Philippine News Today #78 :
(Originally Posted) Jan. 2009

The proliferation of clinics doing cosmetic surgery procedures created more awareness and increased popularity among people and the treatment are no longer for the super rich ( as it used to be). But I still believe that the treatments are still expensive so affordability is still an issue most especially for a common Manila-based folk. Here in North America, since the price of the treatments are almost twice or thrice the cost in Phil. Peso, getting it done here may also be an issue to some individuals. But, as a fact of life, cheaper is not always better.
Are the cosmetic surgery procedures the same as "plastic surgery"? Plastic surgery is the branch of medicine concerned with the reconstruction and repair of defects in the body. The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word "plastikos," which means to mold or to shape. Reconstructive plastic surgery repairs deformities or disfigurements caused by injuries, disease, or defects since birth. Its purpose is not only to make a person look more "typical" but to function better as well. Cosmetic plastic surgery on the other hand, is performed solely for the purpose of improving the appearance of the body of an otherwise healthy person. Those procedures are categorized in general as "elective" procedures, because from a doctor's point of view, they are not necessary. It is quite common for a doctor to say to a client, "Leave it, if it's not bothering you." Elective procedures are usually paid for by the patient himself, and is not covered under Canada's MSP (Medical Service Plan). Examples of such operations would be Blepharoplasty (corrective eye surgery), Rhinoplasty (nose jobs), Rhytidectomy (face lifts), Breast enlargement, reduction, lift or augmentation, Liposuction (fat-suctioning procedures), Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Brachioplasty (arm lift), Buttock Lift and Hair implants. Hair transplants and eye surgery are the most popular procedures with men. Some doctors put the aggressive chemical skin peeling and other invasive skin treatments as cosmetic plastic surgeries. While these procedures may be elective, some individuals, because of medical reasons get the procedures for free under the medical insurance. If you are considering going under the knife to improve whatever feature is bothering you, I recommend that you do a substantial research on good plastic surgery practitioners in your area, neighboring cities or provinces. I was introduced to a plastic surgeon based in Vancouver and New Westminster and his name is Dr. Kimit Rai. I have seen is work on my client and , boy, I am so jealous of her tummy tuck!! I then discovered the Dr. Rai travelled to the Philippines to do medical missions. He worked in the remote provinces stricken with poverty and operated on poor children with cleft lips. I personally thanked him for the gesture and I promised myself that I will recommend Dr. Rai to Filipinas as a token of appreciation for the free surgeries he extended to our poor ‘kababayans'. Let us support his practice to reciprocate his dedication to help poor Filipino children. You may reach Dr. Rai at the False Creek Surgery Clinic in Vancouver.