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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Ratgeber
- Sprache: Englisch
Cosmetic surgery is one of today's hottest topics. From daytime talk shows and popular magazines to conversations at the salon, it seems that almost everyone has had it, is thinking about it, or knows someone who is getting it. Statistics show more and more women--and men--are having cosmetic surgery. And with all the options now available, it's important to be fully informed before you make any decisions about having a procedure. Now, Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies is here to guide you through today's top procedures, candidly addressing both the benefits and the risks. R. Merrel Olesen, MD, the medical director of the La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, and Marie B.V. Olesen, a nationally known cosmetic surgery consultant, give you the tools you need to: * Decide if surgery is right for you * Find a qualified surgeon * Set realistic expectations * Evaluate the costs * Enhance your recovery and results This plain-English guide shows you how to take advantage of all the advances in cosmetic surgery while avoiding the pitfalls that could compromise your safety or the quality of your result. From implants to liposuction to Botox, you'll understand the right questions to ask your doctor, how to prepare for surgery (both physically and financially), and the best ways to influence the healing process. You'll also: * Discover the latest surgery techniques and medications * Understand the different surgeon specializations * Sort through the various non-surgical facial treatments * Evaluate your post-op care options * Cope with complications * Deal with family, friends, and coworkers before and after surgery Complete with lists of questions to ask before surgery and top Web sites for cosmetic surgery information, Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies is a practical, friendly guide that will help you say hello to a new you!
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Seitenzahl: 599
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011
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Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies®
by R. Merrel Olesen, MD and Marie B.V. Olesen
Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies®
Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: The contents of this work are intended to further general scientific research, understanding, and discussion only and are not intended and should not be relied upon as recommending or promoting a specific method, diagnosis, or treatment by physicians for any particular patient. The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation any implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. In view of ongoing research, equipment modifications, changes in governmental regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to the use of medicines, equipment, and devices, the reader is urged to review and evaluate the information provided in the package insert or instructions for each medicine, equipment, or device for, among other things, any changes in the instructions or indication of usage and for added warnings and precautions. Readers should consult with a specialist where appropriate. The fact that an organization or Website is referred to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher endorses the information the organization or Website may provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers should be aware that Internet Websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read. No warranty may be created or extended by any promotional statements for this work. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any damages arising herefrom.
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ISBN: 0-7645-7835-9
Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Authors
R. Merrel Olesen, MD, is medical director of the La Jolla (Calif.) Cosmetic Surgery Centre, which he founded in 1988. Dr. Olesen, the former head, Division of Plastic Surgery at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Medical Specialties in plastic surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery). Dr. Olesen completed surgical residencies at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NYC, and the University of Michigan Medical Center. He has over 35 years of surgical experience. Dr. Olesen is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
While Dr. Olesen’s busy cosmetic surgery practice attests to his surgical skill, he is known among his plastic surgery colleagues for his industry-transforming work in patient education. He authored patient-friendly informed consent and patient education materials that are used by over 950 plastic surgeons and have been translated into five languages.
As a double-boarded plastic surgeon, Dr. Olesen hopes that he has represented facial plastic surgeons fairly in this book, as he loved practicing ten years as a head and neck surgeon before training to become a plastic surgeon.
Marie B.V. Olesen is the vice president of Inform Solutions, a cosmetic surgery consulting company that is a subsidiary of Mentor Corporation. She is a national speaker and plastic surgery practice consultant. Marie teaches innovative customer service principles that enable plastic surgery practices to better serve cosmetic surgery patients. She has worked in healthcare management for over 25 years and holds a degree in public administration from San Diego State University.
In the late 1980s, Marie began surveying cosmetic surgery patients and found that they wanted better information and higher levels of participation in their surgical experience. She created a patient communication system that greatly enhanced patient satisfaction and developed metrics to measure practice success.
To enable other practices to use the patient education materials and systems they developed, the Olesens founded Inform Solutions, where Marie was the architect of two software programs used by plastic surgery practices to communicate with their cosmetic surgery patients.
Both Olesens are extremely concerned about the inherent dangers to the consumer in the current cosmetic surgery marketplace. These feelings have been a powerful stimulus toward the writing of this book. They are donating 50 percent of the proceeds of this book to charitable causes.
Dedication
We want to dedicate this book to our beloved mothers. Sally Bonvillain, who died recently after a wonderful life, was an incredibly positive person who always encouraged us in our work and our life. Lucile Olesen, who at 93, retains all of her mental, visual, and writing skills, is a world-class human being, adored by everyone who knows her.
Authors’ Acknowledgments
Traci Cumbay, project editor, and Tina Sims, copy editor, at Wiley Publishing have prodded and pushed us into writing a book that we hope will be useful to anyone considering cosmetic surgery. As nonprofessional writers, we have found the process harder than it looks. Their efforts have made a real difference.
