The Risks That Involved In Cosmetic Surgery

It is all too easy to get carried away by excitement of the prospect of getting a brand new look. However, don't lose sight of the realities of going through a surgical procedure on your face or body. Just because it is called cosmetic doesn't mean that it isn't surgery with all of the risks attached. Remember that any time a surgeon picks up a scalpel, it is real surgery and all surgery includes an element of uncertainty and should be taken seriously. You should be aware of any consequences should it not go as planned.

With any medical procedure there is always a possibility of unexpected – or unwanted – events. No surgeon in the world can give absolute guarantees as to the final results. The ultimate decision to proceed rests with you, the patient. You make an informed choice after the doctor has made a conscientious effort to explain every aspect for the procedure.

Remember that your surgeon has no ethical responsibility to explain all potential complications in detail. So it really is up to you to ask about anything that you don't feel sure about regarding the cosmetic surgery procedure. When you come up with some questions it is important to factor in the variables of your individual health status, age, skin quality, gender and your medical history. This will help your surgeon to be able to give realistic and honest answers to your questions.

The most common reactions to cosmetic procedures are swelling and bruising. These are inevitable after having cosmetic surgery and sometimes even with non-surgical procedures too. Nausea and vomiting are relatively common reactions to anaesthesia. It is usual to be prescribed an antibiotic before and /or after surgery to guard against any infection.

After the procedure, you will be instructed to be on the lookout for signs of infection near the incisions. These might include increased swelling, redness, high fever, warmth, bleeding or other discharge. If you experience unusual symptoms, such as heavy bleeding, throbbing, sudden pain followed by significant swelling, report them immediately. You will also be asked to check that your bowels are functioning normally, since constipation is common after an anaesthetic.

Here are some of the risks of reactions to cosmetic Surgery : Swelling (common), Bruising (common), Nausea and vomiting (reaction to anaesthetics and medications), Allergic reaction to anaesthesia, Bleeding, Infection, Haematoma (blood clot), Seroma (collection of fluid), Skin sloughing (skin loss), Nerve damage (temporary injury to nerve), Delayed healing, Poor scarring (raised or thickened scars), Prolonged numbness.

Here Are Some More Serious Complications of Surgery : Pulmonary embolus (blood clot), Fat embolus (fat clot), Permanent nerve damage, Malignant hypothermia (dangerous rise in body temperature), Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), Sepsis (blood poisoning).

Don't worry unduly. It is highly unlikely that you will develop anything more severe than bruising, swelling or constipation but I hope that I have helped you to see that you must take cosmetic surgery very seriously and know about all of the risks before you go ahead.

Should You Get A Nose Job?

It is impossible to open up a celebrity magazine these days without seeing somebody who has recently had their nose reshaped to improve their looks. In fact some people change their noses as often as they change their hairstyle. But what are the real facts about nose jobs and if you are considering getting one yourself what should you consider before going ahead?

What Exactly Is A Nose Job?
Nose reshaping, or to give it’s proper title, Rhinoplasty, is a procedure that is used for both medical and cosmetic reasons. Doctors may advise having your nose reshaped if you have difficulty breathing through your nose because of an obstruction or if you have had an accident that affects the nose. However, most people choose to have a nose job because they dislike the shape of their nose.

Here is a list of the most common complaints people have about their noses and why they want to reshape it:
• Their nose might appear too wide when viewed face on
• They feel that their nose is too large for their face
• They feel that their profile is out of proportion because of a long nose
• Some people have a distinct bump on the nasal bridge
• They have a crooked nose and want it straightened
• They feel self-conscious because their nostrils are excessively flared
• The tip of their nose droops downwards or is too thick

Age also can affect the shape of the nose. As you get older the nasal support structures of the nose can relax and cause the shape and position of the nose to change its shape. For example it might appear more bulbous and longer with the tip of the nose eventually drooping.

As the procedures become more common and advanced, it allows the cosmetic surgeon a whole range of options to reshape nose rather than being restricted to simply just reducing the size or shortening the tip.

