done some research myself about the procedure.I asked him a few questions about the surgery and what happens thereafter and got enlightening answers.

He then examined my breasts, made me try on some sample implants so that we could decide on the appropriate size for me. He also explained to me very clearly in what way the appearance of my breasts would change after implantation. One of the main problems with my breasts was that I had flatness on the upper side of my breasts as compared to the lower side where I was a little fuller. As a result, I've always had to wear slightly busty bra's to give me a fuller look. Dr.Surindher told me that implants would give me a good rise on the upper side of my breasts and also enhance the projection of my breasts to give me a fuller look. After a few trials, my asking some questions and stuff, we decided on a size and I was told I'd have to take up some routine tests before deciding to proceed with surgery. Dr.Surindher had also penned down details about the procedure so that I could review them and perhaps come back with more questions later.

Hence after a very satisfactory first visit, I made up my mind and decided to go ahead with the surgery. Just a few routine blood tests and I was back at the hospital where the physician declared me fit for surgery. Surprisingly, I was hardly nervous the morning I was to undergo surgery. I was thrilled actually 'coz I had never undergone surgery before and was curious about various things including anaesthesia. Once I was wheeled into the OT however, I was completely relaxed and the staff there were very cheerful and amicable and made it seem like I was there to have some fun.

Anaesthesia was hardly disturbing and when I came to after like I don't know how many hours, I was in hell. I don't know if it was just my extremely low threshold for pain or what but yes, I was hurting terribly. I was unable to move any part of my body. I was quite confused actually 'cos I had read women don't go through much pain and are up and about in like 48 hours after breast augmentation.

My breasts felt like lead and my back and arms were rendered immobile. It was sometime in the afternoon when I woke up from surgery and I knew I had to wait at least another couple of hours before I could see Dr.Surindher and ask him why I was in so much pain. I was given strong painkillers and sedatives for three days and while they did ease the pain a little, when the effects wore off after a few hours, I would get all impatient and desperate for relief once again. What bogged me down most was I was unable to leave my bed for almost four days after surgery despite Dr.Surindher constantly pushing me to get up, move my arms, take a walk, etc. I don't know if it was because this was my first surgical experience or due to my low tolerance for pain, I felt more agonized every time I was urged to move around. While I understood that constantly trying to move around would definitely ease the pain and make me more comfortable,it was simply too difficult.

I remember feeling like a school girl at one point of time when I started dreading Dr.Surindher's visits 'cause I knew he'd pull me up from bed and urge me to walk around and try moving my arms. He had begun to be more stern with me 'cause I was always refusing to leave my bed out of fear of pain. I think it was on the fourth day after surgery that I finally decided I couldn't do this alone and asked my mom to come over. She did and I don't know if it was the work of that magic wand all mothers have or what but I felt instantly better after she arrived and showed tremendous progress both physically and psychologically within 24 hours.

The next time Dr.Surindher came to visit me, he was very happy because I was up and walking around pretty effortlessly. I was immediately taken off the strong painkillers and was put on some mild tablets and antibiotics instead. On the fifth day,when I left the hospital,I hardly felt any pain,just a little tightness in my breasts. I had started wearing a supportive bra on the fourth day itself and that made me feel better.

Before I underwent surgery, Dr.Surindher had also explained to me what kind of bra's I should wear to ensure that my breasts are well supported. For a week after I was discharged, I stayed home, took some mild painkillers and antibiotics and kept myself as active as I could. By then I was pretty much able to indulge in my everyday activities and at the end of two weeks I felt well enough to travel by myself to visit Dr.Surindher again. This time, Dr.Surindher taught me how to massage my breasts regularly for the next 6 months and also gave me some creams to lighten the surgical scars under my breasts.

As for the way my breasts looked two weeks after surgery,the projection was certainly enhanced,my breasts were bigger and there was a good rise on the upper side of my breasts(not the flatness I had before) but since a pretty big implant had been fitted into me, my skin was all tented which gave my breasts more of a cone-shaped look rather than rounded fullness. However, Doctor told me that with regular massaging over the next 6 months the breasts will eventually fill up and take on a fuller look.

It has now been about 6 months since I underwent surgery and although I can't say I have been perfectly regular with my massages (twice everyday,mornings n evenings...it ain't easy :-) ), I have carefully followed Dr.Surindher's instructions and have been using the scar-lightening creams he gave me and have visited him for periodical examinations and the progress has been great. Like he said, within a couple of months after I began massaging, my breasts started losing their tented look and took on a rounder, fuller shape.The scars have become way lighter than they were before and will continue to fade over time is what I've been told.

The truth is I'm a much happier person today than I've ever been before. It has been a great relief to ditch the busty,uncomfortable bra's I used to wear before. The surgery and the entire process of healing and development had been a life-altering experience for me and the results were exhilarating. The way my body looks now has done wonders to my self-esteem and confidence levels and this has had a positive impact on both my professional and personal life.

Considering I had several apprehensions about undergoing the surgery and was in hell a lot of pain once i did, was it all worth the trouble??? Hell yeah!!

I'm sure Dr.Surindher can never really completely understand what a big difference this has made to my life. To me, this is the best decision I have ever made and if I had been able to do it sooner, I would have. I feel complete now and absolutely wonderful and one can't put a price on that!!

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Dr.Surindher : - I would like to thank KS for this write up to help other patient's understand the procedure and be of help to other people who might be considering such an option.

The reason I asked her to write about it because this is the patient's point of view. I might write and explain a lot but, when it comes from the patient herself, then the whole experience is different.

She has been a wonderful patient and has been very patient even with my firmness at time understanding that it was for her own good. So as always, I once again take the opportunity to thank all my patients and for her article, especially KS.

Read more about breast augmentation on my blog http://cosmesisindia.blogspot.com/2007/02/mammamia.html

Patient talk- II

Hi Doctor Surindher,

I have written a testimonial for the rhinoplasty procedure. I hope you publish this on your website so that others can benefit from it too :)

Regards,

P.

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I am very grateful to Dr Surindher and Dr. Shekhar for the change they have made to my appearance. My nose was hooked and too long for my face, and I wanted to get it corrected by means of cosmetic surgery.

After reading a lot on the internet about the procedure as well as patients' experiences, I decided to go forward with it. I mailed doctor Surindher about my problem and got a very prompt reply, after which we fixed an appointment to examine my nose. Subsequently, I underwent reduction rhinoplasty to correct the hump on my nose.

After the surgery, I had a plaster/splint on for about a week, after which it was removed and I must say, I was very satisfied with my new nose. I didn't experience any pain as such, because of the pain killers administered to me during the first 5-6 days.