A number of colleagues have contributed significantly to the medical information in this book. All busy with their own practices, they took time to heed our calls and to help make this a better book. Some of them already work in our practices, and we wish that they all could. Kudos to Lori Saltz, MD; Michael Roark, MD; Robert Kearney, MD; Johan Brahme, MD; Louis Bonaldi, MD; and Joe Bauer, MD — all plastic surgeons. Special thanks to Richard Fitzpatrick, MD, dermatologist, and to Gary Williams, MD, PhD, rheumatologist. We especially wish to give recognition to the members of Anesthesia Medical Group, who contribute so much to the care of patients in our practice and added their expertise: Andrew Heinle, MD; Gerald Haas, MD; Stuart Young, MD; Dayle O’Conner, MD; and Peter McElfresh, MD.
Others who have contributed in very intelligent and hard-working ways are Michele Ellingsen, Melissa Callahan, Monique Ramsey, Fredda Morgan, Annette Segal, and Donna Cook, RN. They have contributed ideas, grammar, photo organization, and logistical support. This book would not exist without them. We also wish to acknowledge and thank all the staff at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, who on a daily basis embody the patient care values we commend in this book.
We would like to thank the patients who so generously shared their personal stories. Marie wishes to thank her corporate bosses at Mentor for giving her permission to work on this book. Lastly, we would like to thank (we think!) Judi Strada, coauthor of Sushi For Dummies, who first suggested this book.
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editor: Traci Cumbay
Acquisitions Editor: Stacy Kennedy
Copy Editor: Tina Sims
Technical Editor: Donald R. Nunn, MD
Senior Permissions Editor: Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Manager: Jennifer Ehrlich
Editorial Assistants: Hanna Scott, Nadine Bell
Cover Photo: © Ron Chapple/Alamy Images/ ThinkStock
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Maridee Ennis, Emily Wichlinski
Layout and Graphics: Carl Byers, Andrea Dahl, Stephanie D. Jumper, Clint Lahnen, Heather Ryan, Brent Savage
Special Art: Illustrations by Kathryn Born, M.A.
Proofreaders: Leeann Harney, Jessica Kramer, Carl William Pierce, TECHBOOKS Production Services
Indexer: TECHBOOKS Production Services
Special Help: Elizabeth Rea
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
Contents
Title
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I : Considering Cosmetic Surgery
Chapter 1: Entering the Golden Age of Cosmetic Surgery
Putting the “Plastic” in Surgery
Looking Into Cultural Ideals about Looks
Tapping Into Cosmetic Surgery’s Popularity
Finding Out Who’s Going under the Knife
Investigating Issues for Kids and Teens
Evaluating Your Motivations
Shopping for Cosmetic Surgery
Being Realistic about Recovery and Results
Chapter 2: Making a Decision about Cosmetic Surgery
Finding Out whether Cosmetic Surgery Is Right for You
Determining whether You Are Right for Cosmetic Surgery
Finding Out What to Expect
Letting the Decision Be Yours Alone
Chapter 3: Looking Out for Your Safety
Protecting Yourself
Sorting Through Board Certification
Relying on the American Board of Medical Specialties
Understanding How Hospitals Handle Medical Specialization
Certifying Surgery Centers
Understanding Your Anesthesia Options
Getting the Best Results with Minimal Hassle
Part II : Preparing for Cosmetic Surgery
Chapter 4: Prequalifying: Beginning Your Search for a Surgeon
Creating a Solid Game Plan
Assembling Your List of Prospective Surgeons
Screening Surgeons
Chapter 5: Choosing Your Surgeon
Setting Realistic Expectations
Evaluating MD Experience
Getting the Information You Need from Consultations
Looking for Dr. Right
Making the Big Decision
Chapter 6: Getting Ready Financially
Dealing with Sticker Shock
Sorting Through Fee Quotes
Asking about Discounting
Considering the Cost of Recovery and Additional Surgery
Paying for Cosmetic Surgery
Chapter 7: Getting Ready Physically
Factoring Health into Your Decision
Understanding Preoperative Testing
Getting Ready for Surgery
Part III : Exploring Your Options
Chapter 8: Sprucing Up Your Face without Surgery
Getting Under Your Skin: Anatomy
Smoothing Wrinkles with Botox
Filling the Void with Dermal Injectables
Peeling and Resurfacing Solutions
Combining Facial Treatment Options
Identifying Pre- and Posttreatment Considerations
Chapter 9: Finding Out about Facial Cosmetic Surgery
Understanding Facial Aging
The Eyes Have It: Procedures for Your Brows and Lids
Putting On a Happy Face: Getting a Lift
Correcting Lost Facial Volume
Facing Up to Cosmetic Surgery
Assessing the Risks
Recovering from Facial Surgery
Chapter 10: Winning by a Nose: Rhinoplasty
Understanding the Anatomy of the Nose
Sniffing Out Motivations for Rhinoplasty
Checking Out the Rhinoplasty Options
