Getting in shape
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Before and after a tummy tuck
A nip here, a tuck there and an injection elsewhere and you are as good as new or in some cases even better than new. This is what cosmetic surgery is all about, MediScene learns. Cosmetic procedures, a branch of plastic surgery, are performed to improve or enhance the appearance of a patient who is otherwise healthy, explains Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr. Thushan Beneragama who is attached to the National Hospital, Sri Lanka.
Both men and women undergo cosmetic procedures, according to him, and many do so, because to “look good” is very much part of their profession.
Citing the example of a woman who may develop a big tummy after a pregnancy, Dr. Beneragama points out that if she is an actress, she may not be offered important roles because of this development.
In professions such as the film industry, where both actors and actresses have long careers, it is essential for them to keep their appearance as well as their figure, he says. Getting down to the barest of details, Dr. Beneragama says that cosmetic procedures can take the form of non-surgical procedures and surgical procedures.
The popular non-surgical procedures are:
- Botox injections – Mainly to ‘erase’ lines and wrinkles around the eyes and on the forehead botulinum toxin is administered to smoothen those areas by paralysing the muscles of the forehead.
The popular surgical procedures are:
-Fillers- This is to fill the deep folds caused by ageing on the side of the nose and around the mouth etc.
-Liposuction – This procedure also known as lipoplasty or ‘body sculpting’ is to reduce unwanted fat — which diet and exercise cannot get rid of — in any part of the body including the chest, tummy, hips, thighs, chin and arms. A small incision is made in the area where the treatment is required and the unwanted fat is vacuumed out.
- Tummy tucks – Known also as abdominoplasty, mainly to reduce big tummies especially after pregnancy, the procedure helps remove loose, excess fat and skin, while tightening muscles in the tummy wall and leaving a flatter tummy.
- Breast surgery for both men and women – In the case of men, it would entail the reduction (gynaecomastia treatment) of enlarged breasts by liposuction or excising out excess glandular tissue or both.
A nose-job
In women who have small breasts it would be the opposite — augmentation. Called mastopexy or breast-lift surgery, the procedure is performed to correct sagging and uneven breasts, those with decreased volume or even drooping nipples and areolas which have got stretched. Augmentation also known as enlargement may entail the insertion of breast implants such as silicone gel implants, saline implants or even a fat transfer. The implants are usually inserted between the breast tissue and chest muscles or chest muscles and chest wall.
Meanwhile, women who have large breasts may undergo size-reduction and reshaping.
- Rhinoplasty – Known as a ‘nose-job’, this is nose-re-shaping surgery which is much sought after.
- Facial surgeries – This includes face or neck-lifts; surgery around the eyelids which is called Bleph-aroplasty.
Under Blepharoplasty, the eyelids are re-shaped to get rid of bagginess while tightening the loose skin.
- Body-contouring procedures- These would include arm and thigh reductions. With age, the skin on different parts of the body sags and folds up and the Plastic Surgeon would step in to tighten and smoothen it.
- Upper-arm lift – Known as brachioplasty, the excess fat under the upper-arm, which resembles a bat-wing is removed and the arm re-shaped, while tightening the loose skin.
It will not be everyone who is eligible for cosmetic procedures, MediScene learns. Some think they need cosmetic procedures to improve their looks but are never satisfied as there is an underlying psychological issue. During consultations the Plastic Surgeon would realise that and dissuade them from undergoing these procedures, says Dr. Beneragama.
It is also during consultations that the Plastic Surgeon would listen to the patient’s requirements, make a few suggestions and then reach a joint final decision on the type of procedure to be performed, it is learnt. Citing an example, he points out that someone with a huge tummy may assume that the need is liposuction but the doctor would take into account all factors and suggest the dual procedures of a tummy-tuck and liposuction.
The patient would be assessed for physical fitness and whether prone to diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and hormonal problems which would have to be brought under control. The patient would also be checked out for signs of psychological imbalance which would result in unrealistic expectations, he says.
There would be a thorough explanation of the procedure as well as the benefits and the risks by the medical team including the Anaesthetist, MediScene learns, with the patient being told in no uncertain terms to seek a second opinion if they wish.
- Tummy tucks – Known also as abdominoplasty, mainly to reduce big tummies especially after pregnancy, the procedure helps remove loose, excess fat and skin, while tightening muscles in the tummy wall and leaving a flatter tummy.
- Breast surgery for both men and women – In the case of men it would entail the reduction (gynawecomastia treatment) of enlarged breasts by liposuction or excising out excess glandular tissue or both.
In women who have small breasts it would be the opposite — augmentation. Called mastopexy or breast-lift surgery, the procedure is performed to correct sagging and uneven breasts, those with decreased volume or even drooping nipples and areolas which have got stretched. Augmentation also known as enlargement or breast implants may entail the insertion of silicone gel implants, saline implants or even a fat transfer. The implants are usually inserted between the breast tissue and chest muscles or chest muscles and chest wall.
Meanwhile, women who have large breasts may undergo a size-reduction and reshaping.
- Rhinoplasty – Known as a ‘nose-job’, this is nose-re-shaping surgery which is much sought after. Here the Plastic Surgeon would remove skin from the nose of the patient and change the structure of the bone and cartilage.
- Facial swurgeries – This includes face or neck-lifts; surgery around the eyelids which is called Blepharoplasty; and other body-contouring procedures such as arm and thigh reductions. With age, the skin on different parts of the body sags and folds up and the Plastic Surgeon would step in to tighten and smoothen it.
Under Blepharoplasty, the eyelids are reshaped to get rid of bagginess while tightening the loose skin.
- Upper-arm lift – Known as brachioplasty, the excess fat under the upper-arm, which resembles a bat-wing is removed and the arm reshaped, while tightening the loose skin. It will not be everyone who is eligible for cosmetic procedures, MediScene learns.
Some think they need cosmetic procedures to improve their looks but are never satisfied as there is an underlying psychological issue. During consultations the Plastic Surgeon would realise that and dissuade them from undergoing these procedures, he says.
It is also during consultations that the Plastic Surgeon would listen to the patient’s requirements, make a few suggestions and then reach a joint final decision on the type of procedure to be performed, it is learnt.
Citing an example, Dr. Beneragama points out that someone with a huge tummy may assume that the need is liposuction but the doctor would take into account all factors and suggest the dual procedures of a tummy-tuck and liposuction.
The patient would be assessed for physical fitness and whether prone to diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and hormonal problems which would have to be brought under control. The patient would also be checked out for signs of psychological imbalance which would result in unrealistic expectations, he says.
There would also be a thorough explanation of the procedure as well as the benefits and the risks by the medical team including the Anaesthetist, MediScene learns, with the patient being told in no uncertain terms to seek a second opinion if they wish.
| Aiming at cosmetic medical tourism We have the skills, the expertise and the facilities for cosmetic procedures, but need to make people aware, stresses Dr. Beneragama, creating the image of Sri Lanka successfully thriving on cosmetic medical tourism. The other need is for locals to check and be sure of the qualifications and credentials of Cosmetic Surgeons before undergoing these procedures. Not always the answer |
Aiming at cosmetic medical tourismWe have the skills, the expertise and the facilities for cosmetic procedures, but need to make people aware, stresses Dr. Beneragama, creating the image of Sri Lanka successfully thriving on cosmetic medical tourism.The other need is for locals to check and be sure of the qualifications and credentials of Cosmetic Surgeons before undergoing these procedures.