It's been almost 4 months since I was operated on, and everyone compliments me about how perfect my nose looks on my face--and there are absolutely no marks left-over from the surgery.

If you're looking for a nose job too, my sincere advice is to have complete trust in your doctor and have patience to see the full result.

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NDTV " We the people" Experience

Hi all......



Sorry for the break!!!

Been busy sorting out a few things. But, I had a nice experience of being invited to the NDTV studios for a talk show hosted by our favourite show anchor " Barkha Dutt" !!!!

Yes I'm talking about the show " We the People"! Well, it was a nice experience, though rush rush and of course an eye opener in many ways to me. The topic was whether cosmetic surgery is becoming a dangerous trend and whether people are willing to undergo cosmetic surgery just to look good to conform to social " beauty preferences"!

I won't go into the things that people felt and said but yes there were a few things I thought I should highlight. I felt that there are a lot of misconceptions about the whole plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery issue as a whole.

1. One recurring theme that came out during the discussion was about " putting people into a mould" or like something that came out of an assembly line.

Firstly, I would like to refute the fact that we try to put people into moulds. Which mould are we talking about? Is there a mould at all? In fact this is what we try to emphasize that, the essence of cosmetic surgery is to bring about the necessary changes BUT preserving the attributes which make the individual the person he or she is...... which is the real challenge.

Also, what looks good on one person will not necessarily look good on another because every individual is different, so it can't be one size fits all. This is what makes it all the more challenging. So, the concept of having assembly line beauties will never happen.

Who wants to be similar to the rest... everyone is fighting to be unique .. don't you think?


2. The other thing that came up was that, we are forcing people to change .. which is an uncalled for statement. We are offering a service but not forcing anyone to come and undergo a procedure. One can't even force another to have coffee with them, let alone ask them to undergo surgery. Right???

So, it is basically people who have always thought about it or felt the need to have a certain feature corrected who come enquiring for options. And when they do, our job is to guide them.

Of course we talk to people who come with unreasonable demands asking for unnecessary things and I can speak for my fraternity when I say that most will refuse to do something which is not warranted or is potentially dangerous for the patient. This is the reason for such blogs and discussions, so that people are aware of what is good and what are the risks involved.

And as even the panelists said that day .. We are not asking people to change- if one is happy the way he/she is.... then one would NOT come asking for a change in the first place.

Ever so often in any party or get together that I go to, the Q that I'm most often asked when people get to know I'm a plastic surgeon is " What would u like to do on me?? or What should I get done? ".... and for all these questions there is only one answer.. " NOTHING".

We do no solicit patients.

3. Another thing which came up was, if it was such a good thing then why don't people come out into the open and "admit" they have undergone a cosmetic procedure.

I think there are quite a few who do. But since most of them get it done for their own satisfaction I don't think there is any need for them to advertise it openly. Like one of the patients said... " do you go out and tell people that you had waxing done?? " Similarly, where is the need to tell anyone that they had a cosmetic procedure done? A fair argument one would say.


4. Cyrus Sahukar, brought out a valid point that a beautiful face always elicits more responses. A child responds more positively to a beautiful face so who are we to fight something that is natural.

Everything in nature has a balance. When things are in balance there is equilibrium and harmony ensues from it. Hence the aim is to bring things into balance thereby paving the way for harmony.

5. Ms.Akhila, my co panelist brought out a point that not much is being done for people with leprosy and transsexuals who are in the hands of wrong people.

With due respect I would like to say that, many of my colleagues are performing free surgeries for leprosy patients in many of the leprosy missions. DO I do it?? No, I don't now!!! I Salute my colleagues doing the less glamorous tasks of our profession.

I'd like to bring out a point though. Though there are many centres doing such surgeries the sad part is people themselves do not want to go and get the corrections done.

A prime example is the the " SMILE TRAIN PROJECT " which I am a part of .. providing free surgeries to children with cleft lip and palate. We at our hospital along with Smile Train have provided free surgeries to around 1200 children suffering from cleft lip and palate, free of charge. BUT, at the same time there are two children at the traffic junction next to the hospital with the condition and we have not been able to get them in for surgery. the reason for this being.... if they get corrected then no one will give them alms...!!! THAT is the sad fact, which holds true for many poor leprosy patients too and yes I'm not generalising the statement. Just stating what we do come across.

As for surgeries for transsexuals and them being in the clutches of middle men and other's, it is a political and social issue. We can do the surgeries provided they come to us instead of going to quacks.


6. Another factor which was brought up was, the affordability factor. Yes it is not an essential procedure so it need not be done as an emergency . People can go for it as and when they are comfortable. And previously the cost factor was a major issue but nowadays as more and more people have come forward to take up the profession , the costs have come down.


7. Is it a dangerous trend?

Yes, like anything in this world it can get dangerous when people start getting strange ideas about what all can be done. Which is the reason I made the following statement on the show - " I DO NOT operate a patient after the first consultation itself."

I give them the risks involved, the possible complications and the expected results. By doing this, we are giving the chance to back off if they are not keen on it.

If a survey is done, I'm sure all doctors will tell you that there are many patients who are refused surgery because either they do no need it or their demands are unreasonable.

And, of course, its not a miracle solution to anything. We doctors, DO NOT claim any miracles like " loose 5 inches in 1 week"..." get fair glowing skin in 15 days ".. so on and so forth because, we best know that the body doesn't work that way.

Apart from surgery and drugs, proper care of diet, exercise and lifestyle changes are necessary to have a lasting effect.

Overall, it was a nice experience. All the panelists were brilliant. The audience was very co-operative though many said they wouldn't undergo a cosmetic procedure.

Lastly, but not the least... the crew and support staff of NDTV both in front of and behind the camera... were all awesome and very helpful. A few names I'd like to mention are - Vasudha, Neha, Lancy, Chitrita, Maya.... and of course our favourite TV host - Barkha Dutt.

It was a wonderful experience, though only the tip of the iceberg could be scraped because of lack of time. Hope we have more such similar shows which will help dispel myths about plastic and cosmetic surgery!!!!


Dr.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com

Whom to Meet ??? What to do next???

I think these are the most common questions that pop up in any one's mind when he or she is contemplating a bodily change.

Day in and day out we are bombarded with ads promising the earth, the sky and everything in between. Marketing is meant to sell a product and hence needs to highlight only the positives and hide the negatives of any product. So on we go checking “ it” out.

Guaranteed fairness , guaranteed inch loss, guaranteed weight loss, guaranteed hair growth, guaranteed this guaranteed that!!! Sounds familiar??? I'm sure it does.

