Few years ago it was a taboo subject and one thought to be a preserve of the rich and mighty or performing stars.

But in the last four decades, plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes has become a favoured procedure of the middle income earners who are ready to save or take a loan to enhance their looks.

Although the word ‘plastic’ is used, the process does not involve grafting or pasting plastics or fake materials on the affected areas. The word originates from the Greek word plastikos, which means to form or mold.

So what is plastic surgery? It is a special type of operation that restores or improves the body structures and appearance.  The work of plastic surgeons is to augment a person’s self-image through either reconstructive or cosmetic (aesthetic) procedures; the two broad areas of plastic surgery.

Reconstructive surgery is designed to correct defects on the face or body  caused by things such as burns, cancer treatment especially cancer of the face or breast,  body parts damaged in accidents, and congenital abnormalities like cleft lips, palates, ear deformities, skull and hand deformities.

Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery on the other hand is an operation used to alter a part of the body of an individual in order to change his or her appearance. Leading celebrities such as singer Michael Jackson are some of those who changed their looks using cosmetic surgery.

Surgeons say the results of plastic surgery are rewarding and discernable to anybody who knew the person before. In Kenya, a number of famous women and men in both politics and economic spheres have had plastic surgery, making them look perpetually young.

Reducing  (reduction mammoplasty) or enlarging (augmentation mammoplasty) the breasts, tummy tucks, liposuction or reshaping the nose,  reducing excess breast tissue among men, and correcting certain birth marks, are some of the popular cosmetic surgeries.

In many countries, the profile of those who go for cosmetic surgery cuts across all classes and ages. In America for instance, about seven million people opted for cosmetic surgery in 2002.

Of these, 800,000 were men aged between 35 and 50 years who sought for liposuction, breast enlargement, eye lid surgery, nose surgery and breast reduction.

Like these men, the number of teenagers seeking cosmetic plastic surgery is also on the rise.

Reasons for wanting plastic surgery reflect the age dimensions. The older men and women say plastic surgery makes them look younger and translates into successful careers.

In addition,  it enables them stand out from the crowd or correct physical defects which make them feel uncomfortable and unattractive.

“I decided to go for breast reduction because they were turning off many men I had interest in,” says a lady who identified herself as Maryann from Buru Buru Estate.

For teenagers, the operation is viewed as a way of making them fit and look acceptable to their peers or friends. The most preferred surgeries among this group are breast reduction, acne scar treatment, ear surgery, breast enlargement, and reshaping of the nose (rhinoplasty).

Doctors are however unease to respond to the wishes of the teenagers because in some cases they are driven by emotions rather than the right reasons when they go for plastic surgery.

Surgeries such as nose surgery and breast augmentation are avoided by doctors when the clients are teenagers. Girls who want to enlarge their breasts have to be over 18 years since saline implants are approved for women above that age.

Only incases where the condition is justifiable, such as where one breast is larger than the other, can a plastic surgeon enlarge the breast of a minor.

Dr Stanley Khainga of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) says whenever plastic surgeons are confronted with a case where a teen wants to go through the process; they have to spend several hours talking to them to establish why they want the surgery.

But for both the teenagers and the adults, the plastic surgeon has to make sure they are able to understand the stress that comes with the surgery, says Dr Khainga.

The rule, notes Dr Daudi Tanga of KNH, is to counsel them on what to expect before, during, and after the surgery as well as the potential risks and the time taken to heal.

Doctors further advise individuals to consider the following things before undertaking a plastic surgery:

• Are you doing it for yourself or to please someone else like your husband, fiancé, or family members.
• What is your age, and is the body still going through the normal biological changes.
• Do not go into it expecting wonders as you may be disappointed if what you wanted is not achieved.
• Can your condition such as obesity be corrected by going through appropriate exercises, proper diet, and weight control rather than surgery? Instead of opting for Liposuction, for example, an individual can correct the problem with a proper diet and exercises.
• Is your need for plastic surgery being prompted by depression, or a distorted view of yourself? If that is the case, one needs to see a therapist to help manage his or her emotional problems before deciding whether or not to do plastic surgery.