Normally we associate the term plastic surgery with beauty enhancing procedures. The google savy patient or client is familiar with terms like Rhinoplasty, Liposuction, tummy tuck , PRP, Fat grafting etc.
Yes we correct noses, depressed noses are elevated (augmentation rhinoplasty) , blunt ones are made sharper, very prominent ones are reduced( reduction rhinoplasty) and there could be more than one sittings. In fact Rhinoplasties are the commonest cosmetic surgery procedure done all over the world and it does significantly improve your facial aesthetics
Liposuction is a procedure for body contour surgery. The unwanted fat is suctioned out through a very small hole to give a better shape. Liposuction is Never recommended for weight loss. It is ideally suited for Male breast ( Gynecomastia), the abdominal bulge, double chin, few heavy arms and thighs and buttocks. A day care surgery with immediate results and no complications if done by experts.
Breast augmentation by implants and fat injection ,reduction of breasts are very common procedures and are again daycare procedures
Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is usually advised for the women in late thirtees to the sixth decade and the loose lower abdominal skin alongwith relocation of umbilicus( belly button) is done.It is one of the most satisfying surgeries for the clients . This warrants hospitalization for two to three days.
Facial surgeries include BOTOX (for fine wrinkles), fillers( deeper wrinkles) fat grafting for deep furrows . Blepharoplasty ( surgery of the heavy eyelids) and face lift ( for deeply wrinkled faces ) reduce your apparent age by about 10 to 15 years. And these are day care office procedures . Lasers have a very limited role to play and are confined to facial rejuvenation and unwanted hair removal.
About 80% of our work is directed towards Reconstruction, restoring form and function .
Burns and post burn care where reconstruction with correction of deformities are involved are our domain. Acute Burn treatment is most challenging as it involves a lot of effort from multiple specialities and huge finances. There are various ways people get burnt but to our surprise Homicide and suicide are still very common and believe me Dowry Deaths are still common.
High voltage electric contact burns are still common and usually seen during Monsoon . The farmer tries to hook a line from the overlying High voltage wires and is electrocuted. The results are death or high morbidity with loss of limbs
Chemical Burns: The acid burns are not uncommon and despite best efforts from the government we have not yet received any remuneration from the government for four of our patients. The victims have been compensated but not the treating hospitals and the doctors. An acid victim’s deformed face may need approximately 15 to 20 surgeries to restore near normalcy.
The acid is freely sold in the market and most of the accused are freely roaming in society.
Hand and facial injuries are our domain as they deal with delicate structures of both bone and soft tissues. The return of function of a damaged limb or hand depends on how good your plastic surgeons team is. Correct alignment of fractures with overlying tendons and muscles require a lot of expertise. The surgical procedures are complemented by very rigorous Physiotherapy sessions.
Indians are proud to note that Plastic surgery procedures were initiated in India. Around 600 BC Shushruta in Banaras is credited with first procedures. The punishment of cutting off noses was very prevalent and the Kumhars of north India were experts in restoring the shapes of the nose and till date similar procedures are followed.
Wars and massive industrial accidents have been the platform for the development of Reconstructive Plastic surgery procedures. Second world war, Korean war, Vietnam war have yielded multiple reconstructive patterns which are prevalent today. Hand and face transplants are here to stay and may become a common procedure in future.
Magnification has added more quality and variety to our procedures. Chopped off fingers and limbs can now be re-implanted with fair functional outcomes and requires the highest possible surgical skill.
We strongly believe that the outcome of your procedure depends on whose door you have knocked first.
Please do not be led by high quality promises in the advertisements and semi trained doctors. Please visit a good centre with a qualified plastic surgeon. Search for the PEDIGREE of your Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon and argue out your pros and cons before signing on the consent form for surgery. Complications are known but are rare in expert hands.
The author Dr Anant Sinha, recipient of Jharkhand Samman, Jharkhand Ratna, Bhagwan Mahaveer awards is a leading Plastic and reconstructive surgeon with about 30 years of surgical experience and leads a team of three plastic surgeons at Devkamal Hospital, Bajra, Ranchi.