How to choose a plastic surgeon for your cosmetic surgery

If you are reading this blog, then you are convinced that you should opt for a cosmetic surgery. Phew! Half of our job done! ;) 

On a more serious note, the next big question that arises is: How to choose a good and experienced plastic surgeon for your surgery? 

Since cosmetic surgery is not a part of the age-long and ‘routine’ medical procedures, your search for a good surgeon might not get narrowed down so easily. To help you make an informed decision, here is a list of the must-knows before you zero-in on one.

1. Training

Well, for starters you should know the difference between surgeons who earn their degree and those who buy it, so a background check of her/his college and qualifications is important.  S/he should be board-certified and a plastic surgeon by training.

It wouldn’t hurt to pick one who has international training and worldwide exposure so that you can cash maximum out of her/his experience.

2. Sense of Aesthetics

You want to undergo a cosmetic surgery to enhance your existing physical appearance. So it would be wise to choose a surgeon who has an eye for detail and suggests ways to improve the overall aesthetic result during consultation. 

An example will make this point clearer. For a hair transplant, pick a surgeon who advises you on creation of a more natural looking hairline rather than the one who tries the sell her/his technique i.e. someone who recommends inclusion of finer touches that can give you a completely natural and enhanced look.

3. Honesty 

A plastic surgeon’s credibility can be easily measured by how authentic and truthful s/he is. Make sure your surgeon conveys what ‘can-be’ and ‘cannot-be’ achieved during the consult itself. 

Honesty about the outcomes of the surgery right from the beginning gives you realistic expectations. Dissatisfaction will be ensured if you are promised the moon and it’s not delivered. 

4. Informed & Updated 

Cosmetic surgery has evolved so fast in recent years that it is imperative to choose a surgeon who has knowledge of recent trends and is abreast with the changing techniques and technologies. Here comes the role of the younger generation of cosmetic surgeons who have learned latest techniques that did not exist at the time their seniors took their training. 

Do extensive research on the classical and contemporary procedures and make certain that you don’t settle for anything short of the best. 

5. Appealing and Fine-looking Set-up

‘Style is a reflection of your aptitude and your personality.’

If your surgeon is particular about the aesthetic outcome of the surgery, it should mirror in the environment s/he works in. A shabby set-up may as well pronounce a namesake result of your surgery.  

6. Good pre- and post-op pictures 

You cannot blindly trust a plastic surgeon based on his promotional antics. Do ensure that the surgeon shares her/his body of work with you during consultation and you get a fair idea of the procedure and outcomes by viewing the pre- & post-operational pictures of her/his prior work. 

7. Duration of consultation

You should opt for a surgeon who gives ample time during consultation, taking you through the journey of expectations, procedure and outcomes lucidly and patiently so that all your doubts are cleared, and your apprehensions and fears are taken care of.

Since you are trusting this surgeon with your body, expect the best possible treatment. 

Finally, though it can't be categorised under the ‘life saving’ sort, cosmetic surgery is definitely a ‘life altering’ one for many; and since your exterior appearance is at stake, the choice of your surgeon can make or break the deal! 

So try to get as many ticks in this checklist as you can. 

Wishing you a happy surgery… and a great new look!

Top 10 Plastic Surgery Myths Busted!

There are many misconceptions revolving around the hows, whys and whats of plastic surgery. Since its not as common as going to a physician for an infection or consulting a dermatologist for acne, sometimes people don’t even realize how it might benefit them and change their lives. Though it has gained popularity in India in the past ten years or so, many people are not well acquainted with its procedures and outcomes. Moreover their notion of plastic surgery is very distorted, most of the ‘knowledge’ being apparently derived from hearsay, with neighbourhood aunties, relatives and gossip magazines being the prime source. 

Keeping in mind the same, we have compiled a list of the most everyday myths about plastic surgery and its results to set the records straight. Keep reading...maybe you’ll decide that one of these was stopping you from getting one!

• It is not meant for the masses

It is a very common conviction that only models and film stars go for cosmetic surgery since their career demands them to have a perfectly sculpted body and face to look more attractive on screen. Au contraire, increasing number of people these days are opting for hair transplants, liposuction, breast augmentation and eye beautification to raise the low levels self-confidence and morale that set in due to ageing and imperfections in their bodies. Believe us when we say that many in your immediate social circle might have got it done and you never came to know about it!

• It is extremely expensive and not worth the money 

This is one of the biggest delusions and many people back out because of the expenses involved. What they fail to comprehend is that this cost is relative. The results of a plastic surgery are not transient and no amount of money can compare the value of getting a changed and better physical appearance. After all, we have only one face and one body. Read more

• Plastic surgery leaves scars

It’s true that tucking away loose skin demands stitching it up. But since the ultimate goal is to enhance your aesthetic appeal, the scars are either concealed or camouflaged well and cannot be seen easily, giving you a natural look with no obvious signs of surgery.

• People go abroad for plastic surgery 

Plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques date back to 600 BC and India boasts of being home to the first plastic surgeon, Sushutra. Even today, Indian plastic surgeons are considered to be one of the best worldwide and many international patients fly in here for surgery.

• Cosmetic and plastic surgery are one and the same thing

Although used interchangeably, plastic surgery is a much broader term, which encompasses reconstructive, cosmetic as well as hand surgery. Whereas, cosmetic surgery mainly deals with restoring or improving the exterior appearance. This requires a strong knowledge base, high levels of training and practical experience. Above all, the surgeon needs to have an eye to appreciate finer nuances that improve your aesthetic appearance.

