A common concept of beauty permeates across all cultures. What is perceived as attractive by the beholder is largely biological, overlaid with a small amount of individual preferences. Living in a modern society which is increasingly conscious about beauty,has led to an exponential increase in the number of people choosing to have or actively considering cosmetic surgery to improve their body image. When striving towards this objective, our patients wish to opt for procedures which will give them what they desire, but with no complications, minimal /no scars and a quick as well as smooth recovery.
Cosmetic surgery includes procedures and techniques focused on enhancing the patients’ appearance by refining Aesthetic appeal,symmetry and proportions. Cosmetic surgery services are nowadays advertised (though not necessarily legally) and provided by physicians & surgeons of many specialties. Patients are offered a wide spectrum of aesthetic treatments (both surgical and non-surgical) not only by Plastic surgeons but also by a variety of other specialists like dental surgeons, dermatologists and gynaecologists.
Patients should really ask themselves a few basic questions before they decide whom to trust with their precious Cosmetic procedures. Does it really matter who does your cosmetic surgery?Well, a gynaecologist could probably do your fillers or breast implant. You can have your gynecomastia corrected by a general surgeon and your hair transplant or PRP treatment from a dental surgeon. With so many specialists advertising their cosmetic surgery skills,would you like to opt for ANY physician near you,to do your cosmetic surgery procedure just because of he/she is close to where you reside? Would you like to choose the least expensive option available, regardless of the qualification or the area of expertise and specialisation of the treating doctor, just because it costs less?
What makes a trained qualified Plastic Surgeon the best person to entrust with your Cosmetic concerns?
1) Basket of options and choices
This matters the most. It can be argued that skill comes with practice and doctors of any specialty,even if not formally trained in plastic surgery, can accumulate a vast cache of skills through years of practice and perfect their techniques to give good results.Then why not opt for them?
The reason is that Cosmetic surgery has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years. For every cosmetic problem, there is a wide spectrum of non-surgical and surgical options available to suit every unique patient. The real downside of not having had formal long term training in all aspects of Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic surgery is very often a lack of awareness about these different and possibly better options for a particular patient.Since Cosmetic surgery may not be a part of the normal training in these specialities, they may be able to offer one or perhaps two popular options for treatment that they are personally competent in, but you can be fairly sure they will not be able to lay down ALL the options as well as their pros and cons, that could actually be available to the patient.Limited options can often result in an inferior outcome to what could actually be possible.
A qualified plastic surgeon always has more options in his armamentarium and will be able to give each individual patient a spectrum of choices, that are based on his/her unique anatomy and specific needs, so that they can make an informed decision. His/her training ensures that the outcome of the procedure is as optimum as possible.
2)Knowledge of Human Anatomy and its variations
Sound knowledge of anatomy and the possibility of its variations in different patients is an area in which a trained plastic surgeon far surpasses any other medical specialist. The training of a plastic surgeon involves the learning of very detailed anatomy of each body layer from skin to bone and from head to toe, unique as compared to any other specialty. For example, a urologist is trained to treat the urogenital system only, a cardiothoracic surgeon to treat heart and lung issues or a neurosurgeon to treat brain and spinal disorders, and so on. However a plastic surgeon is trained to treat and reconstruct any body part from head to toe(and that too, aesthetically). This detailed knowledge of anatomy and how to deal with each layer of body tissues is unique to a qualified,trained plastic surgeon.
3) Gentle Tissue Handling and Finesse
A plastic surgeon is also trained on how to handle body tissues as gently as possible. This is a delicate skill which one learns and sharpens only over a period of time. Even the instruments which plastic surgeons are trained use are very fine and delicate.How to hold tissues while applying sutures without damaging them, how to gently mobilise tissues in such a way that they can be closed with a fine scar……these are points of finesse rarely mentioned in books but practically taught during the extensive training that every plastic surgeon undergoes.
4) Refinement in results
What this training also brings with it is a refinement in techniques and subtle improvements that go a long way in giving a more aesthetically pleasing result which is ultimately every patient’s goal and expectation when they consider cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgeon is best able to minimise or cleverly hide your surgical scars within the natural skin creases, lines and folds of the human body or within your clothing.
5) Managing Untoward Complications
In the unfortunate or unforeseen event of a problem in the course of a patient’s treatment, a qualified plastic surgeon will always be more equipped to deal with any and all minor or major sequelae / complications. Many of the so-called “plastic surgery fails” that one hears of, tend to happen when a procedure is done by a person who is not a qualified plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons are trained to anticipate and avoid most complications and in the unfortunate case of such an event, a patient can rest assured that it will always be best managed by someone who is well trained in reconstructive procedures.
6) Problem Solvers
Plastic surgery is also known as THE problem solving speciality. Almost always, when other specialists need solutions to repair or reconstruct a tissue defect, they reach out to plastic surgeons for it. Plastic surgeons are also known as innovators. Their sound knowledge of human anatomy, of the blood and nerve supply of tissues and of healing gives them a special ability to innovate out-of-the-box solutions for the benefit of patients.
It goes without saying that every patient for a Cosmetic surgery deserves to obtain the best results possible, without complications, with minimal hidden scars.Cosmetic procedures are extremely safe and most effective when entrusted to a qualified trained plastic surgeon who will endeavour to use his /her knowledge, skill and experience to give each patient the most optimum achievable outcome.
