Cosmetic Gyneacology - A new concept???

Hi all.....

Today, I'm gonna be talking about a relatively new topic ( at least in the general public's mind) especially in the Indian scenario. I have been getting many queries and emails regarding this, but the common factor in all those being the fact that very little is know about it and there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the same.

The topic is “Cosmetic Gynaecology”.

Though the procedures that come under this heading have been performed for quite a few years now, the term seems to be recently coined. It basically involves correcting cosmetic problems related to the female genitalia. The procedures which come under this are:

1. Labioplasty ( Reducing size of the lips)

2. Hymenoplasty

3. Vaginoplasty or Vaginal Rejuvenation ( Tightening of the vagina)

4. G spot amplification

These procedures can be done together or separately or in various combinations depending on the need of the patient. Sometimes certain other urological or gynaecological procedures maybe be combined if there is a associated medical problem.

Let us briefly discuss each of these procedures separately.

1.Labioplasty:

This refers to the procedure by which the labia ( lips) minora most commonly or sometimes both the majora and minora are reduced surgically if they are too long. Many women are bothered about it as they know how it was and they feel it is not the same as time progresses and they feel uncomfortable about it. In normal course the labia minora are smaller and hidden within the labia majora as in the younger age groups. So, this is an attempt to bring it back to the way it was.

It is a relatively simple procedure which can be done under local anaesthesia or regional anaesthesia and the patient can go home the same day.

Some times this maybe be accompanied by fat grafting of the labia majora to increase their volume & give them a more youthful look.

2.Hymenoplasty:

This refers to a procedure of recreating the Hymen. Also called "Revirginization".

Not very commonly a part of the combination of procedures. It involves recreating the thin layer of skin at the vaginal opening to give it an impression of being virginal. Though the fact remains that the hymen can rupture because of many reason other than intercourse. But it is done more for personal and religious beliefs than for medical reasons.

The procedure involves recreating the hymen with the help of tissues in and around the vagina. It is a relatively simple procedure and the patient can go home the same day. The stitches dissolve on their own in a week or 10 days.

3.Vaginoplasty or Vaginal Rejuvenation:

Classically vaginoplasty refers to recreating the vagina in patients with a congenital absence. But here in context of cosmetic gynaecology, it refers to tightening the vagina. Because of child birth and repeated intercourse and lack of exercise the pelvic muscles surrounding the vagina become loose. This may sometimes cause problems during intercourse because of the lack of proper grip for both the partners.

Vaginal tightening can be done with the help of LASER's where the light from the LASER tighten's the mucosa and some part of the underlying muscle. This is a good option if the patient has a decent muscle tone. The other procedure is to surgically tighten the muscles outside the vagina. The procedure is done from within the vagina and the stitches dissolve on their own. The patient can go home the same day or the day after.

This is usually combined with a labioplasty and fat grafting of the labia. The patient can resume normal sexual activity in three to four weeks time. There is an increase in sensations and pleasure during intercourse for both partners.

There are some pelvic exercises which all women can do to naturally tighten their pelvic muscles and delay the need for such a procedure. Some centers also have equipment which will help tighten and strengthen the pelvic muscles.

4.“G Spot” Amplification:

This is a relatively new addition to the procedures. The “G Spot” or The Gräfenberg spot, is a female erogenous zone, which when stimulated leads to high levels of sexual arousal and powerful orgasms.

Though anatomically the “G spot” has not be identified as a distinct physical entity some studies and anecdotal evidences from different women have shown a very sensitive and thickened area in the anterior wall of the vagina. Some studies done also showed this thickening when the women is sexually aroused. Women claimed the experience of a “deeper” orgasm when their her G-spot was stimulated.

Despite professional and scientific criticism and skepticism in general by the public, the G-spot, as a concept, has been widely accepted. Even in India judging by the mails, the awareness has definitely increased.

“G Spot” amplification is an extension of the same concept. As stimulation of the “G spot” is supposed to give greater arousal to the woman, the procedure involves identifying the spot and increasing the size by an injection. It is a relatively safe and simple procedure done as an office procedure. The injection lasts for 6-8 months and can give enhanced pleasure during intercourse by increasing the size of the “G spot” during that time.