I have nothing against these ads but as the saying goes... “ If its too good to be true.. most probably it isn't true !!!” Similarly promising guaranteed, results on a body where no two bodies are similar is “too good to be true”.

All this adds to the confusion already prevailing in one;s mind. So one might say, that then why do people go for it? I think it all is because of :

1. The basic fear people have regarding going under the knife, hospitals, doctors and all that.

2. That treatment has “ Guaranteed results”

3. We as doctors tell the limitations of the procedure and the possible complications which puts people off.

4. As doctors we cannot take short cuts, the basic work up and the whole procedure has to be done , which is another deterrent.

So just to put things into perspective, I thought of putting all the points one has to think about before going for a modification of one's body. Sort of like a “ DUMMIES guide to .......” Ill put it in three headings:

1. From a patients point what one should know

2. What and how to know about the procedure

3. What to look for in the treatment provider

What a patient should know:

Read about it in my blog link already posted here

http://cosmesisindia.blogspot.com/2007/01/whos-up-for-makeover.html

Know about your Procedure:

1. Once you know what you want to get done, read about the procedure.

2. You can find information about the procedure on the net by doing a search on any of the popular search engines. Google, Yahoo, Alta Vista, etc being a few of them

3. Read about all the options available for what you want to get done

4. Search for possible complications with regards to the procedure.

Educating your self about the options and the procedure will give you new insights into the procedure and will help you mentally prepare for them.

What to know about your treatment provider:

1. Read about your procedure and know who is qualified to such a procedure. You will find lots of people claiming to do certain procedures in certain center's.

2. Surgical procedures are done by plastic surgeons, only they are trained to do them and licensed by the Medical Council of India to perform them.

3. The Association of Plastic Surgeons of India ( APSI) is the the authority granting certification to all the plastic surgeons in India.( www.apsi.in)

4. Don't feel shy of asking your doctor about his certification and training. I have many of my patients asking me these questions. Patients coming from abroad make it a point to find out these details.

5. Talk to your surgeon in detail. Place in front of him all you fears and apprehensions. Most of your doubts will be cleared but don't get offended if they do no respond to some questions by giving you the worst possible scenario. It is done so you realize that all surgeries are serious matters .

6. Always beware a doctor who does not tell you the complications or tell you that there are no complications at all. Either, he hasn't done enough surgeries to see complications or he is lying about them.

7. Don't rush into a procedure. Always take your time to think about it after discussion with your doctor. I NEVER operate on a patient after one consultation. I always call them at least a second or third time before I operate on them. This is because I want them to be sure of what they are undergoing.

So keeping all these in mind, just to recapitulate:

1. Be clear about what you want.

2. Vague requests get vague results, if at all anyone operates on them.

3. Educate yourself about the procedure, who should do them, the various options and the possible complications.

4. As far as the body is concerned “ Guarantees don't work !!!” Every thing has its limitations and one has to work within those limitations to achieve the best results.

5. Know about the credentials of your doctor.

6. Surgical procedures have to be done in properly equipped Operating theaters and not in some “ clinic”, with care regarding sterility and safety equipment.

7. Please remember if a doctor is saying “NO “ to a procedure there must be a reason behind it. Ask him the reasons and trust his decisions. All doctors want to provide you with a good result and most will refuse a patient if they know what he or she expects is unrealistic.

8. Always follow orders with regards to quitting smoking , cleaning the wound, wearing garments, taking medicines and taking rest.

9. Remember you can rush yourself and the surgeon but you cannot rush your body to heal. It will take its own time.

10. Trust your doctor ,be sure to keep in touch with him and inform him of any problems you might be facing, instead of going to another doctor who doesn't know what exactly was done.

The aim of this blog is to help you make educated decision about the procedure , to educate you as to where to go to and what to do as a next step, once a decision to undergo a procedure has been taken. A well educated , motivated patient is a happy patient as he is fully aware of the consequences and the expected outcome.

Hence don't be afraid, go ahead, take the decision, but just make an educated decision which will be of a great help to you and to your doctor.

Dr.Surindher

www.cosmesisindia.com

Move over ladies... The Men R Here!!!!

Any reporter or journalist who has met me has invariably put this question to me....." do men get cosmetic surgery done too???"

Well, the answer to this is very simple.. " Yes!!!"

But hidden in that " yes" are a lot of other things. Men have been getting cosmetic surgery even in the past but the ration of women is to men undergoing the procedure was maybe 9 women to 1 man or less. But in the last few years there has been a sea change in the number of men who are exploring surgical options, with the ratio almost coming to about 5 women to 5 men. So hows that for equality?

With a change in attitudes in today's world , the classical image of a man rugged n unkempt has taken a beating. Women of today like their men well groomed, smelling good, with manicured hands as well as a close shave and of course they want their men to be fit too, hence emerges the " New METRO SEXUAL Male " of today.

So the man of today doesn't mind taking care of what he wears , how he dresses and how he looks. I can tell by my own experience, when 11 years back my sister suggested I get a facial before my marriage..Ii scoffed at the idea and threw a tantrum at her ,but recently when my dermatologist suggested I come in for a peel, Ii said yes... though haven't been able to get to it. But it surprised me as just as much as it did my sister when I told her this.

Skin, be it a man's or a woman's needs to be taken care of in the same way.. and more for the man because of repeated trauma daily in the form of shaving, traffic and being out, etc. Similarly as people are becoming more health conscious, so also there is a perceptible increase in consciousness about their " Body Image".

More and more men are coming in asking for solutions to a variety of problems. But each problem has its differences as to the approach to it in a male and in a female because of differences in the body composition . Hence this blog will just try and touch on different aspects of cosmetic surgery for men and the common sought out procedures.

1.Gynaecomastia: ( Male Breast)
A very common condition. Here there is a slight increase of tissue under the nipple areas on the chest. This usually starts in adolescence due to the pubertal hormonal changes and in many it persists into adult hood. This becomes very embarrassing when a person goes to the gym, swimming pool or in the locker room. This is one of the few conditions where we operate on teenagers too, when the condition warrants it. This has taken over the number one spot as the most commonly sought after procedure by men.
The treatment consists of liposuction of the fat with or without a gland removal. The excess skin has to shrink back, for which the patient is required to wear a custom made pressure garment to give him the best results. This is a procedure that definitely gives immense satisfaction to the patient as well as the plastic surgeon. But this is a surgery which can be very easily botched up also, so proper doctor selection is again important.

