Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery in Siliguri with Dr. Sohaib Akhtar

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty focused on reconstructing, restoring or enhancing the body, covering both reconstructive procedures (after trauma, burns or congenital conditions) and elective cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic surgery is elective surgery chosen to change the appearance of a feature the patient is unhappy with, rather than to treat an underlying medical condition.

Reconstructive surgery restores form and function after trauma, burns, congenital conditions, infection or tumour removal, with the priority usually on function alongside appearance.

Cosmetic surgery is elective and appearance-driven; reconstructive surgery addresses a functional or structural problem, though the two can overlap in a single procedure.

In India, "plastic surgeon" refers to a doctor with a recognised super-specialty qualification (such as MCh or DNB in Plastic Surgery) covering both cosmetic and reconstructive work. "Cosmetic surgeon" is not a protected super-specialty title on its own, so it's worth confirming the underlying qualification of anyone using it.

MCh (Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery) is a super-specialty surgical qualification in India, taken after MBBS and a general surgery postgraduate degree, covering plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic, microsurgical, hand, burn and craniofacial surgery.

No. A large part of plastic surgery — burns, trauma, hand injuries, congenital conditions, cancer reconstruction — is about restoring function, not appearance alone.

Aesthetic surgery is another term for elective cosmetic surgery — procedures chosen to refine or change appearance rather than to treat disease or injury.

Verify their surgical qualification and medical council registration, ask about their specific experience with the procedure you're considering, confirm where surgery will be performed, and be wary of guaranteed outcomes or pressure to decide quickly. See "How to choose a plastic surgeon" above for a fuller checklist.

Look for a recognised postgraduate super-specialty qualification in plastic and reconstructive surgery (e.g. MCh or DNB), plus active State Medical Council registration.

A medical history review, physical examination, discussion of your goals and concerns, an explanation of suitable options (including non-surgical ones where relevant), and a review of risks — followed by time for your questions.

This varies by procedure and complexity. Straightforward cosmetic consultations may need one or two visits; complex reconstructive cases often need several, including pre-operative work-up appointments.

Candidacy depends on your health, the specific procedure, and how realistic your expectations are — this can only be determined through an in-person examination and discussion, not a general answer.

Yes, and it's a reasonable step for any elective surgical decision, particularly if you feel uncertain or rushed after a first consultation.

Ask about the surgeon's qualification and experience with your specific procedure, where surgery will take place, who administers anaesthesia, what the realistic risks and recovery are, and what happens if a complication occurs.

No responsible surgeon guarantees a specific cosmetic or medical outcome. Individual results vary, and a surgeon who guarantees results is a warning sign rather than a reassurance.

Preparation typically includes pre-operative tests, medication review, smoking cessation if applicable, arranging help during recovery, and following your surgeon's specific instructions for your procedure.

Common pre-operative tests include blood work and, depending on the procedure and your health history, imaging or specialist clearance (e.g. cardiac evaluation).

Smoking significantly affects wound healing and blood supply to tissue, and most surgeons will ask patients to stop for a defined period before and after surgery — follow your surgeon's specific timeline.

Certain blood-thinning medications and supplements are commonly paused before surgery, but this must be confirmed individually with your surgeon and, where relevant, your prescribing doctor — do not stop any prescribed medication without medical advice.

Fasting instructions depend on the type of anaesthesia planned and will be given to you specifically before your procedure — always follow the instructions given for your case.

Typically an escort to accompany you home, someone to help for the first day or two if general anaesthesia or sedation is used, and time off work or normal duties as advised.

Recovery time depends heavily on the specific procedure — minor procedures may need only a few days, while major surgeries can take several weeks for initial recovery and longer for final results to settle.

Minor procedures generally involve a few days of swelling or bruising; moderate surgeries (such as liposuction or rhinoplasty) often need two to four weeks; major surgeries (such as facelift or reconstructive procedures) can take four to eight weeks or longer, with staged recovery.

This depends on the procedure and the physical demands of your work — your surgeon will give you a specific estimate based on your case.

Most surgeons ask patients to avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks after surgery, with a gradual return guided by healing — follow your individual post-operative plan.

Most surgical procedures leave some scarring. Surgeons use incision placement and technique to minimise visibility, but scars cannot generally be eliminated entirely.

Pain management is individualised and typically includes prescribed medication and clear guidance on what level of discomfort is expected versus what should be reported.

Follow-up schedules vary by procedure but generally include an early wound-check visit, suture removal if applicable, and one or more later reviews to assess healing and final results.

Signs such as increasing pain, spreading redness, fever, unusual swelling, wound discharge, or bleeding that doesn't settle should be reported to your surgical team promptly — you should be given specific guidance and a contact number for this before discharge.

