COSMETIC SURGERY TO CORRECT DEFECTS

It was a sad picture of a baby with a cleft palate. But you turn the picture and hey presto, there is a happy picture of the baby with a normal mouth and nose. How had this miracle come about? Through the skilful hands of a paediatric plastic surgeon.

“You need surgery due to congenital defects, severe trauma or for cosmetic reasons,”explained Dr.Dulip Perera, Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Colombo National Hospital. Along with Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr.Thushara Beneragama, he was holding a Press Conference to explain their work speciality at the “Lanka Hospitals” auditorium on 31st January 2013. “Ours is a multi-disciplinary department and I introduced Cranio-facial Surgery.” Said Dr.Dulip. He said that “Lanka Hospitals” had the best post-operative care and that it was up to date standard care. He pointed out that if an injury happened out of Colombo, usually there was hasty stitching which might leave an ugly scar. He advised patients to ask for a plastic surgeon and have a long-term plan which would lessen the scar.

Dr.Thushara said that if there was Radiotherapy in the case of Breast Cancer, secondary plastic surgery could be performed. This enabled immediate reconstruction after a Mastectomy(removal of breast) He said that in Sri Lanka, one in ten women could be suffering from Breast Cancer.

The specialists also referred to “Tummy Tuck” also known as Abdominoplasty to remove excess fat and skin fromthestomach area. Cosmetic Surgery includes Botox fillers for wrinkles and to make the lips fuller. Then there is Eyelid surgery and Rhinoplasty or a Nose Job. Otoplasty means Ear Surgery specifically ear pinning closer to the head.

The doctors warned that in Sri Lanka there were many who operated without responsibility and that it was important to consult doctors who were registered with the Medical Council.