2.Rhinoplasty( Nose Job)
Till a few years back this was the most common surgery even in men. The procedure is the same as for women with a few basic differences, like the skin in males being more thick, nose tip surgeries have limited results as far as sharpness of tip is concerned, which is one of the commonest requests that we as surgeons get.
Read more about rhinoplasty at

http://cosmesisindia.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-hate-my-nose.html

3. Liposuction :
This is another procedure which is often asked for by men and women equally. The areas to be targeted being the famous " INDIAN PAUNCH" and the "LOVE HANDLE'S". Here fat is sucked out from the abdomen and flanks through small 1cm cuts, 2 or 3 of them, depending on the amount of fat that has to be sucked out and the areas to be targeted.
Post operatively the patient is required to wear a pressure garment vest for the next 3 months to help the skin shrink back and as also helping the swelling go down.


4. Scar Revisions:
"Scarface", was a rage once upon a time , though the movie is still a rage, a scarred face doesn't hold the same charm or intrigue it used to. So scar revision is another common procedure performed. But the problem here is that " Once a scar always a scar"!!!! The only way to correct a scar is by not having it in the first place. A scar can only be revised, reduced, camouflaged.. it can never be erased.
Depending on where and how many scars are present various procedures are done to help reduce the scars or camouflage them into normally present facial creases.

5. Problems with deep lines and wrinkles
Fillers ,BOTOX and CONTOUR threads are now equally becoming a part of a man's schedule as a females. Be it forehead wrinkles, laughter lines around the eyes, deep nasolobial creases all are being tackled with increasing frequency.

6. Hair Transplants :
Another area which is very unique to men and very common affliction with genetic and hormonal influences. Its a whole chapter in itself and just enough to mention here that its a time consuming process and needs a very motivated patient to be able to go through with the procedure and wait for the hair to grow to the necessary length and also go in for second sittings as and when required.
Nowadays, follicular hair transplants are being done where a strip of skin from the back of the head is taken out and from it single hair follicular units are dissected out and transplanted into the bald areas.

Apart from these common operations, other procedure performed for males in varying frequencies are chin and malar implants, jaw reshaping, dermabrasions, calf augmentation , lip reductions, penile lengthening, etc.

So to wrap it up, cosmetic surgery for men is on the rise and is here to stay. But as mentioned earlier properly motivated patient with valid reasons to have a surgery will have the best effort to satisfaction ratio.

So men don't need to be ashamed of attempting to look good. You are not the first one taking the decision to undergo a cosmetic procedure and believe me you wont be the last. But educate yourself properly as to what can be done safely and who is qualified to do it.

Along with proper diet, nutrition , exercise, grooming and clothes, a cosmetic procedure will definitely help in improving one's own body image , helping you feel good about yourself when you look in the mirror or wear that tight t shirt when u go to the gym to work out.


Dr.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com

FREE Cosmetic Surgery Consultations for Women

Cosmesisindia proudly wishes to announce


FREE Cosmetic Consultations for Women


on the occasion of " World Woman's Day"

I. On 4th March Sunday 10 AM - 1 PM

Venue : The Bangalore Hospital, 202 R.V.Road, Bangalore, 4

Contact: 41187628 for registration and details

II. On 11th March Sunday 10 AM - 1PM

Venue : The Apollo Clinic, 51. Jyothi Nivas College Road, 5th Block Koramangala, Bangalore -95

Contact:25633833 for registration and details.



Dr.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com

Body Piercing and Body art !!!!

BODY PIERCING

" Doc, I got my belly button pierced at C. Street and now its got infected, I'm afraid!"

" Doc , I got my ear pierced at my local jeweller, now its paining and scar is growing!"

Very common complaints that one sees in consultation room's. Is it avoidable? Is it necessary? Is it just a fad that youngster's get into? Well, not really..!

Body piercing has been in vogue in our culture from times immemorial. So also the case in many other civilizations across the ancient world as a way of beautifying the body.

But now it has moved to a different level with people becoming more adventurous and wanting to make a statement. It may be done alone as in most of the cases or in some cases as a part of a whole body modification process which is the other extreme.

Piercings can be done in different areas of the body depending on the personal preferences. The most common in INDIA being the ears, nose and navel. The more adventurous go onto to the lips, cheeks, eyebrows and even genitals.

Though a very simple procedure in terms if it being done, there are lots of things that can go wrong if not done properly by properly trained professionals. It has to be done by people well versed with the anatomy of the part, versed with sterility techniques and after care.

From the point of view of the person undergoing the piercing, some points to remember.

Know what you want , understand the healing time for the piercing, take care of it as advised, don't neglect any problems that you might have with it and don't remove or change the jewelry until it has completely healed.

Healing time after a body piercing varies according to the pierced area. Ranges from 6-8 weeks in the ear or eyebrow to a year in the navel and ear cartilage. In this too, there is the initial healing phase which lasts for a week or so where the body forms a lining to cover the raw area, but it takes the specified amount of time for it to heal completely. This healing period will be explained by the surgeon performing the procedure.

Though it is a simple procedure certain problems can occur, which should be kept in mind before undergoing the procedure. The common ones being infection ,non healing and Keloids. Care should be taken to have it done from properly trained personnel to prevent infection. Secondly till the healing is complete do not change over to normal jewelry.

Keloids are scar tissue that continues to form even after the healing process and some areas and some people are very prone to form keloids. As of now there is no effective way to cure Keloids, they can only be controlled.

Points to remember :

1. Read about the procedure and assure yourself that you want it. Remember that once done it's going to be there for life if not the jewelry, at least the scar.

2. Always go to a qualified professional or a surgeon. Most importantly if the centre looks unhealthy or dirty ...Walk right out.

3. Allow the piercing to heal properly before you change the ornament.

4. Clean the piercing regularly as advised and don't neglect any signs of infection or pus

5. "Spin" the ornament (turning the jewelry to allow the ointment to reach all areas of the piercing) as advised regularly.

6. Look for jewelry where the gems are mechanically set into the metal rather than glued. Glued jewelry cannot be sterilised

Remember you can rush yourself and the surgeon but you cannot rush your body to heal! So, give it proper time according to the area.

Daily Care Routine

· Do not touch your piercing unless you are cleaning it.

· While healing, your piercing will need to be cleaned once daily.

· Cleaning more often than this will harm your piercing.

· You will need to use an antibacterial soap (e.g. Dettol Liquid Soap).

1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and wet the piercing with luke warm water.

2. Put a few drops of antibacterial soap on the piercing and work them into a lather with a cotton bud(ear bud).

3. Try to loosen any crusted discharge and tease it off the jewelry and your skin with the cotton bud.

4. Leave the antibacterial soap on the piercing for a few minutes while moving the jewelry back and forth( spin), allowing the disinfectant to penetrate the piercing.

