Rising Rate of Cosmetic Surgery in Nigeria: Pros and Cons
Cosmetic or otherwise, plastic surgery is becoming more and more popular among both men and women all over the world. It involves skilful alteration of just about any physical aspect of the body, from the shape of the body to the facial features.
It could be to treat medical issues or augment appearance. Cosmetics surgeons might perform procedures on patients’ face, neck, breasts, stomach, arms and legs. Reconstructive surgery repairs defect or injuries and restores function. It also enhances appearance for nonmedical reasons.
There are differences between cosmetic and plastic surgeries. While plastic surgery repairs defects or injuries from trauma and restores function and a natural-looking appearance, Cosmetic surgery enhances appearance for nonmedical reasons. It addresses physical features that make beneficiaries self-conscious.
The high rate of young Nigerians voluntarily putting themselves under the knife, undergoing cosmetic surgery seems to be all about appealing to one’s vanity and conforming to today’s unwarranted societal standards. It could however be more than that? Many Nigerians, young societal personalities, stars and upcoming professionals in different fields have subjected their body to this. While some were successful, some others, lost their lives in the process.
Recently, Punch Newspapers reported that a lady, identified simply as Crystabel, has died after surgery at the Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Clinics, in the Mende area of Maryland, Lagos State. Crystabel visited the medical facility on Okunola Aina Street, Mende, for plastic surgery. A lady, identified simply as Posha, said the victim died from the complications she had during the surgery.
In another development, Daily Post also reported that Nigerians took to their social media to condemn the cause of the death of a Nigerian businesswoman identify as Amelia Pounds, who reportedly died while undergoing body enhancement surgery. Amelia was reported to have passed away on Friday in New Delhi in India following complications during liposuction surgery.
People can undergo a facelift or other cosmetic treatments to get rid of wrinkles, age spots, and other blemishes to feel more youthful. Looking and feeling attractive can help improve confidence levels and self-esteem. It can also contribute to better interpersonal relationships, more social contact, and enhanced romantic lives.
A nose surgery can help alter the shape of the nose and make it appear better and can also help alleviate nasal problems like a deviated septum. Many patients have stated that they snore a lot less after undergoing cosmetic surgery of the nose. Breast enhancement can make beneficiary look and feel more attractive and more womanly while a tummy tuck or liposuction can help get rid of excess weight as well as reshape the body.
Additionally, aside the physical benefit of a visually attractive body shape, liposuction-induced reduction in body weight is better for the overall health of the person. People with normal weight are less likely to get afflicted with obesity-related diseases like cholesterol, cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, etc. Reduced body weight will also alleviate the pressure on the joints and ease joint stiffness and pain.
Breast enhancement and other plastic surgery improve the self-confidence and self-image. A more confident and attractive person is more likely to do well at the workplace and get the promotions and higher salaries that he/she strives for.
Cosmetic surgery is on the more expensive side. In Nigeria, you would need an average of 10,000 dollars or more, depending on the experience and facilities of the medical practitioner and outfit where it is to be done. It may, however, be noted that the cost of plastic surgery is declining with each passing day as supply increases to meet the demands.
Like all surgeries, liposuction, tummy tuck, breast enhancement, facelift, nose surgery, and tummy tuck come with side effects like bleeding, anesthesia reactions, pain, scarring and possibly death if unprofessionally handled. However, rapid innovations, better surgical techniques, state-of-the-art equipment, and specialized skilled surgeons have reduced scarring and other adverse effects to the minimum.
Cosmetic surgery and associated recovery time mean that people need to take time off work for these procedures. It may, however, be noted that use of new techniques and constant innovations in the field has significantly reduced healing times.
However, at Secured Naija, we opined that aside correctional plastic surgery due to medical issues, there is no beauty needs that should push a God creation to embark on cosmetics surgery. Beauty is not the physical appearance of our body, beauty is an inner factor that radiates to the outside world. Outer beauty is the responsibility of the carrier that could be achieved through disciplined lifestyles; healthy eating habits, regular exercises, regular medical check-ups, mental health and self-imposed happiness that is not subjected to trials of life.
In as much as we respect the opinions of the beneficiaries, we congratulated those whose procedure were successful while calling on those nurturing the thought of embarking on this process, to think twice. It is more reliable to build and maintain a natural beauty than an artificial ones which has expiry date or otherwise, needs regular maintenance with huge resources.
