An international plastic surgeon and
a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr.
Stanley Okoro, talks about plastic surgery with MOTUNRAYO JOEL
How did you become a plastic surgeon?
I studied Medicine at Meharry Medical
College, United States and then trained at Emory University as a general
surgeon. Following general surgery, I served in the US Navy for about
12 years moving up to the rank of commander. I then went back to school
to train as a plastic surgeon.
I am now a double board certified
plastic surgeon with practices in Atlanta Georgia, US and Lagos,
Nigeria. I am certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery
and the American Board of Surgery. I have received numerous awards and
recognition for my work and belong to many prestigious and exclusive
organisations such as the American College of Surgeons, American Society
of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the Southeastern
Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
In your view, what are the most popular plastic surgeries performed in Nigeria?
The most popular procedures for women
are liposuction, tummy tuck and Brazilian buttock lift. Brazilian butt
lift is also called fat transfer, fat grafting, BBL, or what I am
starting to refer to as the NBL – Naija Butt Lift. During BBL, we
remove fat (liposuction) from other areas on the body, sculpt down the
waist, take the fat and transfer it to the buttock and hip area. This
restores that feminine, youthful silhouette and really gives women that
“wow” factor. For men, I would have to say the most popular procedure
is excess fat removal with liposuction. A lot of men struggle with
excess fat on their chests, abdomens and even chins. Gynecomastia is a
very common condition where men have excessive volume in the chest.
Liposuction is the only way to reduce this volume to restore a natural
and masculine chest. Enhancing the definition of the jawline with
liposuction is also a very common procedure – allowing for minimal down
time and regaining the youthful, manly contour they desire.
What are the merits and demerits of plastic surgery?
The merits of cosmetic plastic surgery
are many. It has the ability to improve people’s quality of life. It is a
known fact that men and women feel good when they look good. Plastic
surgery allows people to look good. Plastic surgery also improves
self-esteem and confidence for many people. Poor self-esteem can affect
one’s career choice and personal relationship. I am not saying that
plastic surgery will save a marriage or get one a job. However, it will
not hurt you to look good and feel your best at that job interview. In
terms of attractiveness, men are drawn to attractive women, and women
love to look good. My job as a plastic surgeon is to assist patients in
achieving their aesthetic goals. It is very personal for everyone.
There are few demerits of plastic
surgery – unqualified doctors. Plastic surgery can lead to undesirable
complications especially when performed by an unqualified doctor. Many
doctors who perform cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are not trained
in this field. It is up to the patient to do proper research before
selecting a good plastic surgeon. I have spent a lot of time educating
patients on how to select a plastic surgeon.
How should patients choose a plastic surgeon?
It may sound obvious, but many people do
not realise that any licensed doctor can call him/herself a cosmetic
plastic surgeon without any surgical training. It is important that
prospective patients select their doctor carefully. Asking the basic
question of board certification is not enough these days. The real
question is – what area of medicine is your board certification?
First, you want to be sure that you
choose a certified plastic surgeon who is well trained and
board-certified in plastic surgery. Although the board certification
process is not the same in Nigeria, patients should still demand the
same standard of care that they can receive around the world.
In the US, a board-certified plastic
surgeon is different from a cosmetic surgeon. A cosmetic surgeon is a
doctor who could be called an anesthesiologist, paediatrician,
obstetrician/gynaecologist or emergency care doctor. He or she has taken
interest in cosmetic surgery and decided to perform plastic surgery
procedures without the proper training.
Their only interest is to make extra
money, without proper education and training, hence putting patient’s
lives at risk. A board-certified plastic surgeon is an experienced
medical doctor who undergoes a residency and fellowship to receive
specialty training in surgery and then plastic and reconstructive
surgical procedures. A board-certified plastic surgeon is much more
highly trained and capable. Although they may be slightly more
expensive – this is an industry in which you truly do get what you pay
for.
Some Nigerians are still skeptical about undergoing plastic surgery in Nigeria. What is your view about this?
If it was not safe, I would not be
performing plastic surgeries. I maintain the same standard of care that
I practice in the US in Nigeria. We utilise only the best of
anesthesia, medical facilities, staffing and surgical technique to
ensure that our patients are well taken care of. I take no short cuts
and do not tolerate compromise of care when it comes to my patients. I
think of my patients as a part of my family and I am involved in every
single step of their care.
Since you practice in the US, why did you decide to do same in Nigeria?
It is because there were few well
trained cosmetic plastic surgeons in Nigeria. Given the absence of
well-trained plastic surgeons, many Nigerians are travelling abroad for
plastic surgery procedures. Many of them do not perform proper research
on the doctors hence do not receive the excellent care they deserve.
Worst, they may never see the doctor again. Some of these doctors do not
take the time to understand Nigerians and our culture. As a Nigerian-
born plastic surgeon who trained and practises in the US, I feel that
well-trained Nigerian plastic surgeons are best qualified to deliver the
best plastic surgery services to Nigerians and Africans alike.
Another reason is that I want to offer
the same service that is available elsewhere in the world to Nigerians
in Nigeria. This will prevent Nigerians from going overseas. My long
term goal is to make Nigeria the plastic surgery hub for the African
continent. Since 2012, we travelled to Nigeria from the US every two
months. We now have a full-time plastic surgery service in Lagos and
hope to expand to Abuja soon.
What are the most common concerns of your clients in Nigeria regarding plastic surgery?
Most often, Nigerians considering
plastic surgery are concerned about safety. Many Nigerians ask me about
the late Nigerian first lady who passed on after or during plastic
surgery. Plastic surgery is a wonderful thing when performed by a
well-trained plastic surgeon and on the appropriate patient. Nigerian
patients should also be concerned about the training and experience of
their plastic surgeon. An ethical plastic surgeon should be able to
inform you if you are a good candidate for a procedure. The primary
concern of your plastic surgeon should not be only monetary. After
safety, the next most common concern is “looking natural.” They do not
want to look too artificial or “over-done” but still want to be able to
tell a difference in their look.
Do you feel that Nigerians are moving in a more positive direction regarding their perceptions of beauty?
Africans are naturally beautiful and
Nigerians have always been positive about keeping that beauty colourful.
Nigerian men and women are colourful in the clothes they wear. Nigerian
women are proud and love to look good all the time. Nigerians love to
wear makeup, hair, and nails. Cosmetic plastic surgery is becoming
popular among Nigerians. Many men and women in Nigeria have realised
that plastic surgery allows them to enhance those areas that are beyond
their control either due to ageing, pregnancy or weight fluctuations.
Our 2013 study shows that Nigerians are most interested in liposuction,
tummy tuck, Brazilian buttock lift and correction of gynecomastia. Many
of them were travelling overseas for the service prior to Abuja plastics
offering these services in Nigeria.
What is the most rewarding part of your career?
I would have to say the ability to
positively affect my patients is the most rewarding part of my career.
When people look good, they feel good and that affects their lives. I
have seen marriages made and saved, relationships defined, careers
advanced and positivity ignited after patients undergo successful
plastic surgery. This transformation of confidence turns patients into
the best possible versions of themselves and I love being a part of it.
The blossoming of happiness that occurs is such a blessing and always
uplifts me. These happy patients make everything worth it – they are
the reason I get up in the morning.
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