Medical experts have warned Nigerians against taking cosmetic surgery procedures lightly, noting that not everyone is medically fit for the surgery.
The experts noted that cosmetic surgery could lead to death, warning that individuals with undiagnosed medical conditions such as hypertension, heart diseases, sickle disease and diabetes, could die from the procedure.
The health professionals who disclosed this exclusively to PUNCH Healthwise said people desiring to have cosmetic surgery should research the procedure and the personnel, warning that they should also not believe everything they read on the internet.
An Associate Professor, at the Plastic Surgery Unit, College of Medicine, University Of Lagos, Bolaji Mofikoya, told our correspondent that people might also die from the procedure if it was done in a properly equipped facility with untrained personnel.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, plastic surgery includes surgical and nonsurgical procedures that enhance and reshape structures of the body to improve appearance and confidence.
Speaking further with our correspondent, Prof. Mofikoya also observed that poor patient selection could lead to negative outcomes while giving insight into the various risks associated with the procedure when perform on the buttocks, belly, and breasts especially when performed by quacks.
He urged people planning to go for cosmetic surgery to know their health status before embarking on it.
The don, however, said cosmetic procedures when done on the right person, by a trained professional team, in the right centre was usually safe.
The plastic surgeon explained, “Undergoing a cosmetic procedure should not be taken lightly. There have been rare instances where death can occur following cosmetic surgery and any other kind of surgery in Nigeria as well as all other countries in the world.
“This may be due to, an undiagnosed medical condition, procedures done in places not properly equipped, procedures by untrained personnel and poor patient selection. Poor patient selection means those who are not fit but want the surgery at all costs.
“Undiagnosed medical conditions that may be dangerous include hypertension, sickle disease, diabetes, and patients with heart disease.
“My advice to anyone seeking cosmetic procedure is to research the procedure, research the personnel (don’t believe everything you read on the internet!!).
“Find out about the facility, find out about the anaesthesia/anaesthetist staff, know about your health status, and ask the person if the procedure you want is suitable and safe for you. Please always ask questions, ask about recuperation times, and ask about the dos and don’ts after the surgery.
An online health portal, Mayo Clinic says though all surgeries, including cosmetic procedures, carry risk, people with certain health conditions might have serious complications undergoing cosmetic surgery.
“If your body mass index is 30 or higher (obesity) or you have diabetes, you might be at higher risk of developing complications such as blood clots in the legs or lungs. Smoking also increases risks and interferes with healing.
“Despite being informed and prepared, you might be surprised by the bruising and swelling that follow cosmetic surgery and how long they last”, the clinic said.
On breast enlargement or reduction, Prof. Mofikoya said there was no scientific evidence that plastic surgery causes breast cancer
He, however, said, “The procedure of breast reduction (in women with very large breasts) has the possibility of affecting the sensation of the nipple area thereby impairing breastfeeding.
“But this is not in every woman. Breast enlargement (augmentation mammoplasty) usually does not affect breastfeeding ability.
“Like every other surgical procedure, it is important to be aware of the risks of exposure to anaesthesia. The immediate risks include bleeding excessively from the surgery site, and varying degrees of tissue necrosis (death) which may lead to wound breakdown as well as infection.
“I must, however, emphasise that the risk of these are low for properly selected patients in the hands of a trained plastic surgeon.”
For buttocks surgery, the plastic surgeon said the risks include pain, swelling in the buttocks, and a higher risk of infection.
Prof. Mofikoya, noted, “There is also the danger of fat emboli (fat lobules entering the bloodstream and lungs) when lipofilling is done in more than recommended amounts under certain circumstances. This condition is potentially life-threatening.
“The restriction of not sitting for days and avoiding physical activity is often recommended for several days after surgery.
Concerning abdominoplasty or ‘tummy tuck”, the plastic surgeon stated, “The likely complications are related to the bleeding, infection and tissue death which can lead to wound breakdown in the early period after surgery.
“There are very few long-term deleterious effects aside from excessive scarring in certain individuals. On a general note, the procedure is often advised to be done after childbearing has been completed.”
He further said the risks associated with cosmetic procedures on the arms, back, face or any other part of the body were related to the risk of anaesthesia itself as well as the risk of the surgical procedure itself.
“However, in procedures in which implants have been placed, sometimes after a long time in the body they may migrate (shift) and need a revision,” he added.
Prof. Mofikoya urged those planning to go for the procedure to do the needful by having a good knowledge and understanding of the procedures they are going for.
Recall that in June 2022 a lady, identified simply as Crystabel, died after surgery at the Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Clinics, in the Mende area of Maryland, Lagos State.
PUNCH Healthwise gathered that Crystabel visited the medical facility on Okunola Aina Street, Mende, for plastic surgery.
A lady, identified simply as Posha, said the victim died from the complications she had during the surgery.
Posha, who tweeted using her handle, @poshcupcake_1, said aggrieved friends and family members of the victim had been demanding justice for her.
She wrote, “Now, I’m not against anybody that wants to enhance their body, but I’m against doctors that claim they have experience abroad, come down to Nigeria to kill young people.
“After the surgery, she complained of bleeding and the doctors claimed (it) is normal, it will stop.”
Similarly, in 2020, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission arraigned a Lagos-based cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, whose services allegedly resulted in the death of one Mrs. Nneka Onwuzuligbo.
Adepoju, alongside her hospital, Med Contour Services Limited, was arraigned for allegedly obstructing the investigation by the FCCPC into the case.
Earlier in an interview, a renowned professor of psychology, Fagboungbe Oni, said plastic surgery should be discouraged.
He said, “There are so many factors involved in this; the first one is the technological factor. Those who discovered it will want to make a profit from it by encouraging people to come and patronise them
“The psychological aspect has to do with self-satisfaction; everybody has an idea of how they want to look. Some people look at themselves in the mirror and see inadequacies. Some women may think their breasts are too small or feel their friends have more admirers because of their voluptuous bodies.
In a 2018 study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the surgeons said patients undergoing combined procedures were at higher risk of complications.
They noted that other risk factors were higher body mass index, larger volumes of liposuction, and longer surgical times.
SOURCE: PUNCH