Nip/ Tuck, Suck and Plump

The thorny issue of weight always seems to inadvertently lead to talk of cosmetic surgery, and the good, bad and ugly of said process. You would be hard pressed to find a magazine in Nigeria or the world over where there is no advert for cosmetic surgery, some new story about who has or who hasn’t had it, and why you should have it or alternatively why you should not have it. On many cable channels this trend is also seen from Extreme Makeover, The Swan, Beverly Hills Surgeon, and Desperate Housewives all have gone a long way in glamorising or vilifying cosmetic surgery. Whatever your personal opinion might be on the subject, cosmetic surgery is a growth industry. From liposuction to rhinoplasty, stomach stapling and breast enlargement, cosmetic surgery is making its rounds around the world, and Nigeria is not immune to its some might say dubious charms.

Nigerians do not need to look far to find evidence of the danger of cosmetic surgery, our very own previous first lady Stella Obasanjo, fell victim to its charms and unfortunately ended up dead. While this might be the case it would behove me not the mention that while there are negatives to cosmetic surgery, many a great things have been achieved from it. Many of the implements used in general surgery today owes its creation to the fact that cosmetic surgeons needed smaller needles, and more discrete forms of cutting to create that perfect façade.

At the same time, the use of cosmetic surgery to fix cleft pallets, and the ability of cosmetic surgery to reinvigorate and validate people’s view of themselves is a benefit many do not see. In this ever changing world where everybody is seeking clarification and confidence, people see cosmetic surgery as the perfect avenue to reshape, replump and generally change all that needs to be changed about themselves. All this so they can live happier lives which at one time due to a wonky nose they could not. Some people go for cosmetic surgery to repair the damage life has wrought on them, others just decide to go under the knife because they want a tighter body. Either way, cosmetic surgery is now a way of life which is seen and accepted in commercials, comedy and serious dramas.

On my end I am ambivalent to the growth of cosmetic surgery, like many people both men and women, there are thing I don’t like about my body, and things I do. Like most, I have considered the option of cutting, splicing and getting rid of the unwanted bits, but so far I have stalled, I am not a big one for pain. I have asked myself, debated with friends, put out unofficial polls as to the advantages and disadvantages, but there doesn’t seem to be a consensus as to what should be done.

I believe fervently that if cosmetic surgery is the one thing that would make your life complete, do it, but don’t complain and say somebody pushed you to it. On the other hand if you are violently opposed to even something as simple as the use of a face scrub, do not get cosmetic surgery. All I can say despite the above is that the same God, who created medical surgeons to treat the sick, also created cosmetic surgeons the fix the body. So when you get some time on your hands, do a little experiment, and look to see who has had something done and who hasn’t. I will give you a little clue, if someone cannot move their forehead and make an expression other than surprise, they have had either a face lift, or a face full of botox. As for me, I am still contemplating the move, you never know it might be just what I always wanted but never knew how to ask for.