5. Rinse with water and air dry thoroughly. Do not dry with a towel, which may get entangled and pull on the jewelry and may also carry bacteria.

So the best way to have a beautiful body accessory is to be educated about the procedure, knowing what you want, taking care to get it done by qualified professionals, using proper medical grade jewelry and not neglecting any problems that may arise.

By keeping in mind all the necessary points in mind you will be able to make that statement, look sexy, look different and at the same time keeping your body safe.

Dr.D.S.A.Surindher
http://www.cosmesisindia.com/

Mamma...mia.!!!!

Since times immemorial breasts have always held the fascination of mankind irrespective of the age. And the fact is just as true today as it was many years ago. But the only thing that has changed is the fact that women themselves also are starting to take notice of them. So let us examine and learn a few things about breast augmentation or as it is fondly called " A boob Job!"

Who undergoes a breast augmentation….?. Is it the celebrities or routine people?? What drives them to get the operation? Do they understand the risks involved and about the procedure???

For the first question the answer is no! It is not only the celebrities, but routine people, the housewife, the teacher, the software engineer, the doctor… people from all walks of life who undergo the procedure.

What drives them to get the procedure done?? Well a few have pathological problems in the chest area and hence have to go in for an augmentation. But, majority of the women undergo the procedure because either the volume was less to start off with or decreased with age and multiple pregnancies or sudden weight loss.

What drives them is the fact that breasts are a sign of femininity and these women feel that the decreased volume of the breasts affects the way they see themselves.

First of all let us understand some facts regarding breasts :
1. Breast size is variable in people and there is no fixed size which is the norm. Several deciding factors like the amount of breast tissue, heredity, how fat the person is and the fact that whether the person has been pregnant before all contribute to breast size. And of course age is a contributing factor as always

2.There is nothing like a perfect breasts.Usually perky breasts without a sag and nipples pointing forwards and a little laterally are acceptable as the norm but they vary with the size. Small perky breasts look good if the person is thin but not on a well built female. So its all about proportion.

3. 99.9% women have asymmetrical breasts the left usually being larger than the right. The nipples may be erect, flat, inverted, the areola may be large or small, with or without few hairs growing long, or the areola may be bumpy all of which are normal.

Regarding understanding the procedure and the risks involved, I’m sad to say that though most of the patients are educated women, hardly 10% of them really know about the procedure and the risks involved.

Broadly there are two categories of women undergoing the procedure. The first category or age group is the young women who are in their 20's who want to increase their bust size because they have underdeveloped breasts.

The second category or age group of patients are those in their 30's who are usually mother's who have finished with their families and now have their children off to school and have done with their responsibilities and want to get back into shape and feel they way they used to maybe 10 years and two children back. This section of patients has seen a steady increase and I'm sure we are going to see more of them. But in this group many a times they might require certain ancillary procedure along with a breast augmentation which is usually a breast lift or a areola reduction or the such.

Breast augmentation surgery was first performed in 1962 by a Texas plastic surgeon who used silicone breast implants to enhance the size of a woman’s breasts. 1997 HBO film "Breastmen" starring David Schwimmer and Chris Cooper shows a cinematic representation of the introduction of the concept of the breast implant to increase breast sizes and the early days of breast augmentation surgery and its pitfalls. Breast augmentation surgery has come a long way since then with lots of advancements in the type of implants and techniques, though the basic methods remain the same.

A common fear amongst women is the fear of cancer with implants. This is totally unfounded as per research done by various medical fraternities. Recently even in the US, the FDA has cleared the use of Silicone Gel implants. Otherwise, silicone gel implants are used widely all over Europe, South America, and Asia, though saline implants are also equally in vogue though more in North America..

Implants are commonly filled with saline or silicone gel. Both implant types have advantages and disadvantages. The saline implants are silicon bags into which saline is injected to fill it up. The advantage of this is that smaller incisions to place the implant can be used and the sizes can be increased or decreased in case of volumetric discrepancies between the right and the left breasts. But the disadvantage is that some of the saline may leak over a period of many years and the implant may have to be replaced.
The silicone gel implants are permanent as they do no deflate. But they require a larger incision size. They have a natural feel and the new highly cohesive gel implants do not leak even if they are punctured or cut. The choice of the implant is usually left to the patient.

The implant can be inserted in three ways either through the armpit or through a cut below the breast or through a cut around the nipple/areola. The approach is determined by the size of the implant and the individual patient. Recently the so called “Scar less Breast Augmentation” has been in demand also known as the “TUBA” Here a saline filled implant is inserted through the belly button and hence the scar is hidden giving it the name scar less.

The implant can either be placed in front of the muscle of the chest wall, “Sub glandular” or behind the muscle, “Sub muscular”. Placement of the breast implant under (behind) the pectoralis muscle is preferred in women with anatomically less breast tissue since the results are more aesthetic. Placement behind the muscle does not stop you from using those muscles, though body builders and weight lifters tend to prefer placement over the muscle.
Placement under the muscle allows for a more natural look and feel than placement over the muscle. Also, the incidence of capsular contracture is decreased with this placement. Placement behind the muscle allows easier breast self-examination and improved images with mammography when compared to placement in front of the muscle, all this because it is far away from the normal breast tissue.

The common problems after a breast augmentation surgery are mild pain and discomfort after the procedure. This is a little more in the sub muscular placement of the implant. Scar maybe a problem if you have an incision below the breast which will be seen in the initially but fades over a period of time. You might be required to do some regular massages for the next 6 months which your surgeon will explain after the surgery.

The most common cause of dissatisfaction amongst women undergoing the procedure worldwide has been the size of the implant with most women feeling that they should have gone in for a bigger implant. The cause for this is that initially because of the swelling the size looks more and as the swelling settles down the size feels a little smaller . But the size has to be determined by the amount of tissue she has, the incision , the type of implant.

In the end one has to realize that the final decisions are taken after a proper consultation and examination. Also the fact that, all surgeries have their associated risks and complications, which every surgeon operating on you will surely address.

This article was aimed at educating women about the procedure of breast augmentation, allay few fears and misconceptions and to help them make educated decisions regarding the same.

Dr.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com
#Note: This article is the sole property of cosmesisindia.com and Dr.Surindher. No part may be reproduced in complete or in part without permission from Dr.Surindher.

I Hate my Nose..!!!!!!!!

