Plastic surgery.

 

Most of those who make plastic surgery are ashamed to admit that because they know that it is against nature. They change something in their characters and inside.

 

“I had breast reduction. But I never forgive myself for that.” Said Huda, a 43-years old Saudi woman about the plastic surgery that she made for herself.

“I never thought that I will regret having that operation. I have suffered a lot since I had that plastic surgery for my breasts,” she added. Having such surgery is becoming a sign of luxury in Saudi society. Male and female are willing to pay so much money to get these surgeries done. The concern with appearance and preserving youth has become a desire for some Saudis.

Cosmetic surgery has become a growth industry in the kingdom, with a growing number of clinics providing such procedures as hair transplants, breast enlargement, breast reduction, liposuction and facelifts.

Few years ago, such surgeries weren’t permitted in the kingdom. But some people had to go to the neighbor countries to have them done there. But now there are many clinics which make them. Their advertisements are on the daily newspaper. They follow up these surgeries in the news, on television, movies and just about everywhere they walk around.

 

“I paid about SR15 000 for the doctor to make the operation then I had to pay SR40 000 to another doctor to fix that operation because it was done properly.” said Huda.

 

“When I had my first operation. The wound did not heal for a long time .It looked as if I was burnt .Persistent pain, redness, and swelling in the area of the surgery were my complaint to my doctor who suggested that I must have another operation after just one month of my first one . I didn’t listen to him. I had to see another doctor. After six months, I had an operation for the second time. “Huda added.

 

Plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery refers to a variety of operations performed in order to repair or restore body parts to look normal, or to change a body part to look better.

 

 Plastic surgery is usually performed to treat birth defects and to remove skin blemishes such as warts, acne scars, or birthmarks. Other cosmetic surgery procedures are performed to make the patient look younger or enhance his / her appearance in other ways.

 

 

Doctors find these plastic surgeries successful, but researches showed that 72% of women patient complained about them. They are never satisfied and fulfilled with their results.

 

 “That’s because I wasn’t satisfied with what Allah has bestowed me.” said Ammal, 35 years Saudi women.

 

“I had an aesthetic nose surgery. Since then I have a nightmare whenever I look at my face in the mirror. I feel pity for myself. Everybody is blaming me. My husband is upset about my new look. My mother and kids look for words to make me happy for a while. Even though, I just have one thought that is traveling outside the kingdom to have another operation to fix the previous one.” Ammal added with a sigh.

The risks associated with plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery include complications that can occur with any surgical operation under anesthesia. These complications include wound infection, internal bleeding, pneumonia, and reactions to the anesthesia. Anemia or fat embolisms from liposuction and rejection of skin grafts or tissue transplants may happen.

People want these kinds of surgeries. They are willing to do them no matter how much they cost them of pain or money. It’s their determination to have them. Although many people still think of cosmetic surgery as only for women, growing numbers of men are choosing to have facelifts and eyelid surgery, as well as hair transplants and "tummy tucks."

 “Diagnosing and planning for the surgery is very important before the operation.” Said Dr.  Yamni, a Saudi consultant plastic surgery.

Dr. Yamni notified that patients are asked to avoid using aspirin or medications containing aspirin for a week to two weeks before surgery, because these drugs lengthen the time of blood clotting. Smokers are asked to stop smoking two weeks before surgery because smoking interferes with the healing process.

 “Saudi women are having many of these plastic surgery  such as , breast reduction , facelifts, forehead lifts, and chemical face peels attempt to present cosmetic surgery patients with a more appealing visage .These operations become a concern to women for several reasons, including physical appearance and personal comfort .” He added.

 

"Problems, whether physical or psychological, are more likely to occur if you go to someone who isn't really a specialist in the field. We often have cosmetic surgery that aim to correct certain defects in one’s body, or to treat the effects of accidents, such as skin grafting after suffering burns." Dr. Yamni explained.

 

Islam prohibits these kinds of surgeries.Dr. Yamni had something to say about that.

 

“Those who explained that verse of Quran they say that plastic surgery is prohibited but in my own opinion I am working to make individual happy, satisfied and pleased about the way they look. This, for sure, will make them good members in their society. Satisfaction of one’s appearance is intrinsically linked to one’s happiness and overall mood and performance.” Dr. Yamni said.

 

Allah Almighty mentions in Surah al-Nisa the words of Shaytan, when he said: “I will mislead them and I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) natural creation of Allah.” (4: 119).

To deface the fair nature created by Allah, both physically and spiritually, is what Shaytan likes and orders to practice.

 

 In a Hadith it is stated: “Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) said: “Allah’s curse is on those women who practice tattooing and get themselves tattooed, and those who remove hair from their faces, and those who make space between their teeth artificially to beautify themselves. They are such that they change the nature and features created by Allah. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) also cursed such women” [Recorded by Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim in their respective Sahih collections]

Cosmetic surgery for the purpose of beautifying oneself is also impermissible. The body given to us by our creator is a trust, thus it is unlawful to tamper with it in any way. If one does so, then he will be committing the sin of ‘changing the nature created by Allah.

However, if there is a genuine need, as in an organ of the body is severely deformed, e.g. the nose is damaged or a child is born with six fingers, etc.…, then to perform cosmetic surgery will become permissible. When it has a beneficial and legitimate purpose.

Dr. Ahmed Al banany, a professor for Belief in Umm al Quraa university, talked about that saying, “I am afraid it is prohibited to make such surgeries. It is a way to change what Allah has created. Shatayn makes people follow his orders. One must be satisfied with what blessings Allah has given him/her.” same

Dr Al Banany thinks that unless there is damage on oneself there is no need to make them.

“Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) told us that (Al Halal) virtues are clear and (Al Haram) sins are clear. Between this and that there are misleading ways; if one attempts to go through them, he is in sin. So, he rather avoids them for the good of his faith and belief. “Dr Al Banany added.   

Husbands, society and satellites play a great part in this issue. People are affected deeply by these different means. They copy what they see around them. It’s sometimes the woman herself who wants a certain look

 “The mere idea of getting undressed, in front of a surgeon, just to fix my breast or anything like that, makes me sick.” Said Hana, said another Saudi woman who finds cosmetics surgery against our religion and faith.

In Islam, women are not allowed to wear make-up, dress in an attractive way in front of men who   are not her (Mahram), husband or other members of her family.  Islam rather protects the society when it gives a shelter for women to be in it away from men’s curious eyes. 

“Many women who made them blame themselves for not getting the results they were looking for. However, the truth about the whole matter that they know deep in their heart that it is against their nature and religion. This guilty feeling will persist forever; they will never relieve their conscious for what they did to get beauty. I don’t recommend any kind of cosmetic surgery unless it’s necessary. Some people have unrealistic expectations of cosmetic surgery and think that it will solve all their life problems.” She said.

Men have a role in letting their wives making these procedures. “I don't think it is decent to let my wife get such surgery for herself.” Said Sami, a 40 years old Saudi male.

 “One should think about risks and side effects for plastic surgeries. We just can’t follow the western style without giving it enough thoughts.” Sami added.