Bengaluru: For a 38-year-old diabetic, Vivek, mere act of walking had become a nightmare as a wound had developed in his foot, exposing him to a flood of personal and social issues. Every time he walked, the wound would not just hurt badly, but also bled. Eventually, he stopped going out, not only because of the pain, but also because of the nasty comments he received from the people.
Vivek, who was desperate, found a solution in plastic surgery, which was suggested by his friend. “I was admitted to the hospital on May 30, 2018 to get the plastic surgery done by Dr Smita. It took some time for the graft to get ready because of the difference in the shape of my leg. Once the surgery done, I was discharged and was asked to rest for 25-30 days,” he said.
Vivek is now a happy man. “I realised the need and acted on it. Now I feel much better. Those who ponder over whether such a surgery is necessary or not should not sit back and opt for it without any hesitation for a better quality of life.”
Talking to Deccan Chronicle on plastic surgery carrying a social stigma, Dr Smitha, Secretary of Karnataka association of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons, said, “People think cosmetic surgeries are expensive and are performed only at corporate hospitals. But that is not true. We help people get replacements done from top to toe and get back their normal shape.”
As the national plastic surgery day is being observed on July 15, Dr Smitha said that there is a general fear that plastic surgeries might not work. “Seeing the right doctor at the right time plays a vital role in plastic surgeries,” she said.
Dr Naveen, a plastic surgeon at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals, said, “People who nurture a stigma about plastic surgery have half-baked knowledge from the internet. We have a benchmark and we work towards getting things back to normal shape or at least on track. Only 10% of people do it for cosmetic purposes to enhance their beauty. It is a personal choice and there is nothing wrong with it.”
The Plastic Surgeons Association of Karnataka is organising an awareness campaign on plastic surgery on Sunday at Cubbon Park. It aims to clear several misconceptions about plastic surgery and to ensure that a maximum number of patients are reached out.
