Plastic Surgery FAQs
Plastic surgeon Aris Damagas provides answers to your most frequently asked questions
1.What is plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery is the surgical specialty concerned with improving or restoring the appearance and/or function of all parts of the body. The word “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos” which means “to mold” or “to give form or shape”. Plastic surgery is divided into reconstructive surgery, which restores the form and function of body parts after an accident, disease or birth defect, and aesthetic surgery, which improves the face and parts of the body based on aesthetic criteria and results in beauty. It is important to understand, however, that many procedures combine elements of reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, and that although the two fields differ in goal, they apply the same basic surgical techniques. Plastic surgery is a dynamic specialty that is constantly evolving and offers solutions to all problems related to your appearance.
2.Why should I undergo a plastic surgery?
Today more and more people are discovering the benefits of plastic surgery. This results to a great extent from the increasing information of individuals through print and electronic media. In addition, the growing interest is reflected in the 15 million international websites dedicated to plastic surgery, which also help inform people about the benefits of plastic surgery. Men and women of all ages and walks of life desire a more attractive body image. Aesthetic surgery uses the latest and modern methods and techniques as well as improved materials that can provide long-lasting results, with greater safety than ever before. The fact that the total number of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures performed worldwide exceeds the total of all other surgeries combined is further evidence for the arguments in favor of plastic surgery. Of course, each person has different reasons for choosing cosmetic surgery. Sometimes it is the professional, based on eye contact, who decides to do blepharoplasty to “fix” the “bags” on his eyelids. Other times it’s the young woman who wants to feel comfortable in her swimsuit and wants liposuction to eliminate the “buns” that “resist” diet and exercise. Or they may be people of mature age who want their face to look rested and are looking for a facelift to freshen up their appearance.
3.What is the reason for the current popularity of plastic surgery?
The development of medical science together with high-level technology, which ensure faster and easier recovery, offering greater safety in plastic surgery, but also the fact that plastic surgery has become affordable to a very large number of people, are some of the reasons that have made her so popular. Mainly, however, its popularity nowadays is due to the strong tendency of modern people to be more concerned with their body image, as well as the increase in life expectancy. The philosophy of many people, who are in their 50s, 60s or 70s, to enjoy life to the fullest through better nutrition, exercise and a preserved youthful appearance, prompts them to seek safe surgical techniques that will give them the opportunity to keep looking as young as they feel.
4.What is the goal of plastic surgery?
Whatever part of your body you decide to modify, remember that your ultimate goal should be the same: to improve your body image, boost your self-esteem, derive positive emotions from your body, and make your everyday life easier. Simply put, successful plastic surgery is one that makes you feel good about yourself. That’s why it’s important, before undergoing plastic surgery, to always examine your own motivations and make sure your expectations are realistic. Never perform surgery to please someone else, but only because you want to.
5.When is a person classified as an unsuitable candidate for cosmetic surgery?
Unsuitable candidates are those who wish to undergo cosmetic surgery not to feel better themselves, but because they are encouraged or forced (directly or indirectly) by third parties, and therefore their decision has been made under conditions of limited freedom. Also, people who have unrealistic expectations from cosmetic surgery or have placed all their hopes on improving various areas of their lives in their intervention. In these cases, they will not be able to derive positive feelings from the aesthetic operation, even if an excellent aesthetic result is achieved. In addition, there is also the possibility that during the pre-operative check-up some health problem will be detected that does not allow them to proceed with the operation, at least in this particular phase.
6.Is the choice of plastic surgeon important?
The specialty of plastic surgery requires the effective combination of scientific proficiency, surgical acumen and fluency in the use of new technologies. Therefore, the right choice of plastic surgeon is the most important factor for the success of your operation. Unfortunately today, many doctors of different specialties perform plastic surgery procedures. It is important to know that good basic surgical principles, acquired through years of surgical training, cannot be replaced by some after-the-fact experience. So remember that a doctor with experience without formal training is not the right one for you. Keep in mind that on the website of the Hellenic Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (www.hespras.gr) you will find all the accredited Greek plastic surgeons you can trust. Therefore, make sure that the plastic surgeon you end up with is a member of that particular company.
7.What should I expect from the pre-operative session?
A successful operation is a correctly planned operation, and this planning begins with the pre-operative session, which is an integral part of any operation and cannot be skipped under any circumstances. The pre-operative session is the ideal opportunity to appreciate your plastic surgeon and develop a quality and constructive collaboration with him. You can bring a friend or relative whose judgment you trust if you feel their presence will provide support. The plastic surgeon, along with your clinical examination, will complete your complete medical history. It is important to help the plastic surgeon personalize your case by informing him of your medical condition or any medications you are taking. After this procedure you will be explained the details of the operation, including possible risks and possible post-operative complications. Be wary of plastic surgeons who pressure you to have the operation, who try to quickly overcome the potential “pitfalls” of the operation, shirking the recovery period, or guarantee absolutely perfect results. Remember that absolute certainty or guarantees are big words in medicine and should never be taken lightly.
