What are the current trends in plastic surgery? Plastic surgeons Anda Gaile and Nonna Tomiševa in SANTA magazine

THE LATEST DIAGNOSTIC METHODS, EXPERIENCED PLASTIC SURGEONS, AND A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH—HERE ARE THE KEY WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE LATVIAN MICROSURGERY CENTER’S BEAUTY CLINIC, WHICH OPENED THIS SUMMER. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TRENDS IN PLASTIC SURGERY?

Consulted by plastic surgeons from the Beauty Clinic at the Latvian Microsurgery Center

ANDA GAILE

NONNA TOMISHEVA

– In your opinion, is plastic surgery today less invasive than it used to be, or have there perhaps been some new developments?

– People usually expect innovations from plastic surgery, so, like a slightly spoiled lady, it likes to keep up with fashion trends and use trendy terms. Over the past 5–10 years, the world was obsessed with anything that could have “minimally invasive,” “minor,” or “endoscopic” added to its name. Now, the term “preservative” is on the rise. There’s “preservative” rhinoplasty, facelifts, breast augmentation, and so on. However, no matter how appealing the terms may sound, the most important thing for a patient to know is that the goal of advances in plastic surgery is to make every method more effective and safer, and any plastic surgeon at the Latvian Microsurgery Center will choose the safest and most appropriate method for the patient to achieve the best results and eliminate many of the potential complications. Our doctors regularly attend conferences and courses and learn from experienced colleagues.

– What exactly does “preservation” mean in the context of rhinoplasty, facelifts, and breast augmentation?

– The basic principle of tissue-preserving surgery is to avoid causing tissue damage where it is not necessary, thereby reducing the postoperative tissue response to trauma and shortening the healing period. But this method isn’t suitable for everyone. Every body is unique, and there are so many nuances to consider, ranging from the subcutaneous fat layer to age, hormonal status, and weight. All of these factors matter—including genetics. The specialist’s task is to select, from a wide range of techniques, the one best suited to the specific patient, which will deliver the best possible result. One of the recent trends in plastic surgery is the pursuit of a natural look—which means not overdoing the changes. Just as in dentistry, where people no longer strive for extremely white teeth, over the past year there has been no demand for unnaturally large breasts. However, there are still patients who see all sorts of “miracles” on Instagram and other social media platforms and come in with a specific request, looking for a doctor who will indulge their whims. Here at the Latvian Microsurgery Center, it has always been important to us to offer patients the best solution: first and foremost, to provide a high-quality consultation so that the patient gains an understanding of the procedure, and ultimately, satisfaction. The results of a successful plastic surgery procedure aren’t always visible to those around the patient, but everyone will notice the harmony, radiance, and self-confidence that follow.

– This summer, the Latvian Microsurgery Center’s new hospital was opened, which also houses the Beauty Clinic. What will this major development mean for patients?

– What makes the Latvian Microsurgery Center so special—and a major advantage—is not only its long-standing experience, but also the fact that the hospital is multidisciplinary. We can now address almost any problem or alleviate a patient’s pain, ranging from cosmetic to reconstructive surgery; and our specialists, working closely together, are able to address a wide variety of issues, as each can contribute their own expertise. Furthermore, teamwork is crucial during the postoperative period; this involves not only the surgeon but also the support of a rehabilitation specialist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and other specialists. The Latvian Microsurgery Center has made it possible to have everything done in one place—including ultrasound and X-ray examinations, as well as neurography tests. In addition, we have established partnerships with other clinics to perform specific procedures and treatments, making the patient’s life as easy as possible so they don’t have to run around looking for specialists.

– What are the most popular plastic surgery procedures right now?

– Breast augmentation surgery has always been the most popular procedure. Liposuction was named the world’s most popular procedure last year, but that was likely due more to Brazilian doctors promoting liposuction and liposculpture; but in Latvia, breast augmentation surgeries are still number one. As the desire for a natural look continues to grow, the number of facelifts has increased significantly. This could be explained by the decline in popularity of injectables—people have realized that puffy cheeks aren’t actually what they wanted. Moreover, many have calculated that, when adding up the cost of each procedure, it’s better to save that money and undergo a minimally invasive or preservative procedure to immediately achieve perfectly lifted facial features. That has changed—now people want results that don’t disappoint or require compromise. Patients carefully review the options and results. People value their current well-being and quality of life. There’s also a growing trend of young women opting for breast reduction surgery as early as age 25. In the past, women would wait until they were 40 or 50; now they’re choosing to make their future lives easier sooner.

– These days, many women are already informed about their options before seeing a doctor. What questions do they ask the doctor?

– Although patients these days are well-informed, they are sometimes still very confused and overwhelmed by the flood of information. There are many different so-called “trendy” surgeries, but a professional plastic surgeon will explain why a particular procedure would or would not be suitable for them. The most important thing during the consultation is to understand what the person doesn’t like, what they want to change, and why. Surgery should only be performed if, every time you walk past a mirror, you realize—I really don’t like this about myself! For example, drooping eyelids, a tired appearance, a belly bulge… These days, more and more men are also choosing to consult a plastic surgeon because they want to look better; sometimes they voice concerns that used to be discussed only by women—if they don’t look presentable, it could have negative consequences in the job market. Men, however, want to preserve their masculine features.

– Questions about pain, complications, and scars might be the three main areas of interest. Do today’s options allow us to reduce them?

– It seems that absolutely everyone has questions about pain. Algorithms for pain relief have been developed in recent years. We use what’s called intraoperative regional anesthesia during surgery, so the patient can sleep pain-free until morning after the procedure and then continue taking pain medication. As doctors, it’s important for us to explain that complications can occur: infections, unexpected scarring, and other problems that are beyond the doctor’s control, but it’s important for the patient to be informed about them. That’s why it’s hard to understand how people aren’t afraid to travel to Turkey and other countries. Recently, there have been reports of women even traveling to South Korea, even though our body proportions are different and our mindsets differ as well. But Instagram is doing its part! When choosing medical tourism, there are various important questions that should be clarified—the clinic’s reputation and length of operation, guarantees, treatment approaches, and, of course, what will happen if complications arise. There have been stories of doctors refusing to address problems, telling patients to let local doctors handle it—or, in the worst-case scenario, simply not answering the phone at all. Most often, “cheaper” means that full service isn’t provided—there’s neither support nor the ability to make adjustments, and in the end, you may end up paying two or three times as much for everything combined. It’s important to find the right doctor for you. We always recommend attending in-person consultations, as they give the doctor the opportunity to provide a thorough consultation and allow the patient to ask all their questions. It’s important to feel a connection between the doctor and the patient, as this collaboration will continue after the surgery. You’ll need to come in for post-operative checkups, dressing changes, and possibly seek additional solutions.

‘Santa’ Magazine”