The
nation observes the 15th of July every year as ‘National Plastic Surgery Day’
to increase awareness about plastic surgery.
Myths about Plastic Surgery
There
have been various misconceptions about plastic surgery all over the world
because of the name of the super specialty. “For me, please put a good plastic
material”, “After plastic surgery don’t go closer to fire, you will melt”.
These are few of the comments passed by the general population. There is
nothing to do with plastic material in plastic surgery.
The
misconception is again compounded by the glamorous movies and dramas. Madhuri
Dixit may become Shridevi within 5 minutes after an accident, that too without
any scars and defects. Impossible are shown as possible easily and thus the
expectation of the general population is increased. This may cause mismatch
between expectation and results.
Again, it
is generally believed that plastic surgery is something to do with ‘beauty and
glamour’ and monopoly of ‘rich and famous’ which is no longer true.
Origin of Plastic Surgery
“Those
who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. – Santayana.
The word
‘Plastic’ came from the Greek word ‘Plastikos/Plastique’ meaning ‘fit for
molding’ as shape and size of our body parts can be changed- like amputated
nose is reconstructed from the forehead skin or thumb can be reconstructed from
the skin of forearm and groin or breast is reconstructed from the muscle and
skin of back etc. Even the bone can be transplanted to another part of the
body.
The art
and science of plastic surgery was originated from India. Amputation of nose
was a form of punishment in ancient India. Nose indicates the personality of an
individual. Susruta, an Indian physician in 600 BC, reconstructed the amputated
nose from the forehead skin. The technique remains as the gold standard as the
skin texture is very similar with that of the nose and known as ‘Indian style
of Rhinoplasty’. Susruta is regarded as the Father of Plastic Surgery.
Sir
Harold Gilles, an ENT surgeon from New Zealand, innovated several surgical
techniques and 10 Commandments of Plastic Surgery to repair the WW I and II
injuries. He is regarded as the Father of Modern Plastic Surgery.
Mathew
and Nahai – discovered the unique Blood supply of Skin making variety of skin,
muscle and bone flaps possible. Introduction of advanced microscopes has made
microsurgical transplantation of tissues in traumas and cancer reconstruction
possible.
Plastic Surgery – defined
Plastic
Surgery is now defined as a problem solving surgical discipline and spans the
entire body and does not have a defined anatomic area unlike other super
specialties.
Plastic
surgery is artificially divided into Reconstructive and Aesthetic though the
two are overlapped.
Reconstructive
surgery is the surgery done on abnormal organs to offer the forms and functions
of the organs like Congenital Defects, Limb Trauma, Burn and burn defects,
Cancer surgery, Maxillofacial surgery, Post Traumatic defects, Micro surgery
etc. Cleft lip and palate are done free of cost at Shija Hospitals under Smile
Train Inc USA.
Cosmetic
or Aesthetic Surgery is the surgery done on normal organs to enhance the self
esteem of the individual like Face Lifting, Breast Augmentation and Reduction,
Asian and Anti Aging Eyelid Surgery, Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping), LASER, Scar,
Tattoo and Mole Excision, Chemical Peel, Dermabrasion etc.
These
days cosmetic surgery is no longer an exclusive beauty secret of rich and
famous. The demand for cosmetic surgeries has increased due to rising incomes,
increasing consumer awareness and easy availability of procedures.
Anti Aging Science
‘Everybody
wants to live longer and look younger.’ No age and sex bar. Human beings can
live 100, 200, 300 …. years. But is it possible? Yes, it is possible. It is up
to you. We kill ourselves due to our lifestyles. We get what we want. No age
and sex bar.
Anti
aging wave is the greatest wave of the century. But unlike tsunami, the impact
is less felt as it has happened in the last two decades. In the beginning of
20th century, average human life span was only 20 years. Development of modern
healthcare and knowledge, it is now 70 to 80 years. Many are touching 100.
Aging is
defined as the collection of degenerative diseases that is largely (70%)
influenced by lifestyle. Our ageing is due to chronic inflammation caused by
Free Radicals- the culprit. Free radicals are unstable molecules which contains
unpaired electrons in their structure. They are very active compounds, which
easily induce lipid peroxidation, collagen deterioration, DNA alteration and
damage of the cell membrane.
Antioxidants
are heterogeneous compounds which stabilize the free radicals and delay the aging
process. Among antioxidants we can find vitamins, minerals, essential amino
acids and other compounds
Aging and
life expectancy is approximately seventy percent determined by our lifestyle
and only thirty percent determined by our genetic makeup. The production and stabilization of free
radicals is largely controlled by our healthy lifestyle – nutrition, exercise,
Yoga, Meditation, Positive Thinking, deep sleep etc. ‘Beauty of mind is the
best cosmetic’.
Hormone
manipulation may be required to fight the aging process. Stem Cell – may become
the Ultimate Anti-Aging Therapy.
Conclusion
Plastic
surgery has progressed tremendously in the last 3 decades. Plastic Surgery can
restore forms and functions of body partsand life saving. Self esteem of an
individual can be increased through plastic surgery. Anti aging sciences is
emerging as the most wanted human innovation of the century.
Comprehensive
care is needed for Mind, Body and Spirit for health and beauty. Stem cell
research may provide solution to human longevity. The science and arts of
Plastic surgery is now available in Manipur. Free cleft surgery is available at
Shija Hospitals. In Manipur, RIMS and Shija Hospitals have facilities for post
doctoral three years course in Plastic Surgery (MCh & DNB respectively).
The writer is a Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgeon, Shija Hospitals, Langol, Imphal.
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