Good plastic surgery – what is it?
The harsh reality of a surgeon's life is that even when you try your hardest and give your absolute best effort, you may still fail. This is especially true in aesthetic surgery, as it involves much more than just patient's physical discomfort. It has been shown that well-performed aesthetic surgery also improves mental and social well-being. At its best, aesthetic surgery improves quality of life and gives you an extra boost to cope with everyday life.
What is good surgery like?
It goes without saying that good surgery does not involve any problems during or after the operation – however inevitable they may sometimes be. Of course, surgical techniques and care are designed to be as safe as possible, but despite this, there is always a possibility of complications: inflammation and post-operative bleeding are the most common ones.
In aesthetic surgery, there is also a risk that the outcome of the operation will not be as expected. It is not enough for the surgeon to be satisfied with the result, but rather the essential aspect is that the patient feels they have got what they wanted. The defect must be visible and correctable with a scalpel. The doctor and patient must understand each other and speak a language that is clear and unambiguous to both.
Beauty is culturally relative. In Finnish culture, it is considered that plastic surgery should not be visible to others. Surgery is done for oneself. In many countries, the opposite is true; neighbors should be able to see from a block away that a woman has invested the equivalent of a Cadillac in new breasts and a perpetually smiling lips.
The result of the cut should not only be natural but also long-lasting.
Of course, it is important to remember that no surgery can stop time and aging.
Plastic surgery should always result in scars that are as invisible and small as possible. However, surgery cannot be performed without leaving scars, and scarring is individual. Humans are not machines that always respond in the same way to repairs. The end result depends not only on the surgeon but also on individual characteristics. You cannot influence your genes, but high-quality care is within your power to choose.
Asko Salmi
Specialist in Surgery and Plastic Surgery