But in some cases the results may not be up to the mark because of the difficulty of finding the “G spot”. The injection can be repeated as and when the effect wears off and the woman feels she wants the extra help to get aroused.

The awareness of these procedures and the inquiry regarding the same has increased over the past few years as woman are becoming more aware of their bodies and their own needs. Though there will always be controversies regarding the procedures, like for all other cosmetic procedures the options are there for people who want to get it.

As one of my patient's said... "Doc...I know it's not a necessary procedure... but , Its nice to know we have options !!!!!"

Dr.Surindher

www.cosmesisindia.com

Man Boobs or "MOOBS"...!!!

MAN BOOBS or “MOOBS”

This word came as a surprise to me initially when a patient of mine mentioned the term to point out to his problem. But then on doing a search, I found that its the common term used to describe the condition of “Gynecomastia”.

This is a condition where in the chest area of the male is more prominent. This is usually seen in the peri pubertal age group, when it starts to develop because of the hormonal changes going on in the body. The condition normally resolves as he grows up into adulthood. But, in a fair percentage of men this involution does not happen and they carry it into adulthood too.

Classically, Gynecomastia is referred to “painful enlargement of the breast tissue in a male”, but nowadays enlargement of the chest area, whether painful or not is commonly clubbed under the heading of “Gynecomastia”

This condition can be of three types in common terms. It could either purely fat which is seen in obese patients or it could be purely glandular – the classical Gynecomastia. But, most commonly it is a combination of both that is seen. Approximately 80% of patients belong to this category. All these could be without without skin excess.

I have had many patients come to me saying that they have been working out in the gym really hard but can't seem to get rid of the bulges in the chest area. The reason is because of the presence of the gland tissue. Another common question I get from these patients is regarding hormonal imbalances. Though in specific conditions it is because of a hormonal imbalance, it is usually not the case. In most cases the cause is not specified.

This is one of the few conditions that we as plastic surgeons operate on, even when the patients are young. This is a cause of embarrassment and ridicule among friends for a young adolescent which can lead to significant psychological trauma.

Over the years there has been a change in the treatment protocols too. Nowadays the most accepted mode of treatment is a surgical removal of the glandular part along with liposuction of the fatty part. Previously skin excision were common but with increased understanding and with the aim of reducing the ghastly scars on the chest, skin excisions are now limited to patients with severe grades of the condition along with significant skin excess.

The surgery is usually done via a cut under the nipple so that the scar merges well with the nipples without leaving behind a stigmata of a surgery. The gland is removed from the same cut and the suction is also done through the same incision Post operatively, the patient is supposed to wear a vest or pressure garment. This will help in skin shrinkage and also aid the healing process. This is worn for a period of @ 3 months. The patient can start routine activities usually very early, including return to the gym and exercises.

Though it is a simple procedure it has to be done by qualified people well versed with the anatomy of the area to reduce the scarring and to address all the problems as well. The most common problems are usually in the healing process which are swelling, pain. Rarely there maybe infections and sometimes the skin excess may remain which has to be dealt with.

Many patients come for secondary procedures after being operated elsewhere where a proper excision or suction was not done. Another problem of improper technique is where an excess of tissue is removed leaving a crater deformity or “Saucer deformity” which is much more difficult to correct.

But, overall it is a very satisfying procedure for the surgeon as well as the patient, when done properly. The transformation is dramatic and heartwarming especially in youngsters who have been withdrawn and embarrassed because of this and have been watching life from the sidelines.

Dr.Surindher

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!!

....................................................................................................................................

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

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.

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

Who's Up for a Makeover??

Often wondered about the whole " Cosmetic Surgery thing???"

Well here are a few questions answered and few points one should know before considering a cosmetic procedure.

Q. What is the difference between cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery?
A. Cosmetic surgery enhances specific features to improve one’s appearance and boost one’s self esteem. Reconstructive surgery is done to provide or improve / restore form and function in patients affected by birth defects, trauma, tumors, infection or developmental abnormalities.

