The document discusses plastic surgery, its benefits and risks. It interviews a plastic surgeon, Dr. Ali Manafi, about his experience and views on plastic surgery. He notes that the most important factors for a successful procedure are choosing the right patient and surgical technique. While cosmetic surgery can improve self-esteem if done correctly, psychological disorders often underlie the desire for it and surgery will not satisfy patients with body dysmorphic disorder. Rhinoplasty is currently the most common cosmetic procedure performed.

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Plastic surgery, benefits and complications
Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:49:29
By Patricia Khashayar MD, Press TV, Tehran
Remaining young has long been one of man's aspirations; as a result, aesthetic surgeries have
become one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide especially in women.
Many believe the patients undergoing these surgeries did not really need any manipulation; low
self esteem and psychological disorders are thought to be the major reasons for undergoing
these operations.
We have asked a plastic surgeon about his experience in different types of plastic surgery, the
complications and the ways to improve the outcomes.
Dr Ali Manafi is a plastic surgeon. He has studied in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and is
now working as a faculty member.
He has passed several courses in aesthetic, plastic and Craniomaxillofacial surgery in the US and
Germany.
Q.You have been practicing facial plastic surgery for long time and have many years of
experience in this field. That's a great track record. How did you decide to become a plastic
surgeon and choose facial plastic surgery?
A. I love this field and I would have chosen it again if I had been able to start a new life;
however, I should mention that I have had a hard time to achieve the current position.
Becoming a successful plastic surgeon requires a good aesthetic sense at the same time; without
it the surgeon resembles a lifeless technician.
Q. How would you describe the work you do, in simple words?
A. Plastic surgery in simple words is making desirable and effective changes in various parts of
the body. For instance, the shape and function of the nose is improved during a rhinoplastic
surgery.
Several types of surgeries are performed in the field of plastic surgery; cosmetic and
reconstructive surgeries are the major types of plastic surgery. The latter is normally used to
repair congenital or acquired defects resulted from trauma or surgery.
Q. What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
A. During a cosmetic surgery, I am able to transform a deformed organ for example a humpy
nose to a marvelous one. In a reconstructive surgery, I reconstruct a deformity, giving the
patient a new look.
In general, restoring the patient's satisfaction with his or her appearance is the rewarding part of
my job.
Q. What is the most important factor in performing a successful procedure?
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A. The most important factor influencing the outcome of a surgery is choosing the right patient
and the appropriated surgical technique. Having aesthetic sense and sufficient experience also
play an important role in achieving the acceptable results; however, even if all other necessary
factors exist, satisfactory results could not be reached in wrong patients.
Q. Let's talk about a person who is considering cosmetic surgery: How do they evaluate
themselves to determine whether they're a good candidate?
A. A patient thinks he needs a cosmetic surgery, only if:
- He/She has a significant non-age related abnormality for example having a humpy or
malformed nose or jaw… These are also known as acceptable abnormalities.
- The malformations are the result of aging or other processes such as pregnancy and delivery.
Some malformations are secondary to prior surgeries, trauma and accidents.
-Mass media play an important role in increasing the individual insight of themselves and their
problems.
Q. Are there psychological factors and physical characteristics to consider?
A. Yes, many cosmetic surgeries are performed on individuals believed to have psychological
disorders. These disorders lead to dissatisfaction with the shape of different organs; body
dysmorphism is the most common disorder in a typical patient seeking cosmetic surgeries.
It should be noted that these patients will never satisfy with the result of the surgery; as a
result, surgery should be avoided in such patients. The best way is to refer them to a
psychologist.
Q. Many believe cosmetic surgery can help a person with poor self-esteem. To what extent does
having cosmetic surgery help improve a person's psychological health? Would you like to tell us
about any incident where surgery has helped a person immensely?
A. It's a good question to be asked. Cosmetic surgery helps improve the individual's self esteem
only if performed correctly and by an experienced surgeon.
Cosmetic surgeries change the patient's appearance and so have an important impact on the
patient's life especially in those who really care about their appearance.
For example I had a female patient who had divorced from his husband due to a malformed
nose. She was isolated and shy. She used various anti-depression drugs. After the surgery, her
life changed totally. The changes were remarkable. She began a new life with her new husband.
She became a successful active director and most important of all, she does not use drugs any
more.
Q. How do you evaluate the surgery to help your patient be realistic with their expectations?
A. This is the hardest part, you should predict the patient's expectation and decide whether the
surgical outcome will resolve these prospects or not. When you are not sure, it is recommended
to consume more time consulting the patient and increasing his insight, show him/her the results
of previous surgeries and confront him/her with similar cases.
These all helps you decide whether to operate the patient and, it would also help the patient
confront the reality.
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Q. What's the most typical side effect of plastic surgery that people should know about?
A. As with any surgery, plastic surgery entails some risks: reaction to anesthesia, infection,
hematoma, embolism and necrosis. Similar many other surgeries, hypertrophic scar is the most
important complication seen in cosmetic surgeries.
In addition, each type of surgery has its own specific complications. For instance, respiratory
complications are common following a complicated rhinoplasty.
Q. These days many people are choosing to have facial plastic surgery to look younger and more
attractive. Is there any procedure that is more popular than the others?
A. Rhinoplasty is the most frequent operation performed in this domain. In Iran, rhinoplasty is
the most common cosmetic operation performed. It could be asserted that Iran is one of the best
countries in this surgery. Iranian surgeons have sufficient experience and skill in this field and
the operation's outcomes are comparable to other countries.
It's noteworthy that this procedure plus others, including face lifting, peeling, laser (for
superficial wrinkles), filler injections (for deeper wrinkles) and alloplastic implants (for increasing
the chin and cheek's volume) as well as botox injections are known as facial rejuvenation
procedures.
PKH/RE
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