Dr. Chethan Kumar Navilehal, mumbai trained board certified plastic surgeon practicing in shivamogga since 3 years with more than 11 years of experience backing his expertise in the field of plastic surgery . He is working as consultant in sarji super specialty hospital , shares his perspectives on ‘ beauty and plastic surgery’.
1. What fascinates you most about being an aesthetic surgeon?
We create or try to create, works of art using a medium that is as fascinating as challenging – the human body and human face .
In contrast to other fields of medicine, everything we sculpt is immediately transparent and visible to patient and their family. We perform a ‘surgery of emotions’.
Our work is a continual balancing act ,without routines and is full of unpredictable factors - woundhealing ,psychological acceptance, reasons behind operation, patient’s social events.
2. Which areas do you specialisein?
After completing MBBS degree and speciality degree in general surgery (MS) ,i was in Mumbai to perceive MCH plastic surgery.
I have worked as fellow in hand and brachial plexus surgery .
Apart from reconstructive work, I am passionate about aesthetic surgery of face –rhinoplasty (nose job), face lift , hair transplantation ,eyelid surgery.
Body contouring -liposuction, abdominoplasty(tummy tuck ), breast reduction , breast implants.
My last 3 years of practice in shivamogga had been unique and diverse .
More and more people here are seeking out help of cosmetic surgeons.
Our objective here at sarji hospital , is to give people more self esteem through body transforming surgeries .
3. What is your concept of Beauty?
I don’t have set one, I discourage a stereotypical concept of beauty .
For example ,two women can look completely different yet both can be beautiful. Beauty is individual and subjective.
In face, beauty is all about symmetry, proportions and harmony.
Beauty consists of subtle asymmetries, not flawlessness.
True beauty is more than good looks, it has spiritual and devinedimension .
4. What does aging mean to you?
Over the years men as well women change physically and psychologically .Age is a matter of feeling, not of years.
Aging doesn’t have to be an enemy. Plastic surgery enables someone to look refreshed and better .Person can still look good and beautiful at any age of life.
5. Do you think beautiful people are happiest and lead more fulfilled lives ?
I think more beautiful person has more opportunities in many aspects .
Studies have shown that attractive people are treated more favourably than unattractive person .However ,that does not imply that a beautiful person is happier or has a better life.
Happiness is internal and life is what you make of it .
6. What does the future hold for aesthetic surgery ?
Very soon , most of the procedures are becoming less invasive , scars will be smaller or gone all together . Many procedures increasingly taking place outside the operation theatre on daycare basis . Also have become affordable .
Genetic research is introducing new forms of treatment for old problems .Who knows ..?, may be someone will soon discover the anti-aging gene !
7. How unique is plastic surgery from other surgical specialties of medicine ?
Plastic surgery ,at least in my opinion, is the most creative and problem solving specialty of medicine. In other surgical specialties , where specific techniques are taught for a problem , plastic surgeon learns principles , because there are different solutions to a problem .
Thus each surgeon decides the best approach to a problem depending on his prejudices , imagination , training and experience. Each surgeon can – within reason- explore his creativity .