For example, some noses need to lengthened, augmented or narrowed to achieve the best aesthetic results. Nowadays it is possible to have a much more natural look then 10 or 20 years ago when it was really obvious that a person had had their nose reshaped.

What happens if you decide to have your nose reshaped?
Rhinoplasty is normally performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon will make an incision inside the rim of the nostrils, and in some cases, on the rim of the nose, to reduce the width of the nostrils.

If you are having an open Rhinoplasty procedure, an incision is made at the base of the nose and the soft tissues are separated from the underlying structures. This is so that the cartilage and bone can be reshaped. If you are having your nose reduced in size, the surgeon may fracture the nasal bones and reset into a narrower position to give the appearance of a smaller nose.

On the other hand, if you are having your nose enlarged or built up in certain areas, grafts of cartilage from the nose, ear, rib and in some cases from your hip will be used. Your surgeon will explain what is involved in situations like this. The skin and soft tissues will then re-drape themselves over the reshaped nasal bones.

If you are experienced breathing problems prior to the operation, these will be corrected by reducing the obstructions and removing the airway. Depending on the technique used by the surgeon, a splint may be placed on the bridge of your nose to hold the tissue in place and to protect your nose.

The Right Cosmetic Surgeon , How?

How To Choose The Right Cosmetic Surgeon And What Questions Should You Ask Him?

Somewhere out there, an excellent, reliable doctor or surgeon is waiting to transform you. The trick is finding them. To do that, you need to ask the right questions, in the right places, and then you can go ahead with much more confidence.

There is never just one specialist doctor for any procedure in the world of cosmetic surgery and treatments. There are almost certainly several, sometimes many, practitioners and surgeons who can give you an equally good result.

The best way to find a great cosmetic surgeon is to ask around. Get references and talk to patients who are happy (or unhappy) with their results. Talk to your own doctor or gynaecologist and, if you have access to other doctors, anaesthetists and theatre nurse, ask them too. They are great sources of information because they work within the profession and see the results almost on a daily basis.

Ask beauty gurus and journalists, and collect information from magazines, newspapers and the Internet.

Before scheduling an initial appointment, request brochures, which describe their practise, experience and special interests. Also check their web sites. Most surgeons will charge a fee for the first visit, so ask in advance or look out for things like this in your research. Try to get a short list of two, or preferably three or more surgeons.

Never go with the first or only cosmetic surgeon you see (at least, when it comes to having an operation. A non-invasive procedure doesn’t carry the same risks). Even if you are excited about the first one you meet, and feel very comfortable and confident with him/her, please go to see the others for information and comparison, even if only to confirm your initial impression. Only then are you qualified to choose wisely.

Remember that you should always feel comfortable with the doctor and with their recommendations for your treatment. They should also counsel you to make sure that you are ready to undergo this treatment and understand all the implications and risks. If you don’t like the person, continue with the interview but wait and have another think: certainly don’t commit unless you are sure. Once you decide, get all the fees and hospital costs in writing.

To help you, here are a list of questions that you should ask every surgeon you have a consultation with:

• Have you had any legal action taken against you as the result of surgery you’ve performed, or is there any case outstanding? (You can check this with the General Medical Council).

• What are your qualifications and training?

• How long have you been practising and where?

• What professional bodies do you belong to?

• How many of these procedures have you performed during the last year?

• Can I see pre and post operative photographs of other patients that you have operated on?

• Exactly what do you recommend for me, and why?

• Where will it be performed?

• What kinds of anaesthesia will I have and who will be administering it? (The qualifications and experience of the anaesthetist are as important as those of the surgeon)

• How long will the procedure take?

• Will I need to stay in hospital overnight and where will that be?

• How many incisions will there be and where exactly will they be placed?

• What is the estimated length of time for recovery? Absence from work and overall healing?

• How long do you expect the results to last?

• What results can I reasonably expect?

Don’t be afraid to ask these questions. Any good cosmetic surgeon will be more than happy to answer them and to put your mind at rest.