Points to note before considering cosmetic surgery

Millions of people, both male and female, undergo plastic surgery procedures across the globe every single year. Cosmetic surgery procedures are done to improve one’s appearance and increase self-confidence. Nowadays, it seems like everyone has a perfect physique with youthful faces and well-proportioned upstanding breasts, all thanks to procedures like liposuction, breast lifts, fat transfer to the buttocks, etc.

Some cosmetic surgery procedures are done for medical reasons. For example, a person with very large breasts may choose to undergo a breast reduction to relieve excruciating chronic back pain; or a person may undergo rhinoplasty (nose job) to help them breathe better. However, the majority of plastic surgery procedures are done for aesthetic reasons, because people want to look better.

There are some very obvious benefits to getting cosmetic procedures done. A few improvements and enhancement of one’s physical features can improve self-esteem and can be a great self-confidence booster. Also, patients who undergo liposuction sometimes find it easier to exercise after a procedure and this helps the weight stay off. Usually, these positive enhancements and improvements in body shape motivate most people to start a diet and exercise program to help them maintain their new physique, and this encourages a healthier lifestyle, and thereby reduces risk factors for heart disease and other ailments.

Cosmetic surgery procedures are still very much surgery, and should not be taken lightly. More than three-quarters of plastic surgery deaths are due to complications associated with the use of general anaesthesia. Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedure, and it was previously only done under general anaesthesia. For this reason, there was usually a sense of fear when liposuction came up in conversations.

With recent improvements in medicine, liposuction can now be done under local anaesthesia. This is the preferred method as there are NO deaths associated with liposuction done with local anaesthesia. Now, that is great news for those who may be considering getting a procedure done. The even better news is that you no longer have to travel out of the country to get liposuction done because you can now safely get these procedures done here in Nigeria.

General Anaesthesia requires a patient to be placed on a respirator and an endotracheal tube is put in place to help the patient breathe. The patient is generally put into a deep sleep and is completely knocked out throughout the procedure. With local anaesthesia, the patient is placed under IV sedation or the anaesthesia is directly injected into the area that is to be operated on. This act locally blocks the transmission of pain through sensory nerve fibres. This way, the patient is awake and aware of what is going on during the procedure but would not feel any pain sensation. In addition, the patient would also be given medication to help relax and comfort him. After a cosmetic surgery procedure done with local anaesthesia, a patient can easily walk out of the office, unlike general anaesthesia where there is a longer recovery.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, here are a few points you must note:

One, cosmetic surgery is not a substitute for living a healthier lifestyle. You cannot do surgery, then go about and keep eating junk! That would be a mistake. This is meant to encourage you to be healthier, not to throw all caution to the wind. Two, you have to do your research and be sure to get a doctor who is certified to perform cosmetic procedures. Ask for before and after pictures from the doctor’s previous surgeries. Three, have realistic expectations. You would not go from a size 24 to a size 6 after liposuction. It doesn’t work that way. It’s not magic. The goal should be to enhance one’s natural beauty and body physique.

Last, it’s not cheap! If you get a doctor that is willing to do a procedure at a very reduced price, chances are it’s too good to be true, or the doctor does not know what he/she is doing or may not be certified to do the procedure. So, you must be very careful. Whether you’re having the procedure done locally or outside the country, make sure you do extended research in order to make the best decisions to help you achieve your desired results.

Disclaimer: The medical information provided here by Dr. Nini Iyizoba is provided as an information resource only. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.