The quest for the perfect face and body can be a costly one if you don’t know you facts! Shevelle Rhule investiages.
From celebrities and model that adorn our TV and magazines to a friend of a friend of a friend – cosmetic surgery is everywhere. Or course that is partly down to the new age woman no longer wanting to make do with imperfections which make them feel inadequate but choosing to create a ‘better’ version of themselves instead. Nearly 45,000 women in the UK have under gone cosmetic surgery in the past year and the demand continues to grown even in the midst of an economic down turn. However for a procedure that is considered a major operation, has the idea of plastic surgery become too commonplace, trendy and blasé? It is not uncommon to hear school age children being open about their desire for plastic surgery to look like the Nicki Minaj’s and Kim K’s of this world but do we truly comprehend what going under the knife actually entails? “ It has become extremely fashionable for young ladies to have cosmetic surgery but I’m totally against that – I do not operate on any ladies under the age of 21. Even an intelligent young lady does not have a clear picture of the side effects such as post operative pain, risk of infection and bleeding” explain leading international plastic and laser surgeon and Medical Director of the London Medical & Aesthetic at 1 Harley Street (www.lmaclinic.co.uk), Dr Ayham Al-Ayoubi.
It is pretty normal for women who want a physically transformation to focus on the outcome rather than the procedure as a whole. In reality the procedure can be quite traumatic with the risk of infection, bleeding, extensive bruising, prolonged recover (sometimes as long as eight weeks) and not to mention not getting the results you desire. “ The area of surgery I receive the most complaints is breast augmentation and just this year I have seen hundreds of cases where surgery has gone wrong. Nipples that have not been replaced back in the right area and are face outwards, implants being rejected, developing asymmetry and unsightly scars from the incision site” describe Antonia Mariconda, Author of The Cosmetic Surgery Companion and coach for cosmetic surgery patients. The NHS have spent £5000,000 on fixing faulty breast implants put in by private clinic so it really does pay to not take cosmetic surgery lightly. “Rather then concentrating on the euphoria of a change, I would worry more about what if things go wrong, is everything covered what is a surgeon going to do for me and is he going to be the one that helps should things go wrong?”
It’s very important to have a realistic expectation of your surgery – if you walk into a practice with a photo of a celebrity nose and yours is miles away from the original, well, lets just say, we both know how that is going to end. Dr Al-Ayoubi agrees, “Handling patients expectation and patient education about the outcome of the procedure is quite crucial. The way we view others is objective but when we look at ourselves it is extremely subjective so even if a surgeon has done a good job but doesn’t delivery the results she desire – for her – the surgery is a failure.” Surgery abroad is another contentious argument that many are for and against. Of course there are many equally qualified surgeons aboard but are you also protected by a care quality commission and what about your after care the reality is there is little your surgeon can do for you hundreds of miles away? “After a medical procedure it’s medically unwise to fly for a few days and what if it goes wrong? The NHS will look after you but if you want a breast correction that will not be free of charge.”
New cosmetics procedure such as buttock implants, vaginoplasty (nicknamed designer vagina) and Hymenoplasty (hymen restoration) should be approached with a little caution. These technique are still in there infancy compared to the more mainstream operations so it’s vital to choose a practitioner who is specialised in these areas rather then a general cosmetic surgeon. “One lady I know had suffered from a collapsed uterus but wanted to correct the physical appearance of her down below at the same time. The surgeon wasn’t appropriately skilled in this area and resulted in her developing severe infection and complications. She is now desensitized in that area and will never be able to go through a normal relationship with her partner again” adds Antonia.
Of course the idea of this article isn’t to put the fear of god into you but help you have a better understanding of the risk, side effects and complication that can occur as a result of cosmetic surgery. Make an informed decision and don’t just choose a name off the Internet especially if it’s only because he is cheaper. Consultations are key arrange up to three and make sure surgeon have the adequate qualification, government documentation and experience in the type of surgery you want. As Dr Al-Ayoubi says “ Prevention before correction – that is the golden rule.”
Cosmetics Surgery Tips
1) Do your research!
2) Book consultations with more then one surgeon
3) Check surgeon qualification, experience in your area of surgery and recommendations
4) Ask question even the tough ones – good surgeons will answer
5) Have realistic expectations about your results.
6) Find out exactly what your fee covers
