Vriendin Magazine: Just a Little More Beautiful

Blooming Plastic Surgery, Haarlem Last updated: January 2021 Out of vanity or for medical reasons: worldwide, women and men alike go under the knife at a plastic surgeon. Always to feel better about themselves. The same is true for Roos, Marit and Francina. When people think of plastic surgery, they often immediately think of cosmetic procedures. Such as a breast augmentation, which is what Roos chose. Since the age of seventeen she had been unhappy with her small cup A. Especially in the summer months. Tops, dresses: they always hung straight down. Although those around her did not think it was necessary, she wanted a fuller bust. For herself, to feel much more feminine this way. Beforehand she had heard many negative stories about 'tennis balls'. But she was not put off by this and, full of confidence, she went under the knife two months ago. Yet these cosmetic procedures are only part of the work of plastic surgeons. Marit was over the moon when her daughter Bodil was born nine months ago, until Marit was shortly afterwards struck by a flesh-eating bacterium in her left arm. This bacterium destroyed her skin and fatty tissue and a section of muscle tissue. The affected tissue was surgically removed. This left a large scar, which also caused her arm to bend and she could no longer stretch and flex it properly. Marit then called on the help of a plastic surgeon. With Francina too, there was a medical reason for plastic surgery. After a car accident three and a half years ago, in which she was not given right of way, she continued to suffer from her left wrist. A nasty, tingling feeling, twenty-four hours a day. Working was manageable, but horse riding — her great passion — was no longer possible. Scans revealed that there was no cartilage left in the joint. As a result, the bones were grinding against each other, causing pain. She went to a plastic surgeon with it — with success! Roos: "I''ve already bought two new sets!" Roos: "I was terrified to look in the mirror for the first time after the breast augmentation. I called my boyfriend over; I dared to do it with him by my side. I was surprised by what I saw: a beautiful cup C. Even more beautiful than I had dared to hope. Before, in a lingerie shop, I would only browse through the rack where I saw thick pads in the bras. Now I am discovering for the first time how beautiful and fun these shops actually are! I have already bought two new sets, and many more are on the way. My self-confidence has received an enormous boost: I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin. Literally and figuratively." Marit: "Now I can lift my daughter again" Marit: "The past year has been heavy and emotional. Instead of carefree enjoyment of my newborn daughter, the infection in my arm limited me in everything I did. Only then did I realise how often I actually use my arm. The plastic surgeon removed skin from my groin and abdomen and then transplanted it to my arm. Not a simple procedure. My scar was rather unpredictable. But I can now almost fully extend my arm. It feels as though I have got my life back. I can lift my daughter again and give her a bottle, just like other mothers do." Francina: "The pain is gone, I''m glowing again!" Francina: "The pain in my wrist was eating me up. I was far too young to have to continue living like that. So I contacted a plastic surgeon. From the very first conversation I had confidence in him. Yet many people found my decision rather strange. I even had to explain to my GP that my surgeon is not an orthopaedic surgeon, but a plastic surgeon who has specialised further. First the growing bone was removed and a year later a prosthesis was fitted in my wrist. When I came round from the anaesthesia, the first thing I asked was: ''And, did it work?'' I can now say that the answer is an unequivocal ''yes''. The constant pain is gone. I am glowing again!"The above article was written in Vriendin magazine edition 23 (8–14 June) 2011 on pages 47–50. The breast operation was performed by one of the plastic surgeons at Kliniek Blooming in Haarlem. Click here for a pdf of the above triptych about plastic surgery. Source: Vriendin