These days it’s near impossible to avoid the trend on social media sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, of young women in their teens and twenties posting photos of themselves with pouty lips and a baby-face full of fillers. In most cases this will result in some brief attention and a similarly brief increase in self-esteem for the poster.

Those who feel the need to compete to survive in the dating world will often be struggling with their appearance on a daily basis. The way in which we think tends to closely link our perception of our appearance with our sense of self-worth. Therefore, many go after standards such as fuller lips and smaller waists in order to feel as if they have the competitive edge.

This kind of thinking is often extremely unhealthy, especially in younger people who are still learning about themselves, their place in the world and how to interact with other. During these early stages of life it is common for people to give their appearance an unhealthy focus and in extreme cases it can become the sole contributor to a person’s sense of self-worth.

Social media often reinforces these unhealthy thought patterns, especially with the abundance of cosmetically altered photos of women. This can lead to young women feeling under pressure to have cosmetic surgery in order to be able to compete with those they view pictures of online. Of course this is often hugely problematic as people are failing to look beyond appearances and are left feeling permanently unhappy.

There have been many studies which show that while people are attracted to one another’s appearances it is not physical looks which lies behind successful relationships. Many younger men and woman have not yet learnt this and view appearance as the key to forming a fulfilling relationship. This can result in extremely unhealthy and toxic views, low self-esteem and a false need for plastic surgery.

Everyone wants to be respected by their peers and looked upon favourably by the opposite sex. While full lips, larger breasts, smaller waists and so on may initially attract a partner, when considering plastic surgery it is important to remember that these are in fact plastic and they are not the basis for a healthy and lasting relationship.

Patients who undergo mohs surgery often find it necessary to undergo reconstructive surgery. Therefore, the question of whether to have mohs surgery and plastic surgery on the same day or not is a common question. To fully understand what lies beneath the answer to this question, it is important to understand what mohs and plastic surgeries are.

Mohs surgery is a microscopically controlled type of surgery developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs in the 30’s. It is used to treat common types of skin cancer. Mohs surgery involves removal of skin cancer in such a way as to minimize loss of normal tissue. This especially important on areas of the body were tissue needs to be conserved, such as the nose, eyelids, or ears. At the first stage, visible tumor is removed. The tissue removed is examined by a Dermatopathologist to determine if all tumors have been eliminated. If any remains, the surgery continues by removing more skin, examining it microscopically, and repeating until all of the cancer cells are no longer found. The second stage is for the reconstruction of the defect. This is where plastic surgery comes in.

Plastic surgery is a medical operation carried out for the purpose of restoration or correction of deformed body parts or tissue. After Mohs surgery, the surgeon may advice many repair methods including natural healing, stitching, or regional flaps. The question of whether it is right or wrong to undergo plastic surgery on the same day comes in where plastic surgery is the chosen option.

Mohs surgery and plastic surgery on the same day

It is both right and possible to have Mohs surgery and plastic surgery on the very same day. Most patients consider it necessary for their wounds to heal for some days before undergoing plastic surgery. This, in fact, compromises the expected results of a plastic surgery. Healing causes an inflammation of tissues, which in turn complicates plastic surgery. For the best results, it is advised that plastic surgery be done on the same day as Mohs surgery when the wound is fresh and uncontaminated.

Undergoing plastic surgery on the same day as Mohs surgery is an ideal way of containing skin cancer. It not only quickens the healing process, but also minimizes the risk of infection. Carrying out both surgeries on the same day lessens the healing time.

There are instances where a patient may be forced to undergo the surgeries on different days. This especially happens when Mohs surgery take time. Typically, a doctor take a few minutes to remove the tumor, then examines it for an hour or two before concluding whether all tumor has been removed or not. Due to various reasons, this time may be longer because additional tissue needs to be repeatedly excised, and the patient may have to undergo plastic surgery on a different day. Another reason for having the surgeries on different days is where different doctors perform the operations. This merely raises the possibility of the surgeries happening on different days. However, having Mohs surgery and plastic surgery on different days is not advised unless it is necessary. When this situation arises it is best to have the plastic surgeon reconstruct the area the very next day.

A patient requires a few things when undergoing Mohs surgery. A patient should abstain from alcoholic for a period of 48 hours before the surgery. Some medications such as vitamin E supplements should be stopped when the surgery is carried out. Having a consultation before the surgery is strongly advocated for as the patient is told exactly what to do before and after the surgery.

In conclusion, Mohs surgery can be an important method of treating skin cancers, and having plastic surgery on the same day is usually the best way to optimize any necessary reconstruction.

What to expect after the procedure

Patients who undergo a blethroplasty usually do so on an outpatient basis. Patients very rarely need to stay overnight in the hospital overnight. Your surgeon will decide what the best option is for your specific situation.

In regards to the recovery process, expect swelling and redness at the incision sites. You may have excessive tearing as well, but not always. You will experience tenderness, but the level pain will vary from patient to patient, as expected, but most patients experience almost no pain because of the unique laser method used by Dr. Lent. Most patients only experience mild discomfort up to five days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken as needed.

If the blethroplasty only involved removal of skin, then swelling and bruising will fade within several days. If fat was also removed in conjunction with skin, then expect to see the majority of swelling recede within one to two weeks.

When can I return to work

Patients can return to work within 3 -5 days after the procedure as long as no bending over, heavy lifting or physical exertion is required. Makeup can be used cover any residual bruising. Eye makeup such as eye shadow and eyeliner can be worn after seven days.

Physical fitness

It is recommended that patients refrain from high-impact exercise for a period of two to three weeks.

What if I wear glasses?

Patients can use their glasses immediately after surgery, but will need to wait for one or two weeks before using contact lenses.

Patients should be diligent with the application of sunscreen. Apply with a SPF of 15 of higher liberally to the eye area for six months. The skin will be sensitive and you do not want it to burn.