Cosmetic Surgery : The Artistic Side of Medicine?
It is mankind’s essential nature which entails self-improvement. Without an individual’s pursuit of learning and enlightenment, progress would stop. It’s only natural we as human beings, will never stop to seek self-fulfillment through self-improvement. This is where plastic surgery comes in to improve and restore form and function. It may be one of the world’s oldest healing arts.
The history of plastic surgery reaches back to the ancient times. There is written evidence that cite medical treatment for facial injuries dating more than 4,000 years ago. Physicians in ancient India including the great Indian surgeon Susrutha were utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive work as early as 800 B.C. and performed nose reconstructions, using portions of the forehead, during periods where amputation of the nose was a punishment for certain crimes.
The Romans were able to perform simple techniques such as repairing damaged ears from around the first century B.C.Heinrich von Pfolspeundt in the mid-15th century Europe removed skin from the back of the arm and sutured it in place. However due to dangers associated with surgery which involved the head or face, it wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that such surgeries became widely accepted.
The driving force behind most plastic surgery developments during the late 1800s and early 1900s was war ,which saw horrific injuries inflicted on its participants. In fact it was World War 1 that catapulted plastic surgery into a higher realm. Never before had physicians been required to treat so many and extensive facial and head injuries.
The word “plastic” is derived from the Greek word “plastikos” which means “to mold” or to “give form”.The word “plastic” is derived from the Greek word “plastikos” which means “to mold” or to “give form”. Plastic surgery includes both reconstructive and aesthetic (commonly referred to as cosmetic surgery) sub-specialty. The former restores physical form and function after diseases, accidents or congenital defects whereas the latter enhances appearance.
By definition, plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery, as it is now commonly known, refers to a subspecialty of medicine and surgery that uniquely restricts itself to enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideals. It is a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach to all areas of the body.
Cosmetic surgery is as much a surgery for the soul as well as for the body. It is a therapy which essentially targets the psychology of the patient. This preserves and restores the health of the patient overall. A plastic surgeon’s concern is usually of his patient as a whole and a human being as opposed to only specific areas and parts of his or her body.
One may say that cosmetic surgery is an art in medicine. Synergy between art and plastic surgery can be cleverly used to achieve a patient’s desires. An artistic approach could add dimension to a surgeon’s skill. If this is true, then an artistic cosmetic surgeon is the one to seek. However, one may also argue that the artistic skills of a surgeon are a result of accumulated clinical experience over time.
An artistic approach to cosmetic surgery requires a surgeon to not only give more attention to every minute detail, but to also have the ability to envision the results. Combining expertise, technology, sensitivity and artistic approach is crucial to achieve the most natural-looking results possible. A sense of balance and proportion will give that harmonious look; an aesthetically pleasing and youthful appearance. At the end of the day, whether clinical or artistic approach is being used in cosmetic surgery it is safe to say that every surgeon would want to achieve a total well-being for their patients; one of happiness, fulfillment and peace of mind, body and soul.
Dr Norazlin Moktar
