It’s not either or: Exercise Vs Plastic Surgery

This is probably my most controversial article to date, and by no means should it be assumed that i am promoting unnecessary Plastic surgery. In fact the purpose of this article is to make us all aware of the importance of exercise, whether you are considering going under the knife or not.

It is not news that Africans have now begun to adopt the culture of plastic surgery, and have started undergoing rigorous surgical procedures to enhance their appearance. We have all heard horror stories of how plastic surgery has claimed the lives of a number of individuals for example Stella Obasanjo and Donda West (Kanye West’s Mother). In some ways, these disasters could have been prevented.

How? – Yes by Exercise!

Firstly, I’ll go on to define Plastic surgery. Plastic surgery has two branches, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is concerned with improving the aesthetic appearance of a person through surgical procedures, and reconstructive plastic surgery is concerned with improving function; either by correcting a physical abnormality or enhancing normal appearance. The latter is more risky..

Most people who consider reconstructive surgery such as liposuction and tummy tuck, have excess skin which is often the result of losing an extreme amount of weight. Some people can lose a lot of weight and not have any excess skin while others are the exact opposite. It is important to bear in mind that when you lose an extreme amount of weight, you are not only losing body fat, but losing lean muscle mass as well, which contributes to the “flabby” appearance of excess skin.

Any surgical procedure is quite taxing on the body. Most procedures would involve making incisions on your body, loss of blood and other aspects, which a normal body is not used to. If you undergo any kind of cosmetic surgery, you will need to be in the best of health so that your body can recover as quickly as possible and at the same time fight any possible risks.

If you are considering plastic surgery, then you need to know exercise is imperative before doing so. People who are active and fit are able to withstand a lot more pressure on their bodies as their immune system is that much stronger. Without strong immunity, you not only run the risk of long recovery times, you also run risks that could end up creating permanent damage to your body including death in some cases. By implementing aerobic and weight training along with proper stretching into your daily routine, your body will be fit for surgery. There is also the advantage of a strengthened heart, firmer body, and rapid post-surgery recovery.

A qualified and reputable plastic surgeon would advise his or her patient to consider a healthy diet and exercise in favour of surgery. In fact, many plastic surgeons would refuse operation without a good or appropriate medical history. If preliminary tests show that you are unhealthy, under certain medications, have history of health related issues including health conditions that affect your immune system, then you are not a good candidate for most plastic surgery procedures.

Below are five ways that will help you prevent or reduce excessive skin after extreme weight loss and also, help achieve the physical appearance you are craving:

• Nourish and exfoliate your skin daily. This will encourage elasticity and circulation to help tighten your skin.

• Don’t lose the weight all at once. Find a diet and exercise routine that you can handle and focus on losing two pounds per week.

• Aloe vera extract, cucumbers, tomatoes, and coconut can improve your skin’s elasticity by increasing your body’s production of elastin and collagen.

• Drink a lot of water and eat a high-protein diet. This help keeps the body and muscles hydrated and prevents the loss of lean muscle mass.

If you are seriously considering plastic surgery, you need to consult a doctor. Certain exercises may be recommended for specific cosmetic surgery procedures. Your surgeon may also advise on post surgery exercises, which you need to start once the initial healing is completed. The typical full post-surgery recovery time is around four to six months.

Remember exercise is the best and safest way to improve the appearance of the body, so before you take that leap into the world of plastic surgery, pause to think, “Have I considered exercise”.


Debby Soetan

Health risks of Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery procedures are on the rise amongst Nigerians living in Nigeria and in the diaspora. Women are not alone when it comes to surgical enhancements, Men seek such procedures too although they are more common among women. With the advent of plastic surgery, more and more females are going under the knife to get drop dead gorgeous looks and whats more surprising is younger girls follow this trend too. There are a number of side effects of plastic surgery, even in the hands of a qualified professional. Just incase you are considering having one here are some side effects. Hopefully when you are done reading this you just might change your mind.

Reaction to Anesthesia: One of the side effects of plastic surgery is a negative reaction to anesthesia.Some individuals may take longer time waking up than expected while individuals with pre-existing conditions could have severe reactions on vital organs like the heart leading to death.

Infection:Individuals who undergo plastic surgery open themselves up to the possibility of getting infections because of unsanitary conditions in the operating room to contaminations after the procedure.Some infections slow down the healing process, others have been known to cause death

Sutures: Sutures if not closed properly can loosen and cause massive bleeding (internally and externally) and in worst case scenario, haemorrhages. In addition to causing bleeding, loose sutures need to be re-stitched which would need another surgery, possibly with permanent scars in the end.

Nerve Damage: Another side effect of plastic surgery is nerve damage or loss of feeling in the area of the body the procedure was performed on.

Fluid Buildup: medically referred to as seroma, occur in areas of the body where tissue has been removed. This condition usually disappears after a month. If it goes beyond that point, patients need to go back to their doctors.

Blood Clots: Are side effects on plastic surgery in which blood collects localized areas of the body. Doctors can drain the blood from these areas. Blood clots that occur in sensitive areas like the brain require dramatic treatments that could be dangerous and life-threatening. A major concern about these clots is how fast they break up and dissolve into the blood.There have been cases when undissolved blood clots have dislodged from the wounds and traveled to other parts of the body, causing serious harm in the form of heart attacks, strokes and brain damage.

Pain: A common side effect of plastic surgery is pain in the incision area, especially in procedures like breast implants and face lifts. These procedures require a lot of stretching of the skin.

Vomiting and Nausea: Definitely not so much of a concern when compared to other bigger issues, nausea and vomiting are very common after effects of cosmetic surgeries and can not be taken lightly, especially if you have a weak immune system.Most of the time an individual who has undergone cosmetic surgery feels nauseous due to the effect of the anesthesia that was administered during the procedure. This can be thwarted though if the individual opts for localized anesthesia that does not cause the same side effects as general anesthesia

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