Q. Who is a good candidate for cosmetic surgery?
A. A good candidate for cosmetic surgery is one who understands the procedure, is realistic about the expectations and risks of surgery and of course is motivated by his/ her own desire. Also, the candidates must be willing to follow orders and willing to tolerate unavoidable inconveniences like healing time, time for the swelling to come down, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight, refraining from smoking, etc.

Q. Will it hurt?
A. During the procedure our anesthetist’s will ensure that you are comfortable and feel no pain since you will be asleep. In cases where local anesthesia is used only the initial discomfort of a needle prick is felt. After surgery any pain or discomfort you experience will be dealt with by medication and usually subsides within a few days.

Q. How soon can I get back to work?
A. Depends on the procedure done. In procedures not requiring hospitalization, usually 2 – 3 days is enough, but larger operations may require some additional time away from work. But remember, you can rush urself and the doctor but u cant rush ur body to heal. So, give it the necessary healing time.

Q. How long before the final result can be seen?
A. This varies with the type of operation. Generally, there will be swelling and bruising for some time. 80% of the swelling abates within a few days, but it takes 3 – 6 months for the final results to be seen.

Q. Will there be scars?
A. Yes, but they probably won’t be noticeable. All efforts are made to keep the scars as minimal as possible and to try and hide them in natural lines and skin creases. In majority of the cases the scars settle with time and are barely noticeable. In few cases they might become hypertrophic, this depends on the person’s healing capacity. So, if you have any hypertrophic scars please bring it to the notice of the surgeon.

Q. Are there any risks and complications?
A. As with any operation, there are risks. But in an otherwise healthy individual there is no increased risk of any kind. The most common risks are anesthesia related, bleeding, infection and significant scarring. Though these are infrequent, they do occur sometimes. Since potential complications vary with each procedure, these are usually discussed with you at the time of the consultation.



Points to ponder before coming for a consultation:

# Take some time to think about the specific problem you have.
# Think and mark the specific attributes accounting for your dissatisfaction with your appearance.
# Have realistic expectations.
#Be ready to bear the inconveniences related to the procedure like healing time and to refrain from smoking temporarily.
#Examine the benefits and limitations of the procedure and carefully weigh your options before making a decision to undergo a procedure.
# Each patient, operation, surgeon and result is unique.

SO make it a pleasurable experience to yourself by taking care fo these things and preparing yourself for the procedure so you can enjoy the benefits of it.


Dr.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com

Why the need for this blog?

I think every one who visits my blog is going to have this thought at the back of his or her mind.

True, why is there a need for this blog. In fact, even I didn't think that it was necessary until it was suggested to me by a patient of mine. The blogs that I hope to put here under this heading are in a way to create awareness regarding cosmetic surgery and its present status in India. Also aim to provide necessary information for anyone and everyone who is contemplating a change.

India is not only seeing an economic change but also change in lifestyles and thinking. People are becoming more open to all ideas be it political or personal. I see a change also in the number of people becoming more aware and concious of their body image and looking for ways to improve it. This can be achieved by various means ,of which cosmetic and plastic surgery is one.

But along with the need to have themselves subjected to these procedures, I haven't seen an equal increase in the awareness about these procedures or their antecedent risks , limitations , indications and contraindications.

Towards the same aim , I put up two websites with the necessary details of the procedures, their risks, limitations , etc. Also started writing in magazines and news health supplements. But still I recieve numerous responses on my website with vague details and strange requests. And all these from educated people, which suggests that awareness on these is very low. These are people from all walks of life like housewives to models, from youngsters to aged people, from engineers to shopkeepers and an equal or more number of men asking for such procedures.

Hence with this blog site I hope to provide information, clear doubts, increase awareness and provide a platform where in people can get more aware of these procedures and not necessarily be afraid of them. But also be educated about the " FACTS' so that they can make and educated decision to the procedure they want.

Hence with the changing trends in India may be with more people opting for such procedures there is also an increased awareness about them and also awareness as to who are the people who are qualified to do the procedures....

Dr.Surindher

www.cosmesisindia.com

Why is Cosmetic Surgery still on the Taboo list in India?