RHINOPLASTY :
“I don’t like my nose!!!!”
How many times have we heard that statement by people around us?
“My nose is too big / small!!”
“Because of my nose deformity I feel that I’m not able to perform well at work…!!!”
“People make fun of me, because of my nose!!!”
These are a few of the remarks with which patients come to us. If we ask 100 people 95 % will say that they are not satisfied with their noses. But not everyone is so dissatisfied, that they come seeking correction.
For the ones who come for correction a few things we have to think about. Are they really so dissatisfied with their noses?? Will a correction help them?? Will they be satisfied with the new nose?? Will it be acceptable??
Rhinoplasty is one of the most common operations performed by cosmetic surgeons. This procedure is designed to improve the appearance of the nose & involves any or all of the following procedures:
 Reduction of forward projection of the nose
 Removal of humps
 Correction of deviation of the nose and the septum
 Narrowing of the bridge of the nose
 Narrowing the tip
 Reduction of nostril size
 Correction of depressed nose
Rhinoplasty in most cases involves modifying the underlying skeleton (bones and cartilage) to produce the necessary changes. The aim is to bring the nose in balance with the rest of the face. The nose has to be seen as part of the face rather than as a single entity alone.
No single nose can be an ideal nose! A nose which looks beautiful one person will not necessarily look good on another person. Attempts are made to keep the nose in conformity with the rest of the face, keeping in mind the necessary specific changes which the patient came to us for.
Many patients feel that the change in shape will be so much that it might be the subject of discussion amongst family & friends. But, in reality neither the patient nor the patient’s relatives or friends really remember the original shape of the nose a few weeks after surgery.
The incisions for rhinoplasty are usually made inside the nose. The nasal skin is lifted away from the cartilage & bones. Then the necessary modifications to the skeleton (bones and cartilages) are made. The excess skin re drapes itself onto the new framework over a period of time.
The procedure of rhinoplasty involves very minor changes in the region of millimeters, but the overall effect is of a balanced nose as with respect to the shape and size. Also the final result of the procedure is evident only after 3 months when all the swelling abates and the skin is well draped over the new framework. This is the normal healing period.
The final results depend on the initial deformity, the healing capacity of the person and most importantly the skin type. People having thin skin have the best results as the results are better seen through thin skin. Hence females have better results as compared to males and westerners have better results as compared to most of our patients.
In some cases the bridge of the nose is depressed whereas the rest of the nose is apparently normal. In such cases an augmentation rhinoplasty is performed. Augmentation is done by inserting either cartilage from the nose / ear or bone from the rib / hip or silicone implants. Each of the materials which are inserted, have their pro’s and cons which the surgeon will advise you about when you go in for the surgery.
In others the whole nose is bulky where a reduction rhinoplasty is performed which will involve reduction of all the structures of the nose.
As the face has to be viewed as a whole unit and the nose not being seen separately, sometimes it is seen that the chin is disproportionate making the face seem unbalanced. In such cases chin enlargement or reduction might be needed, which can be performed simultaneously to enhance the facial balance.
Another aspect of rhinoplasty that has to be touched upon is the fact that so many people blame the nose for their lack of progress in work or life in general. The nose cannot be seen separately it is a part of the person and hence it alone cannot be the cause for any problems in life for the patient. Because it is the first thing that anybody sees as he or she wakes up in the morning, it’s the first to be blamed. In such cases a rhinoplasty might not solve the inherent problems and may not help in other aspects of a person’s life.
Dr.D.S.A.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com
#Note: This article is the sole property of cosmesisindia.com and Dr.Surindher. No part may be reproduced in complete or in part without permission from Dr.Surindher.

Take care of ur skin.!!!!!

SkinCare
Skin is the largest organ of the body, it forms the protective covering over our body and bears the brunt of all that we do and all that we consume. So, care of this protective covering is as essential as taking care of your cholesterol or your blood pressure though the ill effects of not doing so, are not fatal.

The condition of the skin also reflects about the general health of a person. When a person is happy and healthy you find people commenting on how glowing they look and similarly a person who is sick, they can be seen to have dry dull lifeless skin.

Basically, there is not much that it asks you to do for it and most of the time it looks after itself. Even in the ancient times all major civilizations have had their own methods of skin care, which have been written down in their texts. But going down to it, the basics have always remained the same.

But firstly we have to understand the different skin types. Normal skin is clear, soft, supple, uniformly textured & pigmented, neither too oily nor too dry. Normal skin is not too sensitive to climate, cosmetics or the body’s own internal environmentDry skin is dull, feels tight on washing, even with the mildest of soaps flakes, scales and chaps easily. Oily Skin feels relaxed and supple,but thicker,looks shiny and is much more prone to outbreaks of spots. Mature Skin is leathery and has wrinkles and folds, loss of elasticity.

Understanding the factors which damage or affect the skin will go a long way in understanding the care which has to be taken.

External factors most important of which is the sun, which causes photodamage to the skin because of UV rays and the next being pollution and dust. Apart from these, are air conditioning which causes dehydration of the skin, smoking , stress, late hours, etc all of which harm the skin.
Internal factors like diet which forms the major form of insult, not enough intake of water, minerals, vitamins and taking too much of junk food and alcohol. All these damage the skin or inhibit its reparative capacity, hence there is no time for the skin to recover from one insult before another is added.

Skin care can be divided into generalized care and then local care.

Generalized care- being in the form of eating healthy, drinking plenty of water at least 3 liters a day, eating plenty of green vegetables and fresh fruits, which have antioxidants. Avoiding smoking goes a long way in getting healthy skin because, apart from the fact that smoke harms the skin it also produces constriction of small blood vessels in the skin. Vitamin C is very good for the skin as it is important for regeneration as well as the fact that it is the most natural sun block one can get which acts from within the body.

Local care- basically consists of cleansing, toning and moisturizing.

Cleansing and toning - Wash the face with a mild unperfumed soap, lather briefly and rinse thoroughly. Because soap is an alkaline substance, washing will temporarily raise the ph of the skin, which is normally slightly acidic . Most skins have an inbuilt ability to readjust the balance within 20 minutes of washing, though sensitive skin types take longer. If the skin is oily, citrus based toning lotions or astringent can be used after cleansing.
If the skin feels dry and tight after washing, try using a super fatted soap that incorporates emollients such as lanolin or mineral oil into the soap base. Other causes of dryness are over washing, incomplete rinsing, hard water (calcium and magnesium salts in the water combine with the soap to form a drying scum on the skin) or sensitivity. In case of very dry skin try a cream cleanser.

Moisturizing - Moisturizing cream is used for dry skin and lotion for oily skin. All moisturizers can be made to work more effectively by dampening the skin first

The use of exfoliating agents to peel the epidermis & superficial dermis dates back to ancient Egypt. Sour milk baths were used by ancient Egyptians to soothe the skin. This helps by removing the dead cells which are clogging the new skin giving you a new glow to the skin. It can be either mechanical or using various agents commercially available in the market. This need not be done everyday.

