The History of Plastic Surgery/ Cosmetic Surgery

Today, I would like to talk about the history and development of Plastic Surgery. These information are based on my online research and also visits to various Plastic Surgery clinics in Korea/Seoul.

The Evolution of Plastic Surgery

1. The Ancient Era

The record of 'reconstructive surgery for cut-off nose' in ancient India in 800 B.C (recorded in the scriptures of Brahmanism)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Vedic_religion

2. The 16th-19th Century

During this period, due to frequent wars, plastic surgery also encountered the Renaissance.

- The techonology of dermal tissues grafting was first introduced.

- Around the 15th century, G. Taliacozzi, the founder of plastic surgery, performed a nose surgery using upper arm flap.

- Nose surgery using forehead flap done in India in 1974 is still considered one of the best historical method of reconstructive plastic surgery.

- In the early 19th century, plastic surgery with various reconstructive surgeries began establishing in academical systems.

- in 1809, Von Graele began 'the first blepharoplasty'

- in 1823, Bunger began the surgery of 'autologous dermal tissue draft'

- in 1838, as Zies published his book, the term 'Plastic Surgery' began to be widely used.

- In the late 19th century, full/partial thickness skin grafting by adjusting the thickness began.

3. The early and mid 20th Century

- In 1914 during the WW1, the plastic surgery center (French army) was opened due to many bullet wounded soldiers. Gillies from UK and Blair and Ivy from USA began the innovative reconstructive surgeries.

- In 1931, around 10 surgeons established 'The American Society Plastic Surgeons' (ASPS)

- In 1939,  during WW1, many active researches for syntripsis, burn and nerve damage led plastic surgery into the growth period.

4. The late 20th century

- In 1962, Cronin first performed 'Breast augmentation using a silicon implant'

- In 1967, 'skull and facial bone surgery' was presented

- The field of plastic surgery was extended to not only in the human body but also in the skull and facial bones.

- In 1970, 'micro joining plastic surgery' using a microscope was introduced.

-  The field of organ transplantation was made due to the development of digital replantation, blood vessel inosculation and nerve connecting surgery.

- Murray, a plastic surgeon first succeeded in a 'kidney transplantation'

- In 1980s and 1990s, flap operation and cosmetic surgery for all parts of the body began to be developed.

WHAT IS PLASTIC SURGERY?

Plastic surgery can be explained as one of the surgical fields for recovering birth defects or acquired defects and for appearance improvement.

Bangkok shutdown 2014

We are back from Bangkok! Despite the political unrest and bad situation happening in Bangkok currently, we still went ahead with our decision and travelled there for our holiday. 

Upon reaching, we were surprised by the very cooling weather there, temperature was about 22 degrees. 

We took the train from the airport, took us about 30 mins and switched to the BTS cuz our final destination was Asoke station. The BTS was really crowded and we had difficulties boarding the train with our luggages. 

At the airport, first time seeing it so empty. 

Purchased tokens for the mrt ride. 

MRT train, city line. 

At Asoke station, we could hear the protesters before we even saw them. Voices from the rally filled the place, as well as whistles. 

When we exited the station, we wrrr greeted with this: 

Massive crowd. There was a stage in front. The rally ends about 12 midnight every night and it turns into a concert at certain intervals, singers will be singing and dancing on stage. 

Tents along the road. 

Lots of vendors selling souvenirs. 

Things were generally quite peaceful but we were advised not to wander around the streets especially at night. Wanted to make a trip to the night market near Victoria memorial but decided against it as the protesters would be gathered there. 

The next day in the early afternoon, Asoke was quite empty with some street vendors. 

However when we reached Siam station at about 3pm, protesters started marching in.

The normal crowd before protesters marched in.

Stalls were giving out free food and drinks. 

So generally, it's better to go out shopping in the morning and early afternoons, we travelled mostly via BTS which was very convenient and fast, crowd is same as normal days and not overwhelming. 

By evening, the protesters will start gathering. Malls like terminal 21, central world, emporium etc close earlier at 8pm. (The timing varies so pls check with the hotels or other sites for accuracy)

Platinum mall and chatuchak market are quieter than usual and shopping became such a breeze! 

We didn't go clubbing at night at all for this trip. But some of my other friends went during this period and all was fine. But of course, have to take precaution and be safe. We chose not to go because of the road closure. We didn't want to be walking around the streets at night dangerously. 

Posted some videos of the rally in Bangkok in my Instagram. Check them out if you are keen. 

Soi Thai Kitchen

Last week, I was craving badly for Thai food and decided that I just had to try one of the newly established Thai eateries near my place. 

I was contemplating between 3 Thai eateries, one at the basement of tampines mall and 2 others namely Bangruk Thai kitchen and Soi Thai kitchen located 2 shops away from each other at tampines st 81. 

Finally decided on Soi Thai. 

We decided on these dishes, couldn't order a lot although I wished to cuz there was only the 2 of us. 

Creamy tomyum seafood soup. 

I liked how spicy this was but after a few more spoonfuls of this, both of us found it a tad too salty. However we both loved how fresh and springy the prawns were. 

Ordered this for myself. I'm a very big fan of stir fried basil leaves with either pork, beef or chicken and this time I chose te one with pork. I was slightly disappointed because it was quite salty too. 

Claypot prawn vermicelli. 

Again, this was very salty until my friend had to ask the staff to add some water to reduce the saltiness. Prawns again, were very fresh. 

To sum up the whole experience, we were both very thirsty especially right after the meal due to too much salt intake apparently. They had many other dishes which looks very appetizing in the menus and I would very much love to come back here again as I really love Thai food and this is so near my place. I hope to see improvement and more positive reviews so that I can come back again. 

Next shall try Bangrak next door. 

For now, we will be flying off to Bangkok in a few hours for authentic Thai food, can hardly wait!!