As I start writing this article, I am reminded of a very thought-provoking quote I read some years ago: “Age imprints more wrinkles in the mind than it does on the face” (~ Michel de Montaigne – French Philosopher and Writer). Isn’t that a lovely way to look at growing older while in fact, you are watching your face and body mutate into a human version of ET?! Michel de Montaigne, who appropriately enough just happens to be a philosopher, is suggesting we look at the bright side of life by focusing more on what we have gained in love and family, friendship, experience and relationships. He thinks that these things that are close to our hearts are far more important than what we physically look like. So, now that I have thrown the cat among the pigeons, let’s see how much more I can stir you up as we look at cosmetic surgery and any associated risks!
Have you ever thought about cosmetic surgery? I suppose if you are not into your 50s or 60s yet, it probably hasn’t crossed your mind – and why should it? Maybe you are one of those salt of the earth people who believes that you should grow old gracefully and not tamper with what God has created.
When I look at Priscilla Presley, I vow I will never have cosmetic surgery (remember how gorgeous she was as Jenna Wade, in the hit show “Dallas”?) as now she cannot smile or speak properly. Unfortunately, she was the victim of a doctor who was found guilty of using unapproved drugs and now nothing can fix her face. The damage is permanent.
Then, look at Joan Rivers – would you believe that she is 76 years old?! She was overheard saying “Better a new face coming out of an old car than an old face coming out of a new car”! She has paid a fortune for two face lifts, an eye tuck, one or two rhinoplasties, and plenty of Botox. For her, they have definitely worked – with no visible side effects.
The queen of country, Dolly Parton has no qualms about submitting to the knife. Laughingly she quips: “If I see something sagging, bagging, and dragging, I’m going to nip it, tuck it, and suck it. Why should I look like an old barn yard dog if I don’t have to?” Doesn’t that just make you smile?
I think we all know that with something as personal as cosmetic surgery, we have to do a lot of our own research before we even see the doctor so that while we are with him, we will know exactly which questions we want answers to and reassurance about. Heaven forbid any of us have the same problem poor Priscilla had! However, I suppose you can do research and ask questions till they are coming out of your ears and something could still go wrong. That’s the crux of the matter: something could go wrong.
With cosmetic surgery, the importance of choosing the correct doctor cannot be over-emphasized as cosmetic procedures are not covered by your medical insurance. Make sure your doctor has the right experience and a “flawless” reputation – ha, ha, ‘scuse the pun here! You cannot count the cost of beauty, so do not choose a doctor by what he charges as you could end up paying for the rest of your life!
Remember that there is a very important risk that whatever you are changing might turn out to be too big, too small, or irregular in some way. You also need to know that everybody heals differently and that sometimes the way in which you heal is totally unpredictable.
These days, doctors have specific medical insurance for every possible problem that could affect them, including you suing them. That is why, before every single operation a surgeon performs, the patient has to sign a “consent’ form – which basically lets the doctor off the hook if something does go wrong. But, their insurance can be challenged in court and if a patient can prove negligence, you are making progress. Whatever happens, it is unlikely that winning a court case is going to rectify what the doctor did.
Cosmetic surgery, also referred to as “plastic surgery” refers to two related procedures that really are completely different. The first is “reconstructive surgery” that helps people who have had a severe facial battering or been badly burnt, for example. They might need skin grafting or their broken nose rebuilt. “Cosmetic surgery” is a voluntary operation to improve our looks; for example, removing the “crow’s feet” or “laughter lines” next to our eyes and a rhinoplasty is quite a common request for a cosmetic surgeon. Widely referred to as a “nose job”, plastic surgery is not involved in replacing skin, noses or wrinkles with pieces of plastic or fake body parts. Oh no, the term “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos”, which literally means “to mould”!
Cosmetic Surgery Risks
While we all know that every kind of surgery is a risk and is described as “an invasive procedure”, somehow I don’t think we see cosmetic surgery as actually being real surgery. Rather we see it as a tool towards enhancing our appearance – almost like a visit to the dentist or putting make up on to change how you look – something simple. It is not life threatening and it is something we are doing because we have chosen to do it. However, because we think like this, we tend to overlook the potential dangers. We also need to remember that cosmetic surgery carries more risks than other operations and generally, the recovery period is longer. These days, the risks of cosmetic surgery are not as big as they used to be due to surgical advances, better techniques and more advanced equipment.
