November 06, 2009 17:40 PM

More Malaysians Concerned With Their Appearance

By Ravichandran D.J Paul

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysians could one day prove that they are one of the most aesthetically blessed people in the world joining the ranks of their Brazilian and Swedish counterparts if the number of patients seeking consultation for cosmetic surgery is anything to go by.

It appears that the advent of Internet has provided Malaysians with knowledge on the options to improve their appearance and self-confidence.

At the same time over the last decade there were great improvements in cosmetic surgical techniques and implants where the complications were reduced along with the cost.

Today, with the available techniques and implants plastic surgeons can create great faces and figures that one always dreamed off. Due to the cost involved, cosmetic surgery was once the privilege of the rich and famous but now is accessible to most people.

But wait, those contemplating cosmetic surgery need to be reasonable in the expectations as pointed out by leading plastic surgeons from three continents during a press conference, the prelude for the two day inaugural Asian Breast Aesthetic Symposium (ABAS) that began Friday.

MORE MALAYSIANS CONTEMPLATING

A consultant plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon at Penang's Loh Guan Lye Specialist Centre Dr Lee Kim Siea receives up to 20 new appointments for consultation per week.

"If you make an appointment with me now, you can only see me in one and half months time," said Dr Lee when met after the press conference..

Dr Lee notes that there is definitely an increase in the number of people undergoing cosmetic surgery but because there is no official registry and there are some gray areas as beauticians too conduct certain cosmetic procedures, no official figures are available.

"During the last economic downturn the number of people seeking cosmetic surgery dropped, maybe by 5-10 percent, but mostly for costlier surgeries like breast augmentation. However, it is picking up now."

Dr Lee states that to augment and shape up the breast it may cost between RM10,000 and RM16,000 with most of the patients being Chinese followed by Indians and Malays.

Dr Lee who was the former secretary of the Malaysian Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons, or MAPACS said the technique for breast augmentation is well established and the results are predictable. The recovery period too is faster where you can get back to work and drive within a week.

A job well done can last for 20-30 years or otherwise re-operation is inevitable and that is why it is very important that the patient chooses a certified and competent surgeon.

COSMETIC SURGERY

Meanwhile, Dr Charles Randquist, a world renowned plastic surgeon from Sweden is the man behind ABAS.

As for Dr Randquist, he firmly believes due to the sheer population size Asia is bound to be in the forefront of cosmetic surgery when comes to numbers. But then for this surgeon who trains doctors from all over the world, it is not about the numbers but it is all about quality.

"As for example breast augmentation done with implants is a good way in improving the quality of life but less good when there is complication or when re-operation is needed.

"When the patient is not matured, or there no indication but only desire in seeking cosmetic surgery, it is best the doctor advises the patient not to consider surgery because of the risks involved.

"Thus for the cosmetic surgery the best ones are the ones that we don't do," he quipped reminding the people that the surgery should only be an option if there is a real necessity.

Dr Randquist pointed out that the seminar at the Gleneagles Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, which includes life surgeries, is to share knowledge in the latest techniques with 60 leading surgeons and opinion makers in this field in Asia.

-- BERNAMA

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