Tales from a Plastic Surgeon

We all must have heard about BOTOX some time during our lives. Usually as something used by celebrities or high society ladies. Half baked knowledge is always dangerous, so here I would like to put forth some facts regarding this often misunderstood wonder-drug. The first time I saw Botox being used was when I was posted in Urology, it was injected in a case of an Overactive bladder. The second time I saw it being used for Frey's Syndrome. The third time I used it for overactive cheek muscle. It was only during my aesthetic training that I got to know of its use in what it is famous for. Smoothening of lines and wrinkles. So what is it? BOTOX is the brand name for botulinum toxin which is acquired from a bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum. When injected in controlled fashion it causes weakening of the overactive muscles and glands. Due to this unique property, this toxin has found widespread application all throughout the body, it is used for relieving blepharospams, for t...

B reast Cancer is the most common malignancy occurring in Indian women. The rate being as high as 25.8 per 1,00,000 women. The incidence of Breast cancer is rising and what is alarming is the age group in which it is being diagnosed. More and more younger women are being affected by Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer has been seen to occur a nearly a decade earlier in Indian Women as compared to the western population. Studies suggest that the disease burden peaks in the age group of 40-50 years in Indian women. Due to increased awareness and improved diagnostic tools the number of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer has increased significantly. However, out of the number of women undergoing mastectomy, a shockingly low percentage of women opt for breast reconstruction. The reasons can be variable. 1. Lack of awareness regarding breast reconstruction. What is breast reconstruction? The goal of  breast reconstruction  is to restore one or both breasts to near normal sha...