The most important point of all is the outcome – is the risk worth the reward? You also need to look at how healthy you are. Certain conditions you have may increase your personal risk factors. Things like being overweight, problems with your heart, lungs or nervous system, a history of cancer or blood clotting problems and for woman, taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, and if you drink excessive alcohol or smoke, you are a higher risk. Smoking increases the time it takes a wound to heal, as well as making any scarring worse.
Some problem during or after surgery
Let’s have a quick look at some of the problems that can occur during or after any surgery, including cosmetic, and how they would be corrected during the operation, if that is possible.
Excessive bleeding – you can get a blood transfusion
Deep vein thrombosis – you have anti-clotting medication
Temporary or permanent numbness or tingling around the operation site
Necrosis (referred to as “skin death”, but is easily fixed)
Seroma (when liquid collects in the wound site, but the body will reabsorb it in time)
Divets, puckers or “holes” in your skin could be more serious and necessitate another operation.
In the “nose job” example mentioned above, it is very easy for something to end up out of place. For example, you want your nose made smaller and less pointy. Well, it could end up being turned right down onto your mouth and slanting to the left. You may also have breathing problems and, horror of horrors; your face could be permanently damaged. When this sort of thing happens, the doctor has put your life at risk as the messed up nose job increases your risks of having recurring nose bleeds, infections, and possible nerve damage.
Botched breast surgery can be even more serious. Instead of the perfect 36D you wanted, you could have one 36D and one 36A. Imagine that, or rather, don’t imagine that! It’s sounds quite funny, can you imagine how funny it would look?! Sorry, I can’t help laughing! I know this is a very serious situation. In addition, implants put into breasts can cause infections, bleeding, or even a disfigured chest wall. While our bodies are not symmetrical anyway – most of us have one foot bigger than the other, but we don’t even notice that. That is small comfort when looking at your “different” sized breasts! I am being extreme here, but these kinds of things do happen, and then what?
Emotional risks
One thing we have not covered here are the emotional risks of cosmetic surgery. Psychological problems are serious and need to be seen in the same light as other medical conditions. If your body is sick, you get it fixed with antibiotics; if your mind is sick, you get that fixed as well with the help of counseling and medication. Doctors say that the reason a patient wants cosmetic surgery in the first place is vitally important as that can help them see the patient’s side of how they feel about it. If a patient is already suffering from depression because they consider themselves worthless, the outside improvement in their looks is not going to fix what is going on inside.
It is normal to feel depressed after surgery, but if it persists longer than a couple of weeks or so, you should seek help. It is also normal to scrutinize your wounds and to nitpick and find fault with everything about it – this will settle down as your body heals and the wounds start to look better. Always remember that the procedure of cosmetic surgery does not result in perfection, but in improvement. It is not going to save your relationship with your boyfriend.
Any surgical procedure carried out under general anesthetic, may result in some nausea and vomiting afterwards. However, during the operation, you could have more serious complications like a collapsed lung, kidney problems, a stroke, or even a heart attack. Nobody can predict these happening and luckily, they are very rare. We simply cannot assume a 100% safety rate or guarantee.
Overall, the risks associated with cosmetic surgery are rather small. The risks of troublesome complications are less than half of 1%. Dying during a cosmetic surgery operation happens to one in 57 000 patients. Studies carried out to see how many people would have cosmetic surgery if money was not an option showed that 75% of mothers would succumb to the knife if it would bring back their youth! Wow – that’s a bit sad.
To end on a stimulating note, read what playwright Eugene O’Neill had to say about aging and acquiring wrinkles “When you’re 50, you start thinking about things you haven’t thought about before. I used to think getting old was about vanity – but actually it’s about losing people you love. Getting wrinkles is trivial”. Now isn’t that some interesting food for thought?
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