Is the above statement true??? Why is Cosmetic Surgery still on the “taboo” list in INDIA?
Is undergoing a cosmetic procedure a bad thing?? I think not. If that were the case then the insurance companies would not be excluding cosmetic procedures from their purview. It goes to show that even the medical insurers are aware of the fact that if given a chance many of their clients would be willing to undergo a cosmetic procedure.

A few years back there was an article in a leading magazine written by a socialite about “ the Great Indian cover up!” It referred to the common dress in India, the salwaar kameez, which worked well in concealing a lot and also worked well in covering up a lot of excess baggage, only to be revealed after marriage.

Well, as more and more people, especially women are coming out to work or party and the attire changing from the traditional salwaar to a more corporate one and trousers, jeans or even our traditional Indian sari in a new look becoming the norm, the Indian woman is being uncovered.
Now, people want to look good in their new roles be it as officers or corporate employees or even as young mothers, let alone celebrities in the limelight like, actors or models. Also, it is no more a bastion of the fairer sex, so to speak.

Even the “ metro sexual “ male of today is bothered about his appearance, be it a paunch, a receding hairline or a crooked nose. Keeping fit, being healthy and looking good is the “ new mantra” of the young and not so young generation equally. This can be seen by the tremendous increase in the number of procedures performed on men in the last few years.

Does cosmetic surgery really have an impact on person undergoing the procedure?? Sure it does. Ask the teenager who wears a cap so his scar doesn’t show, the lady who wears a baggy dress to cover her love handles or post pregnancy stretch marks or an adolescent boy who doesn’t go swimming at school because his friends tease him about the little excess breast tissue he has. In some cases the psychological impact is huge and very palpable.
Let us examine a bit more closely the enigma called "Cosmetic Surgery". Yes, it is not necessary like maybe a cardiac bypass or an appendicectomy, but it sure helps the person it is intended for.

An ideal cosmetic procedure is one, which tries to correct the problem but, preserving the attributes, which make the person the individual, he or she is.
But, care has to be taken from the patient’s point of view to the fact that they understand the procedure, they are realistic about the expectations and risks of surgery and of course are motivated by their own desire

Is cosmetic surgery associated with any risks? Yes, as any other surgical procedure a cosmetic procedure has its share of risks, which any plastic surgeon operating on a patient will always explain. But, the risks are not always appreciated because the procedure is not “a necessity”. This is the reason why a complication, which may be accepted elsewhere, is not accepted in a cosmetic procedure. But, these instances are rare.

The problem if any is not because of cosmetic surgery per se’ but more because of it not being done properly and not being done by qualified personnel.
With so many “Cosmetic centers” burgeoning all over the place, people tend to be enamoured by the so called “ guaranteed results” which is shown in block letters and miss out on the “ results may vary from person to person” which is in small letters in one small corner of the advertisement.

Hence being well aware and educated of the procedure is the first step before you actually go ahead with the procedures. There is enough and more information available on the World Wide Web about all these procedures, which will help you know, about the risks, problems and results.

So, cosmetic procedures like any other surgical procedure require proper personnel to perform it, along with all the proper pre and peri operative care. It also requires co-operation of the person undergoing the procedure in terms of regular follow-ups care as advised by the surgeon and undergoing minor inconvenience in the form of quitting smoking or alcohol or fatty / junk food.

Also, the candidates must be sure of the credentials of the surgeon and most importantly should be willing to follow orders and willing to tolerate unavoidable inconveniences like healing time, time for the swelling to come down, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight and refrain from smoking, etc.

Cosmetic surgery is no more only for the rich and famous and is here to stay, with more and more people going in for that nose correction, tummy tuck, breast augmentation or liposuction.
Combined with proper nutrition and exercise, an aesthetic procedure may help you look good, feel better about the way you look and improve your overall self-image. It is not a fly by night operation and is definitely not a miracle solution as nothing in this world is.

Cosmetic surgery is coming out of the “ taboo” list as can be seen from the fact that China hosted the first ever “Ms.Plastic Surgery Contest”!!!!
There is no need for it to remain an enigma!!!

Dr.Surindher
www.cosmesisindia.com