Saturday, October 25, 2008

Cosmetic Surgery: From India With Love

By Herbert Reich

Plastic surgery is a term which covers various techniques employed by surgeons to correct physical abnormalities and improve the appearance of the patient. This is a practice which has a very long history - it has been practiced in some form or another for thousands of years. Plastic surgery used to be an exceedingly rare practice, but has now become a very common part of our lives.

There is documentation of plastic surgery procedures as far back as 2000 BC. In antiquity, plastic surgery was almost exclusively done to correct battle injuries or congenital defects, such as in the unfortunate event of a soldier having lost an ear in battle. Since anesthetic was unknown at the time, plastic surgery was not something done on a whim - the ancients were not dashing off to their plastic surgeons for a quick nip and tuck over the weekend.

The earliest historical records which we find pertaining to plastic surgery hail from India, where it had been practiced for millennia. British colonists were introduced to the procedure and their surgeons studied with Indian physicians. Dr. Joseph Constantine Carpue was one such surgeon, studying plastic surgery in India for two decades, eventually bringing the knowledge he had gained back to the west. Dr. Carpue performed the first documented plastic surgery in the western world in 1815. Sr. John Peter Mettauer brought plastic surgery to the United States shortly thereafter, performing the first plastic surgery in the United States in 1827 with his own custom surgical instruments.

The techniques of plastic surgery have advanced greatly since 1827 and have become increasingly common. With anesthesia being universally in use, plastic surgery has in fact become commonplace. Common procedures include lip injections, breast implants, dermabrasion, liposuction and laser surgery. There are plastic surgery procedures which can remove stretch marks, sagging, excess fat or hair - patients have a lot of options open to them today. Before going in for any surgical procedure, speak with a licensed plastic surgeon; these professionals can tell you about your options and tell you whether or not a plastic surgery procedure is best for your situation.

America now leads the world in plastic surgery technology. Even though the practice has its origins in India, the U.S. now can claim to be the leader in this field, being home to some of the world's most experienced plastic surgeons. Chicago is perhaps the best city for plastic surgery in the U.S., having a large number of experienced professionals in this field. If you are considering any procedure which falls under the umbrella of plastic surgery, Chicago is the city you should visit. There are many talented plastic surgeons in Chicago, make some calls and explore. - 15438

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