Risks common to most procedures include bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, changes in sensation, anaesthesia-related complications, and the possibility of needing a revision procedure. Procedure-specific risks vary — see the relevant service section above.

Some discomfort is expected after most surgical procedures, but it is generally managed with prescribed pain relief — discuss expected pain levels for your specific procedure during consultation.

As with any surgery, complications are possible even with a skilled surgeon and careful planning. This is why informed consent, a thorough consultation, and choosing a qualified surgeon matter.

Ask this directly during consultation. A responsible practice should explain how complications are monitored for, how they are managed, and how you can reach the surgical team if something feels wrong after discharge.

No surgery is completely free of risk. "Zero risk" or "100% safe" claims should be treated with caution — a responsible surgeon will discuss real risks rather than dismiss them.

No. Individual healing, anatomy and response to surgery vary, so results cannot be guaranteed in advance for any patient.

Depending on the procedure, anaesthesia may be local (with or without sedation), regional, or general. The right choice depends on the extent of surgery and your health status.

This depends on the procedure, anaesthesia type, and your individual recovery — some procedures are day-care, others require overnight or longer admission.

Anaesthesia should be administered or supervised by a qualified anaesthetist — ask about this specifically as part of your consultation.

Anaesthesia risk varies by individual health status. Pre-operative assessment exists specifically to identify factors that affect anaesthesia safety for you.

Cost depends on the specific procedure, anaesthesia, facility fees, and case complexity. A meaningful estimate can only be given after an examination.

This varies by clinic and procedure — ask for a written breakdown of what is and isn't included before proceeding.

Generally no — a responsible surgeon needs to examine you and understand your specific case before giving a reliable cost estimate.

This depends on your specific policy and the procedure — reconstructive surgery for trauma or medical conditions is more commonly covered than elective cosmetic surgery, but you should confirm directly with your insurer.

Guaranteed results, pressure to decide immediately, reluctance to discuss risks, no clear information about the surgeon's qualifications, and prices quoted without an examination are all worth questioning.

Yes. No ethical surgeon can guarantee a specific outcome, since healing and results vary between individuals.

Ask directly for their qualification and registration details, and where possible cross-check with the relevant State Medical Council and professional-body membership directories rather than relying on a clinic's own website alone.

Many practices can show examples with patient consent. Remember that any individual example reflects that patient's anatomy and healing, not a promise for your own result.

You are not obligated to proceed after any consultation. It's reasonable to take time, ask further questions, or consult another surgeon before deciding.

Yes — this is a significant decision. Taking the time you need, and asking as many questions as necessary, is a normal and reasonable part of the process.

Yes, patients travel to Siliguri from across North Bengal and neighbouring regions for consultation and treatment.

Yes — Siliguri's connectivity to Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and surrounding districts makes it a practical location for patients from those areas to consult and follow up.

Siliguri functions as a regional healthcare hub for North Bengal, meaning patients from a wide catchment area can access specialist consultation locally rather than travelling further for an initial opinion.

Plastic Surgery Plus is located at Cosmo Surge Clinic, 3rd Floor, Shanti Nursing Home, Uday Shankar Sarani, near International Market, Mahakal Pally, Siliguri — see the map link in the contact section below for directions.

[VERIFY: confirm with the clinic whether tele-consultations are offered, and for which type of queries, before publishing this as a service.]

Rhinoplasty is nose-reshaping surgery that can address both cosmetic concerns and functional breathing issues caused by structural problems inside the nose.

Gynecomastia surgery reduces enlarged male breast tissue to create a flatter chest contour, using liposuction, gland excision, or both.

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that removes localised fat deposits; it is not a weight-loss treatment and works best on patients at a stable weight.

Abdominoplasty removes excess abdominal skin and tightens underlying muscle, often considered after pregnancy or significant weight loss.

Scar revision improves the appearance, texture or function of an existing scar; it does not remove a scar completely.

Burn reconstruction addresses contractures, scarring and functional limitations after burn injuries, often through staged procedures combined with physiotherapy.

Hand surgery treats fractures, tendon and nerve injuries, congenital hand differences, and post-traumatic reconstruction, aiming to restore movement, strength and sensation.

Cleft lip and palate surgery repairs congenital openings in the lip and/or palate, usually performed in stages during infancy and childhood alongside speech and dental care.

Yes. Common procedures for men include gynecomastia surgery, rhinoplasty, liposuction, hair transplant and facial contouring.

Hair transplantation is a cosmetic surgical procedure, though it is often performed as a distinct sub-specialty; suitability depends on the cause and pattern of hair loss.

Yes — reconstructive plastic surgery is frequently used to restore form and function after road-traffic accidents, falls, and other trauma.

You can request an appointment online, call +91 85970 37480 / +91 97757 55286, or email info@plasticsurgeryplus.in.