Longevity continuously strives to bring you the best in healthcare advice from professionals, and this time is no different. Our guest is a true innovator, being the first black female plastic and reconstructive surgeon to graduate from the University of Pretoria. We spoke to Dr. Nombulelo Metuse, a Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, about the science of plastic surgery and how it is truly beyond aesthetics, “but can also be a life-saving procedure.”
Dr. Nombulelo Metuse’s Journey Begins
Dr. Metuse explains that plastic surgery was the only discipline that was able to meet all of her interests, namely, her interests “for art, for science, for numbers, and for imaging”. She describes plastic surgery as the “artistic principles governed by science.”
She expresses her passion for imaging through “reconstructing yourself as you see yourself… not according to the standards that are out there,” even sharing that she “believes in imaging more than in beauty.”
Her passion for numbers is expressed through extensive measurements that need to be done before any surgery, with her passionately stating “we measure twice, but cut once.”
Her Love For Service
Dr. Nombulelo Metuse
Although she is in private practice, she is still very active in public healthcare. This has been a passion for her for many years, dating back as far back as 2013 when she was deployed to Congo at the UN Missions. It was here that she was exposed to “going out of (her) comfort zone and working with limited resources.” She didn’t stop there, though.
Her partnership with the Smile Foundation and the Steve Biko Academic Hospital helped offer free surgery for craniofacial patients, along with those who were affected by cleft lips and palates. Describing public healthcare as an act of service, Dr. Metuse explains how her field of surgery is about more than cosmetics, but also “the psychological trauma that goes beyond the cosmetics that you see.”
Beauty Being Skin Deep
Plastic surgery was once surrounded by extensive stigma, with the belief that those who received it were ashamed of their appearance, or not proud of who they are. This is a stigma Dr. Metuse is constantly working towards breaking. She goes further than just conducting cosmetic medical procedures.
Acting as a multidisciplinary, she aims to ensure that her patients are seeking surgery for the right reasons. “Not to say that we won’t perform the surgery, but let’s get the reason behind it correct so that you are happy with the results at the end of the day,” she says. She adds that this isn’t something one should embark on to make someone else happy.
“(It must be) something that you want for yourself.”
Through this practice of intentionality, she is able to ensure that her patients are not only getting surgery done for the right reasons. She also makes sure that they know their limits. “If we don’t do things for the right reasons, abuse is inevitable,” she adds.
Responsibility of Medical Specialists
This is a practice that goes further than outward appearance. Medical specialists need to be able to identify if there is an underlying issue motivating someone to opt out of these procedures, because sometimes “the issue is not how you look. You are hurting…”
Dr. Metuse shares that as an image reconstruction artist, she needs to know who her patient is. She needs to know what beauty is in their eyes. This is essential in ensuring that they don’t potentially overdo plastic surgery, which is a truly extensive journey.
The Journey of Elective Surgery
Dr. Metuse emphasizes the importance of remembering that plastic surgery is elective and not an emergency procedure that can be done immediately after your initial consultation. She explains how it is a journey that begins before the actual surgery. She consults your physician, psychologist, and even your dietitian to ensure “long-lasting results for (the) procedure.”
Dr. Metuse expresses the importance of educating her patients and informing them of everything, from the risk factors to the downtime post-surgery.
Three Limbs of Plastic Surgery
Dr. Metuse talks about “The Three Limbs of Plastic Surgery”.
From the aesthetic side, which is either non-invasive, non-surgical, or minimally invasive, to the cosmetic side, which has seen an increase in numbers, even amongst males who are seeking nose jobs, liposuction, and the removal of man boobs to deal with gynecomastia, and lastly, reconstruction.
Her Work With Radiotherapy
Non-invasive treatments have increased in popularity, with people no longer having to go under the knife to achieve their dream look.
Dr. Metuse speaks to us about using radio frequencies to not only reduce wrinkles but for fat reduction too. Using radio-frequency ultrasound waves, she is able to perform a non-invasive fat-burning treatment which can result in a 3-5 cm loss of fat. Along with this, she also uses radiotherapy to stimulate collagen synthesis from the fibroblast.
Her Thoughts On Collagen
Dr. Metuse shares her views on collagen, which is still growing in popularity for its anti-aging abilities. She states that “if I want to promote collagen synthesis on your skin, then it is more productive for me to employ modalities that work directly on the skin.”
Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock
When asked about the consumption of collagen supplements, she shares that “if (they) do (work), it’s very minimal. But to get more pleasing results, you will have to work on the skin, which is why we use these modalities.” Another example she gives of this is microneedling, which is done to stimulate fibroblast. This procedure takes place right on the skin, ensuring visible results.
Rejuvenation for the Vagina?
Dr. Metuse explains that “just like every part of our body, every cell of our body goes under the process of aging. Things (start) sagging, the same thing that happens with skin also happens (to the vagina).” She shares what she does to the skin through radio-frequency, which physicians can also do for the female genitalia. “When we do the rejuvenation, we make sure that we restore moisture… and tightness.”
Watch The Interview
Dr. Metuse is going beyond the surgery, advocating for self-love and destigmatizing this elective procedure. To learn more about these different procedures and how she even has the perfect procedure for “restoring virginity,” watch the full interview below:
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