Aesthetic surgery, a snappy new way of saying ‘cosmetic procedure’, differs from plastic surgery in the sense that the former concerns appearances whilst the latter intends to correct birth defects or dysfunctional areas of the body, and is reconstructive in nature. It’s a distinction that’s not always made, but one worth bearing in mind.
Today, we’re talking about the aesthetic side of things. It was reported that during lockdown, the demand for cosmetic procedures soared, with a somewhat surprising reason cited; we’d all been scrutinising our faces too much during Zoom calls and were dissatisfied with what we saw.
Nicknamed variously as the ‘Zoom Boom’ and ‘Lockdown Face’, a little appraisal of our visages from time to time is all well and good, even if we have now shut down the Zoom and returned to the central office space.
But if discontentment with your features or physique is causing serious self esteem issues, then there’s no shame in considering surgery. That said, it’s essential that you do your due diligence before undergoing any procedures, to ensure your safety.
With that in mind, if you’re considering aesthetic surgery, here are some discussions to have with your doctor pre-op.
For Facial Surgery
The most common facial surgery is rhinoplasty or a nose job. This is a procedure in which a plastic surgeon makes a small incision at the base of your nose and inserts a metal instrument to remove excess bone and cartilage from your nasal passage, allowing you to adjust the size of your nose, usually (though not always) in favour of making it more slender.
A facelift is another common procedure. The surgeon reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in your face by tightening your facial skin.
If you are thinking about having facelifts or rhinoplasty, there are some factors that determine when to consult a doctor for these procedures. Non-invasive rhinoplasty uses fillers for temporary changes, but surgical rhinoplasty offers permanent, more precise corrections. While fillers can address minor issues, surgery can tackle complex deformities and provide lasting results, making it often a more effective choice for significant alterations.
Should a patient be considering this procedure, it should be noted that most doctors recommend that people not undergo this surgery before their 50s or 60s, and discourage younger people from doing so. This is because the bones and cartilage in the nose and face are not completely set when you’re young, and the effectiveness of the procedure is dependent on there already being signs of ageing in the patient.
Alternatively, you might want to consider a non-invasive remedy for sagging skin, of which there are many.
Breast Implants
Breast implants are one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures. Breast implant surgery is actually considered plastic surgery because it changes an existing part of the body.
Breast implant surgery is frequently done on women after they have gone through natural breast development and their breasts have stopped growing and developed to their full size.
Medical conditions that require you to consult a doctor for this procedure are:
Heart conditions
If you have heart problems, it is best to consult a doctor first. Heart problems can be life-threatening so the risk of surgery should not be taken lightly. Patients with serious heart diseases are advised against breast implant surgery because of the increased chance of surgical complications.
High Blood Pressure
If your blood pressure is uncontrolled, it can put you at risk of developing blood clots.
Lung Conditions
If you have lung problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you should consult your doctor first because of the risk of complications with anaesthesia during surgery. If anaesthetics are given to patients with COPD they may cause breathing problems.
Diabetes
People who have diabetes are at risk of developing serious infections. This is why they should consult a doctor before having the surgery because there may be an increased chance of postoperative wound infection.
Liposuction
Another common cosmetic procedure is liposuction. This involves the surgeon making small incisions on problem areas and sucking out excess fat cells with a cannula to create small dimples or openings on the skin. It can also tighten loose skin that bothers you.
If you are thinking about having liposuction done, you should consult a surgeon if you have any of the following conditions:
Allergic reactions
If you have allergies, there is an increased risk of reacting to the anaesthesia given during surgery or to any medications so it is best to consult your doctor first.
Blood-clotting disorders
If you have blood clotting problems, there can be increased risks with surgery so it is best to get checked for this condition before having liposuction done.
Skin conditions
There may be increased risks for people who have skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema so it is best to consult a doctor before having liposuction done.
The Bottom Line
All cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK must take place in a hospital or clinic which has been registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which publishes ratings regarding the quality of care offered. You can check here to see if the clinic is registered; simply enter your postcode or the same of the clinic.
In addition, any cosmetic surgery in the UK must be performed by a registered doctor. You can check on the General Medical Council online register to see if the person carrying out your surgery is registered.