HYDERABAD: The number of people going in for cosmetic surgery has gone up by 500% in the last decade. There are several reasons for this surge in aesthetic procedures including disposable incomes, increased awareness, easy accessibility and the strong urge to look one’s best with a more youthful and contoured body. People with a good self-image are found to be more effective at work, more positive in their interactions with others and more secure in their relationships too. Feelings of self-worth and confidence are important to be successful in life and people have realised it.With rapid advances in medical science, people are turning to this sure-shot way of looking good and feeling great. However, it’s most important to ensure that the process you opt for is safe and your motivation for going in for the procedure is a sensible one. For instance, Liposuction is meant to remove extra fat and for body contouring but it’s not a weightloss surgery for morbidly obese people. Also, people should understand that cosmetic surgeries are not scar less surgeries and one should have realistic expectations. However, the incision can be done where the scar is minimally visible. For such a surgery to be successful, the person undergoing it should be healthy and have a positive frame of mind. Personal satisfaction should be the prime motive for going in for this makeover.Secondly, the doctor you choose must be a qualified Plastic surgeon and experienced in the field. The risks involved in this surgery are not more than those in any other kind of surgical procedure. However, it is advisable that only healthy individuals should undergo aesthetic surgeries.Most importantly, the medical set-up where you undergo this surgery has to be well equipped. In fact, a hospital set up is ideal for it. It’s important to know who is administering anaesthesia and what his credentials are. A well equipped and accredited out patient sugical suite is is more convenient for a day care procedures.It’s mandatory to choose the right product and procedure option. In surgeries like breast augmentation, the breast implant stays inside the body for a long time. Hence, its important to use US FDA approved products which have proven safety.Risk factorChoosing the surgeon or the facility purely based on lower cost could be dangerous. Remember the money you spend is for you and the result should last a long time. Less than ideal operating places could offer a lower cost initially, but you will pay very heavily should a complication occur.Finally, one can achieve the best results if there is an open communication between the patient and his/her surgeon, and both can work together to achieve realistic goals. It’s important to be an informed consumer when going in for invasive procedures and know about the recovery period post-surgery.Aesthetic surgery can be life-changing and can have far-reaching implications in the life of an individual. However, it’s necessary to be well-informed and make the right choices. (The author is the senior consultant, plastic & cosmetic surgery, Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad)
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