Body improvement through plastic surgery
The history of cosmetic surgery reaches back to the ancient world. Physicians in ancient India including the great Indian surgeon Susrutha were utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive work as early as the 8th century BC. His work Sushruta Samhita describes rhinoplasty and otoplasty. This knowledge of plastic surgery existed in India up to the late 18th century as can be seen from the reports published in Gentleman's Magazine (October 1794).
Plastic surgeons have developed the use of microsurgery to transfer tissue for coverage of a defect when no local tissue is available. Tissue "flaps" comprised of skin, muscle, bone, fat or a combination, may be removed from the body, moved to another site on the body and reconnected to a blood supply by suturing arteries and veins as small as 1-2 mm in diameter.
Top Plastic Surgery Procedures of 2004 are: 1)Liposuction; 2)Rhinoplasty; 3)Breast Augmentation; 4)Eyelid Surgery; 5)Facelift
Because the changes resulting from plastic surgery are often dramatic and permanent, it's important that you have a clear understanding of how surgery might make you feel-- long before a procedure is scheduled.
We will provide you with a basic understanding of the psychological issues involved with plastic surgery. It can't answer all your questions, since your individual circumstances and your self-image must be considered. Ask our surgeons if there is anything you don't understand about the possible psychological aspects and effects of your planned procedure.
Patients in crisis may be advised to seek counseling prior to any consideration of surgery, such as those who are going through divorce, the death of a spouse, or the loss of a job. These patients may be seeking to achieve goals that cannot be obtained through an appearance change-goals that relate to overcoming crisis through an unrelated change in appearance is not the solution. Rather, a patient must first work through the crisis.
Impossible-to-please patients too may be advised to seek counseling prior to any consideration of surgery, such as individuals who consult with surgeon after surgeon, seeking the answers they want to hear. These patients hope for a cure to a problem which is not primarily, or not at all physical.
Parents may face considerable confusion and anguish in making surgicalchoices for their children, or when their children show a desire to change or correct a physical characteristic.
However, in elective procedures like otoplasty (ear pinning), the choices may be more indefinite. If the child doesn't seem to notice that he or she looks "different," parents may be advised not to force the issue of surgery. However, if the child is being teased or feels he or she doesn't belong, parents should probably consider surgery for the emotional health and self-esteem of the child. It's important to follow the recommendation of a pediatrician and to consider the feelings of the child and the parents.
However, if you plan to have breast surgery, nose surgery, or another procedure that may involve a dramatic body change, the post-operative adjustment period may take longer. Until you learn to accept your redefined body image as your own, your reflection may seem somewhat unfamiliar.
Depression may be especially stressful for patients undergoing staged procedures, who must cope with an unfinished "interval image" until the final stage of surgery is complete. Patients who are most vulnerable to depression are those who have a history of depression, or who were already somewhat depressed before surgery.
Knowing what to expect in the post-operative period may help you cope better in the days following surgery. It's helpful to remember that the depression usually lifts naturally within about a week. Brisk walks, light social activity, and small outings may help you shake the blues faster.
The results of your surgery are likely to elicit some comment from friends and family members--and usually, it's not all positive. If you've had purely cosmetic surgery, you may be criticized for being foolish or frivolous. If your surgery involved changing an ethnic trait, you may be accused of trying to deny your cultural heritage. And, if you changed a family trait, prepare yourself for some surprised or disapproving glances. You may even get the cold shoulder from close friends who feel threatened by your improved appearance.
Some patients find it's helpful to arm themselves with a standard reply to post-operative criticism, such as, "This is something I did for myself--and I'm very happy with my results."
