Toni-Ann Neita, Staff Reporter
WHEN the queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs looks in the mirror and asks, who is the fairest of them all, she was not happy with the mirror's response.
Like this fictional character, many people are not happy with what their mirrors are telling them but instead of some magic potion they choose the magic of cosmetic surgery.
It may be that you are unhappy with your nose, the size of your breasts or those not so lovable 'love handles'. On the other hand, you may have noticed that gravity, years of sun exposure and life's stresses have taken their toll. You are still attractive but your face appears droopy, your jaw line has grown slack and flabby. You see deep creases between your nose and mouth where it was once smooth. Worst of all, in your estimation, is that unsightly bag under your chin. Even turtlenecks can't hide the extra skin hanging there!
Cosmetic surgery has been practised for centuries but in the early years of the speciality, the surgeon and patient would have to go to ground because it was seen as a "surgery for vanity". Surgery was felt to be acceptable only for life-saving purposes. It wasn't until the World War I era, when the paradigm of medicine, particularly surgery, shifted from life-saving to life-enhancing, that cosmetic surgery began to gain acceptance.
The long and short of it is that physical beauty has become an alterable quality, the pursuit of which is far more affordable here in Jamaica than many of us think.
In Jamaica
"As far as cosmetic surgery goes, it has been steadily expanding here in Jamaica," says a prominent, local cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon. Many people are unaware that this speciality has been available and practised in this country from as early as the 1960s and maybe even the late 50s, and a good deal was done even at that time.
"For many years the view in this country, and the rest of the world, was that it was a 'surgery for the elite'. Over the years I think it has gradually changed and in the last decade, in particular, there have been dramatic changes with it now being sought after by a broad cross-section of the Jamaican society," he explains.
He attributes this to the fact that there are more plastic surgeons available in the island now (there are currently six practising surgeons), greater awareness and acceptance, and a new emphasis on health and anti-ageing procedures. "People are living longer and are healthier. The result is that the brains and the minds are much younger than the body."
In my opinion, another reason could be that Jamaicans are beginning to realise that cosmetic surgery doesn't cost 'car money'. Based on prices quoted for various cosmetic procedures in the United States, I and many of my fellow Jamaicans had been of the opinion that these procedures cost at least half a million dollars. So imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when my investigations revealed that no single procedure, here in Jamaica, exceeds $180,000, including hospital costs, materials, surgical fees, implant fees (where appropriate) and even follow-up care. Some procedures are even as low as $10,000! No wonder more Jamaicans are undergoing these cosmetic procedures.
In fact, our costs here in Jamaica are quite competitive -up to 50 per cent less than in the United States, in some cases. For example, there is a popular procedure that costs US$5,000 (J$237,500) while the average range for the same procedure here, performed by our equally qualified and highly skilled surgeons, is only J$80,000 to $160,000.
Perhaps this disparity in costs, in our favour, is evidenced by the fact that our local cosmetic surgeons report getting a fair amount of interest and clients from overseas. "Certainly people from the Caribbean and Afro-Caribbeans in the U.S. are utilising our services," says one such surgeon. Others have travelled from as far away as Europe.
Costs here are based on guidelines offered by the Association of Surgeons.
Saving face
There is a wide range of procedures available for both women and men. Yes, you heard me - men too! Although women, by far, are still in the majority, Jamaican men are also "going under the knife".
Starting from the top we have the well-known facelift. The facelift or rhytidectomy is an operation done to tighten the loose skin of the face and neck. It is most often performed on men and women over the age of 40.
Next we have the eyes - "the windows to the soul" as the saying goes. Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery corrects drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat, skin and muscle.
Then there is the whole business of wrinkles on the face. Many Jamaicans might be excited to know that the latest wrinkle fighting technology, Botox injections (which you may have heard of or seen on television), are available here. This procedure, like many of the injectable procedures, may have to be repeated but is reported to be quite effective. It works by paralysing the nerves that cause wrinkles.
Chemical peels are another procedure that helps to restore wrinkled skin. It is a chemical solution that peels away the skin's top layers and is also used to treat blemished, unevenly pigmented, or sun-damaged facial skin.
Nose surgery, rhinoplasty or a 'nose job' involves reshaping of the nasal profile, for example reducing or increasing size, removing a hump, narrowing the span of the nostrils and so on.
Not to be forgotten are the lips. Lips are generally enlarged or reduced or simply re-contoured. Enlargement is usually achieved by collagen or fat injections although our local surgeons express a preference for fat injections for adding fullness to lips, and wherever else appropriate.
The body
There are various procedures that can be grouped into the category of body contour surgery.
Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Some women don't have to worry about sagging because their breasts are too small, while others have larger breasts than they can manage. With cosmetic surgery the breasts can be lifted (breastlift or mastopexy), enhanced (breast augmentation/ enlargement), or reduced. Size, height, and nipple differences can also be corrected.
While the majority of cosmetic procedures are not covered by health insurance, some breast reductions are covered due to the fact that enlarged breasts can cause physical problems. Breast reductions, on average, can cost up to $160,000.
Adominoplasty, better known as the 'tummy tuck', is another surgical procedure which falls under this broad heading. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen, and the tightening of the muscles of the abdominal wall, thereby dramatically reducing the appearance of a protruding abdomen. The surgery is particularly helpful for distortions from pregnancy. It is rare for a patient who has not had a pregnancy to require a full abdominoplasty, according to one local surgeon. Instead they may benefit more from the next type of procedure- liposuction.
Liposuction, which has many alternative names including suction assisted lipolysis, is a surgical technique used to contour the body by removing excess fatty tissue, especially exercise-resistant fat deposits. Commonly targeted areas include the arms, under the chin, thighs, abdomen, love handles, hips, buttocks and back. According to a few past-clients who slimmed down using this technique, liposuction on average ranges from about $30,000 to $70,000 depending on the area tackled and the amount of work that has to be done.
All of these are medical procedures and therefore carry with them various risks and so it is important to seek proper consultation and make careful consideration.
And the winner is...
In one surgeon's estimation, liposuction heads the list of the most commonly requested and performed procedure in Jamaica. Next would be surgeries on the breasts, closely followed by the urge for flat tummies and then facial rejuvenation procedures.
Here in Jamaica, buttocks are a cherished property and so not as many people get their derrieres rectified as in other countries. And as for collagen or fat injections, to plump out those caved-in spots, demand worldwide has reportedly fallen in recent years, following the surge of popularity a few years ago when enlarged lips were "all the rage". In Jamaica lip reduction is more commonly requested than enlargement, and has probably always been so.
No longer the private domain of wealthy women, cosmetic surgery is rapidly becoming an affordable option. It can fulfil many needs and give patients a level of satisfaction that other solutions cannot often provide. There is no need to explain or justify this type of surgery. Whether you want to improve your appearance, feel better about yourself, perhaps look less tired or more youthful, the choice is yours and yours only.
