Cosmetic Surgery ???--- Not for me!!!!

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Is the above statement true??? Why is Cosmetic Surgery still on the "taboo" list in our society?

Is undergoing a cosmetic procedure a bad thing?? I think not. If that were the case then the insurance companies would not be excluding cosmetic procedures from their purview. It goes to show that even the medical insurers are aware of the fact that if given a chance many of their clients would be willing to undergo a cosmetic procedure.

A few years back there was an article in a leading magazine written by a socialite about " the Great Indian cover up!" It referred to the common dress in our society, the salwaar kameez, which worked well in concealing a lot and also worked well in covering up a lot of excess baggage, only to be revealed after marriage.

Well, as more and more people, especially women are coming out to work or party and the attire changing from the traditional salwaar to a more corporate one and trousers, jeans or even our traditional Indian sari in a new look becoming the norm, the Indian woman is being uncovered.

Now, people want to look good in their new roles be it as officers or corporate employees or even as young mothers, let alone celebrities in the limelight like, actors or models. Also, it is no more a bastion of the fairer sex, so to speak.

Even the " metro sexual " male of today is bothered about his appearance, be it a paunch, a receeding hairline or a crooked nose. Keeping fit, being healthy and looking good is the " new mantra" of the young and not so young generation equally.

Does cosmetic surgery really have an impact on person undergoing the procedure?? Sure it does. Ask the teenager who wears a cap so his scar doesn't show, the lady who wears a baggy dress to cover her love handles or post pregnancy stretch marks or an adolescent boy who doesn't go swimming at school because his friends tease him about the little excess breast tissue he has. In some cases the psychological impact is huge and very palpable.

Let us examine a bit more closely the enigma called "Cosmetic Surgery". Yes, it is not necessary like maybe a cardiac bypass or an appendicectomy, but it sure helps the person it is intended for. An ideal cosmetic procedure is one, which tries to correct the problem but, preserving the attributes, which make the person the individual, he or she is.

Is cosmetic surgery associated with any risks? Yes, as any other surgical procedure a cosmetic procedure has its share of risks, which any plastic surgeon operating on a patient will always explain. But, the risks are not always appreciated because the procedure is not " a necessity". This is the reason why a complication, which may be accepted elsewhere, is not accepted in a cosmetic procedure. But, these instances are rare.

Cosmetic procedures like any other surgical procedure require proper personnel to perform it, along with all the proper pre and peri operative care . It also requires co-operation of the person undergoing the procedure in terms of regular follow-ups care as advised by the surgeon and undergoing minor inconvinience in thr form of quitting smoking or alcohol or fatty / junk food.

Combined with proper nutrition and exercise, an aesthetic procedure may help you look good, feel better about the way you look and improve your overall self-image. It is not a fly by night operation and is definitely not a miracle solution as nothing in this world is.

So, Cosmetic surgery is no more only for the rich and famous and is here to stay, with more and more people going in for that nose correction, tummy tuck, breast augmentation or liposuction.

But, care has to be taken from the patient's point of view to the fact that they understand the procedure, they are realistic about the expectations and risks of surgery and of course are motivated by their own desire.

Also the candidates must be sure of the credentials of the surgeon and most importantly should be willing to follow orders and willing to tolerate unavoidable inconveniences like healing time, time for the swelling to come down, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight and refrain from smoking, etc.

Cosmetic surgery is coming out of the " taboo" list as can be seen from the fact that China hosted the first ever "Ms.Plastic Surgery Contest"!!!!

There is no need for it to remain an enigma!!!