WORDS: OLIVIA MORRIS
New Lease of Life
What are common misconceptions about plastic surgery? The most common misconception about plastic surgery is that most think it can only be used to enhance physical appearance. Plastic surgery is a fascinating field that includes cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery such as trauma and breast cancer reconstruction. There can also be many functional advantages such as relief of back and neck pain after a breast reduction and improving breathing issues after a rhinoplasty and so on. Another misconception about plastic surgery is that it will make you look fake. You can still have plastic surgery, Botox and fillers with very natural results when done properly. How much has plastic surgery increased in the Middle East over the last decade? When I first set up my clinic in 2005, plastic surgery here in Dubai was still in its infancy. Over the last decade, it has increasingly gained popularity especially in the last two years and mainly due to women being more conscious. Can you talk us through your career? After completing high school in Dubai, I moved to Dublin when I was 17 years old to When you have clients coming in to see you, do they outline pursue my career in medicine. The decision to study medicine anyone, in particular, they want to look like? It is natural to came naturally to me since both my parents were doctors and use a known figure or celebrity as a reference point, most have been my role models. I then moved to the USA and comof my clients do that. In fact, I find it very helpful for patients to bring in images of what they like and don’t like pleted my residency in General and Plastic Surgery at Johns as it gives me a good indication of what they are trying to Hopkins Hospital. I worked in the USA for three years and achieve. It is rare, though, to have a patient that specifiobtained my Board Certifications before returning to the UAE cally wants to look like a celebrity. in 2002. After two years as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon in SKMC Abu Dhabi, I returned home to establish my clinic in However, there’s a side to plastic surgery many don’t see – 2005; that is when Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery was founded. how it can change people’s lives. Can you discuss with us What inspired you to enter the field of plastic surgery? I have how exactly it can do that? I truly feel blessed that I chose always loved art and aesthetics since childhood and I feel plastic surgery as my profession. It is very satisfying to plastic surgery is the perfect blend where art meets science. see how it can completely transform a person, and not You can literally work on any part of the body and see the just physically. I think it boils down to reframing perspectransformation immediately; I find this inspiring and fascitives… it not only changes how a person views the world nating. During my career, I realized that these transformaand themselves but also how the world views them. Under tions are not just physical but much more. the surface, I believe it is ultimately about the confidence of the inner self and how that is perceived on the outside. You’re the first Emirati female plastic surgeon in the UAE – what You opened your clinic in 2005. How have things evolved an incredible achievement. What was it like entering a malesince then? One of the significant changes I have noticed dominated field? In the USA, I was in a very competitive residency programme as Johns Hopkins was voted as the number is that people are more educated and well-versed in plastic one hospital in the USA. I was the first foreign graduate in surgery procedures. The demand for both surgical and nonthe programme. I worked very hard during that time and was surgical treatments has noticeably increased. Also, with truly grateful for this opportunity. Coming back to the UAE, I improved technologies, the non-surgical antiaging induswas surprised to find that my patients were more comfortable try has boomed. I have noticed that the age at which prosharing their concerns with me being a woman, and in fact, I cedures are being done is much younger than before. This felt it was an added advantage. could be due to social media and increased awareness.
112 emirateswoman.com
EW_102021_P112-113_Dr Buthainah Al Shunnar.indd 112
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
Dr Buthainah Al-Shunnar, the first Emirati female plastic surgeon, is breaking down barriers in a male-dominated field. Aiming to help people feel their best selves both inside and out, particularly for breast cancer sufferers, she tells us why plastic surgery is so much more than a simple nip and tuck
F E AT U R E
9/30/21 3:09 PM