Sun Protection- Dark skinned people have natural pigment which acts as protection but even then sun block will help prevent damage to the skin as has been proven by studies. Sun block or sunscreen with an SPF(sun protection factor) 20 to 30 should be used, unless you are planning to go to the beach or swimming when a higher SPF would be useful. The sun screen should be ideally applied at least 15 minutes before one goes out into the sun and should be reapplied every 3 hours.

Some people might say that they are in cold climates or if cloud cover is present, you don't need sun protection. the statement is False, UV damage can occur even other wise and reflected sunlight is enough to cause damage so using sun screen will go a long way in protecting your skin.

Taking care of your skin will go a long way in keeping it healthy and preventing the inevitable signs of aging from creeping in on you suddenly. Yes, turning back the clock or rather keeping it at the same hour for a longer time is possible to a certain extent naturally, by some simple measures.

So take that few minutes out from your daily routine and pamper the largest organ of your body.

Patient Talk- Post 1- Tummy Tuck

This was a feed back I got from a very sweet patient of mine. SO i thought I had to share with you all. And she even offered to talk to anyone who is contemplating a surgery.

I thank her for her kind comments. SO here goes.....She call's it...

Absolving the Ab

All my life, I had always been careful and particular about my appearance, though only to the point of looking well-groomed and neat. My self-esteem needed that and so did the job I was doing.

After my son was born, for ten years now, every morning, when I looked in to my wardrobe trying to decide what to wear to work, I would get in to a fit of depression. None of my favourite blouses fit well any more, my favourite trousers wouldn’t hide that bulge any longer. I am not fat as in fat, I was alright from the front but I hated my silhouette from the side as there was no hiding that tummy, the big fold of skin in the lower abdomen that no tights or body shapers could flatten. I would settle for clothes which were made of thicker firmer material, 2 sizes larger than what I should actually wear, desperately trying to hide the ab’s abnormalities.

I have been in to exercising for as long as I can remember, inconsistently yes, but enough to realize that no amount of crunching had any effect on those bulges. That’s when I read about abdominoplasty.

As the days went past, and fitness caught on as a raging fire in India, I saw more and more folks my age around me, doing things to get fitter and look better. I felt more compelled to do some thing and soon. Every time there was a milestone in my life, I would say this is the time to do it.

But then fear of pain from past surgeries (have gone through 2 earlier) and lack of enough awareness about these options, would scare me away. I would put it off.

Another reason I was putting it off each time, was because I was misguided in to thinking that I would need to take 4-6 weeks off to do this. Given my current commitments, there was no way I could afford to take this much time off for something that wasn’t mandatory.
So came another of that milestone thing and here I was reconsidering surgery. I said I would at least ask around and gather information afresh. That’s when I chanced upon the website of “Cosmesis India( www.cosmesisindia.com)” – a group of doctors in India, with a presence in Bangalore who were in to cosmetic and plastic surgery.

I decided to go for a consultation – a single consultation wouldn’t harm, would it? So I was talking to Dr. Surindher and I went to meet him. He confirmed the same inference – only surgery could get rid of that skin fold. When I asked him the benefits of this non-compulsory procedure, all he said was that his earlier patients came back and told him that they can now look at themselves in the mirror without hating themselves. He also said I would recover in 1 week – I could go back to normal routine in a few days as opposed to the 4-6 weeks I had heard earlier.

So this is quite feasible, isn’t it ? – I began thinking. The more I talked to the doctor, the more convinced I was that I wanted to do it now and with this institution.

I was very apprehensive about the whole procedure, knowing fully well what a surgery entails having been through 2 earlier. I knew I wanted to do it – been wanting to for years now. After talking to the doctor, I was quite convinced now that they only way to get rid of the ugly bump in my lower ab was through this surgery, but garnering courage to face it was quite a feat.

I must thank the doctors(anaesthetist included) for trying to put me at ease. They assured I will be covered by pain killers for the first few days. I am terrified of pain, so no matter what they said, I WAS terrified.

But somewhere at the back of mind, based on the diagnosis and explanation of the doctor, I knew I had to go through it. So I mustered courage and prepared to face it. Having thus made up my mind, I tried not think anymore about the decision…I did not let anyone talk me out of it.

I went through the pre-op motions like an automaton – trying not to let my mind think..blanking out completely. Actually on the operating table as I waited to get in to the OT proper..I shut my mind, closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep until a nurse woke me up.

Then I was asked to pose for “Before” pictures, I wish I could have seen my own dead-pan face at that time..pity the doctor took pictures of my ab only.

During my previous surgeries, I had tried to fight the anaesthesia…but of course nobody wins the fight, just that it takes longer to settle down in to that deep sleep and I used to come around out of it in quite a troubled way.. So this time, I just decided to give in to it quietly and calmly.
But I do know I was breathing hard out of tension, again both the Surgeon and the Anaesthetist tried to relax me. The Anaesthetist, true to his word, fixed the IV with little pain and then gave me heads up that he was going to give me anaesthesia. I then just closed my eyes and let myself fall asleep. And I did, real real quick.

When I came around, it was trouble less and peaceful this time. I looked around, strange surroundings, I knew I was in the post operative ward. I asked the nurses for the time, they said 3.00 p.m. and I was like..Wow…I remember only up to about 10.30 a.m. I kept feeling thirsty and wanted to keep sipping some water.

Not much of pain, just a weird feeling lingered. Then, they wanted to shift me to my room. This was quite a job and since they moved and jostled me a little bit, it hurt.

Then I was back in my room, but kept drifting in and out of sleep. Did not feel nauseous until the doc asked me if I was..then I did. Retched and puked a few times – this hurt too. The doc said that he thought I must have been cursing him. Truth is, I wasn’t cursing him, but the agony of it all had begun to catch up with me, and I was beginning to curse myself for the decision to get this surgery done.

Can I forget the mother of all surgical agonies ? The IV drip and the endless bottles the nurses keep changing ? Needless to add, the thrombosis and the coldness in the arm. I couldn’t sleep at all, kept looking at the fluid go drip drip drip into my other arm (cause the previous one had already bulged). My thoughts on whether all this was really worth it, began to strengthen. I begged the nurse to not add another bottle, but she wouldn’t give in. She finally did, at about 3 a.m., only after which, I fell asleep.

Second day – I woke up to a good cup of coffee. The nurse promptly came back and started the drip again. Legs and whole ab area felt like dead wood. I noticed there were two blood drain pumps on either side of me and one end of each… long tubes..were inside my ab!!! Yes, really inside. The nurses came frequently to clear the blood that collected in these pumps. Wasn’t a pleasant sight for sure.