• Men do not opt for plastic surgery 

This illusion crops from the belief that beauty and improved looks are required and desired only by women. But irrespective of gender, a flabby body or premature balding becomes a cause of distress and low self-esteem. You’ll be amazed to know that there is an extensive range of plastic surgery services available for men, viz. hair transplant, six-pack abs, male breast reduction, penile enlargement, face lift, abdominoplasty, and rhinoplasty.

• Fat is regained after liposuction 

You have the same number of fat cells in your body right now, as it was when you were born. Surprised? Technically speaking, the number of fat cells in a body remains fixed throughout one’s lifetime. Body does not lose or gain these cells. Our food habits and lifestyle choices lead to an increase in their size and hence, the weight gain. In a plastic surgery, fat cells are sucked out and stubborn pockets of fat are eliminated. Possibility of weight gain after surgery is low, the primary factor being reverting to eccentric diet and exercise patterns.

However, you must realise that nothing is permanent in life. Even a newly constructed house requires revamping after a few years! 

• Face lift gives a frozen-face look 

The outcomes of an aesthetic surgery all come down to the skills and experience of the plastic surgeon. Failure to choose one wisely may lead to irreparable damage resulting in a face full of mistakes. Hence it is crucial to pick a competent and qualified surgeon who has an eye for detailed aesthetic evaluation and tailors his technique according to your requirements. Moreover, endoscopic surgeries are done these days, which give a scar free, and more natural look.

• Hair transplant is painful and the results are not permanent 

False! If the transplanted hair are taken from the permanent donor area and the proper technique is used, they will grow as normal hair and not fall throughout your lifetime.  You can cut them, shave them, style them, shampoo them, dye them or colour them, without worrying about any of them getting damaged!

As for the procedure being painful, the entire surgery is done under local anesthesia and the patient is fully conscious during the procedure. Mild post-op pain stays for 3-4 days and can be easily tackled with painkillers.

• Breast augmentation impairs breast feeding

Apart form being an integral part of a woman’s vanity, breasts serve the vital function of lactation after childbirth. Ergo it is instinctive to worry about the results of breast augmentation or reduction on breast-feeding. But with the advancements in technology, it is now possible to choose the technique best suited to your requirement so that milk production is not hampered. 

So go ahead, explore your options. You never know, this might be the best decision you ever made for yourself!

How worthy is it to invest in a plastic surgery?

‘It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness,’ said Leo Tolstoy. It’s indeed true that beauty lies within the heart and the true measure of happiness lies in inner beauty. Some even argue that nature has made each one of us unique, and we must adorn our physical appearance with pride and confidence - something that is easier said than done when ones personal or professional life is hanging on the cliff on account of her/his external appearance and desperate measures are pursued to improve upon it. Ask the woman who lives in constant fear of her husband cheating on her, almost dangling on the edge of depression or a child born without an ear, not being able to wear earrings, spectacles or even sunglasses for that matter for the rest of her life, or perhaps the anxious parents of a 1-year old child who fear that their son will have a scar on his face all his life owing to a cut he wound up having.

In an age where the façade of pancake and designer labels overshadow the person underneath, Anjali Sen*, a 30-year old wife of an MNC executive could not dress according to the standards set by the society due to her overflowing flab and felt that she was always being sidelined at parties and other social events. This drove her so insecure that she felt her marriage would break if she didn’t seek help.

In a social setting like ours, one’s outer appearance tends to have a direct link with our behaviour and performance. Be it dealing with clients, running a successful business, being the head turner at parties or simply feeling buoyant and attractive. No amount of money can measure the significance of an individual’s conviction about her/his self- worth and desire to look and feel good.

But it is strange that while we don’t think twice about spending thousands of bucks on dinners in high-end restaurants or buying a designer ensemble for an occasion, which we might not even wear again, we feel that getting a cosmetic surgery costs an enormous sum of money, which is not justified. What we fail to realize is that while the luxury items we splurge on without batting an eyelid are transient and might give momentary happiness, an improved appearance lives with us forever. It’s a part of our body, which will not wash away with the next day’s bath or be thrown into some corner of the wardrobe to be forgotten about. Think of it this way; while Rolex watches start at around 3 lakhs apiece, a hair transplant surgery from a good and recognised surgeon may cost somewhere between 1-1.5 lakhs. Which would be a reasonable choice if faced with premature balding, a watch to flaunt till you get bored of it or a head full of hair for the rest of your life, taking years off your face and making you feel attractive again?

Plastic surgery removes imperfections and it can be life altering for those who feel that they need or deserve to look better and raises their dipping levels of confidence and self-esteem. And hence opting for cheaper alternatives would imply taking a huge risk with your body. Imagine waking up every morning and staring at the constant reminder of a failed surgery in the mirror, repenting a mistake that cannot be rectified easily, living with the consequences permanently visible on your face or body for the rest of your life.

So lets face it: It might cost a tad more than what you are willing to spend, but if given an option to have the right curves in the right places, or fuller lips and a perfect jawline to give you that radiant smile you always desired, or those envious sculpted features you admired on your favourite actor, would you rather trade them for a Cartier watch or a Birkin bag? 

Choose wisely; after all it’s your body and your decision. 

* Name changed to protect privacy 

Dr Rajat Gupta is a well-known plastic & cosmetic surgeon practicing in New Delhi. His in-depth knowledge and passion for cosmetic surgery sets him apart from others in this field. He is acknowledged by his colleagues, for his eye to detailed aesthetic evaluation of each body part. He is among the first few in India to start Endoscopic (Minimally invasive) Facelift Surgery.