Health
7 things to consider before having a cosmetic surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a type of plastic surgery that aims to improve appearance.
This includes liposuction, tummy tuck, facelift, breast augmentation and Brazilian butt lift (BBL). There has been a rise in plastic and cosmetic surgeries across the world as more women are willing to go under the knife just to have the perfect body. However, as with anything surgery, there are some important things and questions you need to consider before you make that move.
- Do your research
Before you rush to book an appointment, have you taken the time to do extensive research on the procedure you want to undergo? It is best to find out as much as possible about the procedure you want. This includes knowing the name of the procedure, what the procedure actually entails if the procedure is going to achieve the result you want and whether it is the correct procedure for the body part for which you are seeking enhancement.
- Check your surgeon’s qualifications and experience
Cosmetic surgery comes with a lot of complications and you need to be sure you are in safe hands. Ensure your plastic surgeon is board certified by the Board of Plastic Surgery. Ask how often your surgeon performs the procedure. This is not a question of specific numbers, it is about experience and expertise. Find out what your surgeon’s relationship is with the procedure you are seeking. If your selected surgeon isn’t board-certified in plastic surgery, or in the procedure you want to have performed, keep searching. Plastic surgeons must complete 50 hours of continuing medical education each year to ensure they’re up to date, take regular performance examinations, as well as record patient outcomes, to maintain their certification. Also, check reviews, and ask around for recommendations.
- Timing is key
You have to be healthy before undergoing cosmetic surgery. Make sure you disclose your entire medical history to your plastic surgeon. Your plastic surgeon can’t give an accurate assessment if you hide health problems e.g high blood pressure. Also, strive to be as physically fit as possible before surgery. For best results, consider waiting to have surgery after you are done with breastfeeding and you’ve completed your family.
- The cost
It is not news that cosmetic surgery doesn’t come at a cheap price. If cost is a concern, ask about financing options. Whether you are paying cash or you are financing your surgery, you have to really determine if you can afford plastic surgery. Are there other things in your life that will take a big hit if you put money toward plastic surgery? This is especially true if you are financing your surgery. Long after you’ve recovered, are you willing to still be paying off your surgery? You’ll still have to pay, even if the result is not exactly what you wanted or you have a complication.
- Recovery
The amount of time you’ll need to take off work and your activity restrictions will vary depending on your procedure, how long surgery takes if you’ll have a hospital stay, and the type of anaesthesia used. Depending on your procedure, you may need days or even weeks to recover. You will need time off to recover after your procedure. And it isn’t just the initial aches, pains, and bruising, that you will experience, but after those have faded you may still have restrictions ordered by your plastic surgeon. Sometimes achieving your goals may involve more than one procedure to refine the results. Following your post-op instructions to the letter will ensure a smoother recovery and a better result. Ask about your recovery, especially the first 24-48 hours. Ask when you will be able to return to work, when you can return to strenuous activity such as exercise, and how long until you should start to see your final results.
- Know the risks and complications
You need to know the possible complications that come with the particular procedure(s) you are having. There is a risk to any surgical procedure and you should be fully aware of all the risks before choosing to have your procedure. Another risk is that despite perfect technique or what is considered a good result by a plastic surgeon, you may not be happy with the final result.
- Have realistic expectations
Your plastic surgeon can only control what happens inside the operating room. No matter how great a job your plastic surgeon does, it will not guarantee a job promotion, a relationship, or an improved social life or social status. Plastic surgery will not cure depression or eating disorders. Approach your cosmetic surgery with realistic and hopefully attainable expectations. The surgery will not transform your life in a monumental way, but rather improve a body part that bothers you. If you are planning plastic surgery with desires like finding a spouse, saving your marriage, or conquering the world, don’t do it, because it won’t work, and you will be unhappy. If there are doubts about your motives, seek advice from a mental health provider.
Health
Eating too much meat could cause heart failure in older women
Women above 50 who consume a lot of protein stand a high risk of heart failure, researchers say.
The risk becomes even more increased when the source of the protein is meat.
Although the study did not prove exactly how a high protein diet affects the health of the heart, postmenopausal women with the most protein in their diet had a 60 percent increased risk of heart failure, as opposed to those who ate little protein, the study found.
Mohomad Firas Barbour, an internist at Brown University’s Alpert medical school and memorial hospital of Rhode Island in Pawtucket, said that most of the risks appear to come from animal protein.
In comparison, the women who got most of their protein from vegetable sources appeared to have a nearly 20 percent reduced risk of heart failure, Barbour said.