And you know what was more frightening than the sight of those pumps ? The thought that they had to come out sometime and surely that wasn't going to be painless. Then another doctor came- I did not know what he was up to, but he was trying to get me to sit up. Sit up, can you imagine that on the very next day ? – he explained that it was necessary to move to ensure the seeping blood does not clot. But I just couldn’t, was feeling so tired and faint, not to mention the pain. It was such a big effort, thought I will just pass out. After a lot of hard work, I was finally on my feet, but then I couldn’t walk !! Fear..nothing else, the doctor assured me. He helped me sit in a chair, wasn’t too bad once I sat down, just a very tired feeling. So that was my first attempt at getting out of bed post surgery. Of course, I got back in to bed with some difficulty(nurses again helped me a lot here), vowing never to get up again !!

But no, come evening, and the doctor had a mind of his own !!! He promptly came and made me get up again, this time made me walk a bit too. Not too bad again. Slept peacefully that night because I had succeeded in cajoling them in to removing the IV drip even though I could still see a couple of bottles remaining on the table. To top it, he made me put on a tight garment on the abdomen as if the existing agony there wasn’t enough. He said that was important to keep the swelling in check. Yeah ok..whatever !!

Day three – so far so good. My worst fears were going to come true…the doctor came by again – this time with an agenda to remove those tubes stuck inside me. I was hoping he wasn’t serious but he was. He wouldn’t give me local anaesthesia, said it won’t pain much. It did – to be honest – not much though. But like I had been reassured, I was indeed feeling less constrained now and bolder to sit up, walk about a little more.

That night, I couldn’t sleep – was this all worth it ?? That question kept coming back to me.

Day four, woke up to renewed energy, got up, freshened up and was cleaning the room. Yes, cleaning the room myself, putting things in proper places. The Doctor walked in on me, he said he was happy to see me up and about. I forced a smile on my face.

He said I could go home.
So again, I went through the process of getting discharged like an automaton. Reached home – climbing 2 flights of stairs – was in deep pain.

Physically, I was a lot more comfortable now. And I actually began realizing that the tight pressure garment that the doctor gave me, was indeed helpful in feeling more secure about the tummy whenever I moved.

The medicines I was asked to take, covered most of the pain unless of course I was delaying the next dose. There was intense burning under the skin of my stomach some times. There was also the feeling of lots of creepy crawlies playing under the skin – this was something the doc had warned me about. If not for his warning, I would have surely been petrified by that feeling – since its truly weird and something one wouldn’t have experienced earlier.

A few more days passed. Each day, I was visibly feeling better physically. I was moving around more and more. But what about my mental state ? Still confused, as I was feeling like there is a big block of dead wood tied to my stomach. A few folks who visited me did say I looked like I had lost weight – that did not help much. Also, the next event – Suture removal, was on the top of my mind now. I had had a bad experience (appendicectomy) – a very painful suture removal it was. I now couldn’t think of anything else.

I talked to the doctor about it and he suggested I apply a local anaesthetic cream before going for it. So, I did that and went to see him..gingerly…tensed. But just as he said, it wasn’t bad at all. Only thing was, he revealed then, that there is an inside layer of sutures that he would remove a few days later. My heart sank again (how do you apply local anaesthetic cream for internal sutures ??)

So one week had now passed, I was back to doing my usual stuff at home but did not feel good enough to go to work – so I decided to take that week off too. Stayed at home, relaxed, read, ate, slept – blissful existence, coming to think of it. But wait, what about my mental state again ?

That was worse, none of my clothes fit – I was so miserable. Here I was thinking I would be trim again and may have to buy smaller sized trousers, etc – and none of my existing clothes fitted..they were actually tight !!! I cant explain in words, how disappointed I was. So was all this effort just to come to this point ???

I asked the doctor this, he said, it’s the swelling, which will subside soon and I shouldn’t worry. But to us women, unless we actually can get in to those sizes we want to and zip up easily, no amount of anyone else telling helps. I tried not to be miserable, kept trying to hope based on what the doctor said.

New years eve came, decided to get out of this place as I badly needed the change, the doctor said it was ok to travel short distances if I were flying. I did get a change from the miserable disappointing feeling I was having though I still couldn’t sit up or move around for too long without having to lie down flat on my back at regular intervals.

Second week was over too, had to go back to work – also had to remove those internal sutures. Again, I applied the local anaesthetic cream and went to see the doctor on my way to work that morning. Yes, it did hurt a bit more burning than pain though. Subsided quickly and I went to work.

So I went to work wearing my loosest pair of jeans – others still did not fit. Everyone I met remarked that I looked trimmer. But remember that supreme validation that only clothes can give to women ??? I wasn’t convinced still.

The first few days at work were trying. With every passing day, it improved dramatically. By the end of the third week, I was feeling almost normal. Buoyed by this feeling of normalcy, I began trying my other old clothes again. Voila, more were fiiting me now and better than before !!! This edged me on and I mustered enough curiosity to try the acid test – my sheer georgette saree – which I had long given up wearing since georgette has no mercy on unwanted bumps. I actually wore the saree, looked at myself in the mirror – and…and…. I couldn’t believe my eyes !!! It was so nice, my stomach and the whole mid-section looked so neat, due to which the saree draped so well !!! Cry, I did… I wish I could have danced too at that moment. So was this really true ? Had I gotten my contour back after more than 10 years ???? I kept rechecking to confirm. I was thrilled !!

I hadn’t felt that happy in a long time. Believe me, it does wonders to one’s self-confidence. The first person I shared this with was my doctor, without whose firm and gentle support, I couldn’t have gotten to this point at all – I would have chickened out some time earlier and continued to be truly miserable about my tummy for ever.

The fourth week has just ended – a very significant month has flown past !!! I did go and buy a pair of smaller size trousers and a blouse last evening !! And when I try them on now, I cant help spiraling around and preening in front of the mirror. I looked trimmer, firmer and shapelier – therefore younger.

The most impacting comment I got – my father remarking that he felt I was now looking more like his young daughter’s image that was imprinted in his mind (an image that had frozen a few years back for him). Did I need more validation ???

It was worth it after all !! Well and truly worth every moment of it !!

I feel on top of the world !!! Something has changed for me this year...can you guess what ???

Dr. Surindher, Cosmesis India and Bangalore Hospital, Cant thank you folks enough !!!!
I wish more and more women will come forward to help themselves. We are worth it !!

aashu

aashuthegreat@hotmail.com