8.How much time is considered ideal for someone to undergo cosmetic surgery from the moment they visit the plastic surgeon for the first time?
This is different for each candidate and depends on how long they were thinking about the operation before seeing the plastic surgeon. If it is something he has been planning for years, his decision is mature and settled and his expectations are realistic, he can be operated on soon after the first visit, after he has been informed in detail about the operation and the necessary pre-operative check-up has been done.
9.I worry about my image after: maybe I look unnatural or “plastic” after the surgery. I don’t want others to understand my intervention. How will this be prevented?
Each of us has seen “bad” plastic surgery, which can be identified immediately: instead of improving the appearance, the person’s features are almost distorted or “frozen”. This can only happen in cases where the sense of proportion is violated and excessive changes are made in relation to the capabilities of a body or when surgeries are performed based on standards. One of our personal values is respect for uniqueness and the use of the most modern methods and materials of Plastic Surgery to achieve natural aesthetic results. Our goal is, through the interventions, the naturalness of the human face and the harmony of the body, as well as avoiding the “overcorrected” or “artificial” appearance. However, it is very important to make your expectations clear in the pre-operative period.
10. From an early age I wanted to solve an aesthetic problem, but my worries about the operation do not let me go ahead. How will I be helped and ensure maximum post-operative satisfaction?
Your concern is justified, since the feature you want to improve does not cause you symptoms – you are not a patient – and you hesitate to enter a surgical procedure. We also understand your fears and misgivings, since the philosophy of my practice is the holistic and person-centered approach to candidates for plastic surgery. Beyond the medical part, your feelings, thoughts and concerns are taken seriously and used for the personalization and success of your intervention. You are offered the time to “unfold” your emotional state and inner concerns and the ability to move from “before” to “after” free of negative emotions. In addition, if you wish, through the personal counseling service (life coaching) – at no cost to you – you are given the opportunity to effectively manage both the pre- and post-operative process and to discuss your plastic surgery experience. Positive emotions and a good mood work as “allies” for easier recovery, a successful aesthetic result and its utilization to highlight your identity and improve your quality of life.
11.Is the plastic surgery procedure painful?
It depends on the operation to be done. In the cases of operations with local anesthesia, the anesthetic ensures your comfort and the absence of pain, although you may feel a subtle sensation of pressure in the operated area. If you are given anesthesia with alcohol then you will be in a calm, sleep-like state for most of the operation. With this type of anesthesia most people wake up and the first thing they say is “is it over yet? I thought it hadn’t started yet.” In operations that require general anesthesia, the anesthetist takes care of your monitoring and safety, without you of course being aware of the operation process. After surgery, any pain sensation is usually well controlled with medication and gradually subsides over days. What must be emphasized, of course, is that pain is a subjective feeling and each person’s tolerance to pain is different.
12.What happens if something goes wrong or I’m not happy with the results?
Complications can occur in any surgery, despite the best efforts of both the plastic surgeon and the patient to minimize them. Volatile factors, which have to do with living tissues, can bring about a not entirely desirable result. Post-operative follow-up and care are as important to us as the pre-operative period and procedure, and our pleasure is to ensure your increased post-operative satisfaction. If after finalizing the result, this is not what is desired for both of us – even if realistic expectations were set in the pre-operative session and post-operative instructions were followed – I am at your disposal for discussion and re-evaluation of the situation. If objectively there is scope for surgical manipulations in order to improve the aesthetic result, I will gladly provide my surgical services again.
13.If after some time I decide not to continue the repetition of non-surgical procedures (botulinum toxin injections, hyaluronic acid fillers, mesotherapy) will it be easy to stop or will my face be in a worse condition than before?
If you decide to stop repeating any non-surgical procedure you can do so whenever you want. Not only will your face not be in a worse condition than before, but on the contrary you will have “gained” years, since your skin will be kept in good condition. In addition, if you decide to proceed with a new procedure, surgery this time, such as a face lift, a significant benefit, which the non-surgical procedures will have offered you until then, is that the changes in your face after the surgery intervention will not be too intense and thus the difference of “before” and “after” in your environment will not be very noticeable.
14.What is the relationship between men and cosmetic surgery?
Cosmetic surgery has ceased to be a “taboo” for men as well. The number of cosmetic procedures performed on men has increased dramatically in recent years. Blepharoplasty, abdominal liposuction, and gynecomastia surgery are the most common procedures men request, since the eyelids and midsection are among the first places to show signs of aging. However, rhinoplasty, hair transplantation, and non-invasive techniques, such as injectable materials on the face, remain particularly popular, since men are increasingly interested in remaining competitive and at a professional level. All these operations are termed “Daddy Do-Over”, which encompasses a range of cosmetic enhancements sought by middle-aged men.