“The higher total dietary protein intake, that will increase the risk of heart failure, but higher vegetable protein intake appeared to be protective against heart failure,” he added.
The findings have been presented at the American Heart Association annual meeting in New Orleans, U.S.
Health
Wrong arm position can result in false blood pressure reading, Study says
A recent study has found that a wrong arm position during blood pressure (BP) checks may lead to misdiagnosis and overestimation of hypertension.
BP is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is measured in units of millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The reading consists of two numbers — with the upper (systolic) value first, followed by the lower (diastolic) value. A person is considered hypertensive if they have consistent readings of 130/80 or higher.
The new study, published on Monday in Journal JAMA Internal Medicine, analysed the blood pressure readings of 133 adults from August 2022 to June 2023. The study volunteers’ ages ranged from 18 to 80.
The blood pressure readings were measured and compared while the people held their arms in three different ways — leaning on a surface, resting on the lap, or hanging by the side of the body.
The researchers from Johns Hopkins University discovered that when participants had their arms hanging by their sides during the reading, their systolic pressure was 6.5 points higher than when their arms were resting on a desk, while the diastolic blood pressure — the bottom number — was 4.4 points higher than in the supported condition.
The experts also found out that when their arms were on their laps, the systolic blood pressure was 3.9 points higher than when their arms were supported by a surface, while the diastolic pressure was 4 points higher than in the supported condition.
For example, if a person’s actual blood pressure is 134, and blood pressure is measured on a dangling arm, the reading could end up over 140, which is considered to be stage 2 hypertension.
Tammy Brady, the vice-chair for clinical research in the department of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said the two other positions were tested because it was realised that they are the most used positions during blood pressure readings.
“I did not expect there to be that much of a difference when the arms were placed in the two alternative positions,” he said.
“We tested those positions because those are the positions that most people have their blood pressure measured, according to data and personal observations.
“We thought there’d be a difference, but I was surprised by how much of a difference there was.”
According to the study, the wrong positioning of the arm during BP readings leads to overestimation due to several physiological reasons.
First, there can be muscle contraction when the arm is not supported which can lead to an increase in BP reading.
Also, a greater vertical distance between the heart and where the cuff is placed can increase hydrostatic pressure in the arteries, or the blood pressure against the wall due to gravity’s pull. This can lead to an overestimation of blood pressure.
Brandy said the study was conducted to educate people on the appropriate arm position for BP reading.
“I just hope that it raises awareness regarding how important things like arm position are to blood pressure measurement accuracy,” he added.
“I also hope this study educates patients, empowering them to advocate for proper measurement when they’re in a clinic setting.
“But also, because so many patients rely on home blood pressure measurements for hypertension diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.
“I hope this educates them on how to properly position their arms because our findings absolutely extend to measurements in the home.”
The researchers also gave the following steps to achieve an accurate BP measurement.
The steps include:
- Wear the appropriate cuff size
- Have your back supported
- Keep feet flat on the floor with legs uncrossed
- Have the appropriate arm position – the cuff should be positioned at heart level with the arm supported on a desk or table
Wearing the appropriate cuff size was found to be the most important step.
Because an improperly sized blood pressure cuff can distort blood pressure readings taken by automated blood pressure devices.
Also speaking, Gail Adler, a cardiovascular endocrinologist in the Hypertension Clinic at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, disclosed some steps that should taken 30 minutes for BP measurement.
“Before you take your blood pressure, you want no smoking, exercise, caffeine, alcohol, major arguments. Don’t be psychologically stressed,” Adler said.
“Sit in the chair, get in the right position. And for five minutes, you relax, you don’t talk, make sure you don’t have to pee. If you have to pee or urinate, that’s going to raise your blood pressure.”
Health
NAFDAC warns Nigerians against purchase of unregistered condom brand
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against sale and distribution of Foula Condoms.
In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said officials from the post-marketing surveillance (PMS) directorate discovered Foula condoms (packaged in threes) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, and Zango, Katsina state.
The agency said the condom is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the labeling of the product is not in English Language.
“Condoms are a proven effective barrier method that can be used as a dual-purpose method for both prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs),” the statement reads.
“To be most effective, any barrier method used for contraception or preventing infection must be used correctly.
“The illegal distribution or sale of unregistered condoms poses a risk as the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed.
“The purchase and use of poor-quality condoms will adversely affect every aspect of condom promotion for the prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
“If condoms leak or break, they cannot offer adequate protection.
“All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the unregistered products within the zones and states.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of illegally distributed products.
“All medical products/ medical devices must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.”
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.”
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