Nosing Into Important Considerations
Understanding the Risks
Recovering from Rhinoplasty
Dealing with Disappointment
Chapter 11: Getting the Skinny on Liposuction
Understanding Body Fat
Checking Out Your Options
Deciding Whether Liposuction Is for You
Assessing the Risks
Getting Set for Surgery
Recovering from Liposuction
Chapter 12: Dejunking Your Trunk: Body Contouring Procedures
Checking Out Body Contouring Options
Deciding Whether Body Contouring Surgery Is for You
Making Sure Your Surgeon Is a Pro
Getting Set for Surgery and Recovery
Chapter 13: Restructuring Your Body after Massive Weight Loss
Knowing If and When You’re Ready for Body Contouring Procedures
Checking Out Your Options
Making the Right Choices
Preparing for Surgery
Understanding the Risks
Coping with Recovery
Chapter 14: Increasing Your Assets: Breast Augmentation
Sorting Out the Silicone Scare
Comparing Implant Options
Understanding Anatomy
Checking Into Types of Procedures
Identifying Implant Inspirations
Evaluating Before-and-After Photos
Assessing the Risks
Recovering from Breast Augmentation Surgery
Chapter 15: Getting a Pick-Me-Up: Breast Lift
Understanding the Anatomy of the Breast
Checking Out Your Breast Lift Options
Deciding Whether a Breast Lift Is for You
Evaluating Before-and-After Photos of Breast Lifts
Understanding the Risks
Recovering from Breast Lift Surgery
Chapter 16: Streamlining Your Form with Breast Reduction
Understanding Anatomy
Checking Out Breast Reduction Options
Looking at Common Reasons for Reductions
Understanding the Risks
Evaluating Before-and-After Photos
Recovering from Breast Reduction
Part IV : Going for It: Preparation and Recovery
Chapter 17: Assessing the Risks and Preparing for Surgery
Assessing the Risks
Reducing Fear and Anxiety
Preparing for Your Recovery
Chapter 18: Recovering after Surgery
Following Instructions, or Doctor Knows Best
Knowing What’s Normal
Easing into Activity
Dealing with the Emotional Aspects of Recovery
Chapter 19: Finding Happy Endings
Assessing Your Result
Dealing with Disappointment
Ending Up Happy
Part V : The Part of Tens
Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Myths about Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery Is the Key to Happiness
Cosmetic Surgery Will Solve All Your Problems
You Can Have Scar-Free Cosmetic Surgery
You Can Address Big Issues with Small Operations
The Newest Procedure Is the Best One
The Most Famous Surgeon Is the Best
You Get What You Pay For
Silicone Isn’t Safe
Local Anesthesia Is Always Safer than General Anesthesia
There’s Plastic in Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery Lasts Forever
Chapter 21: Ten Questions to Ask Yourself before Pursuing Cosmetic Surgery
What Bothers Me?
How Much Do I Want to Change It?
What’s My Motivation to Change?
Do I Understand All My Options?
Will Family and Friends Accept My Choice?
After Surgery, Can I Hide Out or Do I Have to Tell All?
How Am I Going to Pay for the Surgery?
Do I Have Time for Recovery?
Can I Cope with Complications?
How Do I Find the Right Surgeon?
Chapter 22: (Almost) Ten Ways to Get Great Results from Cosmetic Surgery
Know What You Want
Allow Yourself Time to Decide
Make the Right Choice
Choose a Top-Notch Support Team
Create a Personal Support System
Avoid Financial Pressure
Follow Your Surgical Team’s Instructions
Set Realistic Expectations
Improve Your Lifestyle
Appendix: Internet Resources
Medical Organization Sites
Professional Society Sites
Facility Certification Sites
Public Information Sites
Researching Patient Financing
Introduction
Cosmetic surgery is a hot topic! These days, every daytime talk show, popular magazine, late night show, salon conversation, daily newspaper, lunch with the girls, locker room discussion, fashion magazine, and yes, even reality TV show covers the subject, sooner or later.
Most likely you’re also aware of someone — even if it’s a television commentator — who’s had cosmetic surgery. Procedures that once were limited to people in the entertainment or television industry are now being performed on plenty of people who aren’t celebrities. You may have friends, colleagues, or acquaintances who have had cosmetic surgery. People from all walks of life — teachers, golfers, grandmas, and computer programmers — are doing it. As the statistics prove, more and more women and men — yes men — are having cosmetic surgery. If you’re thinking about becoming one of those people, Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies is for you.
About This Book
Science is making cosmetic surgery safer, easier, and more effective. New drugs, new techniques, and new training are all evolving to make these procedures more affordable and available across the country and around the world. As you consider cosmetic surgery for yourself, I give you advice in this book that can help you make informed decisions about your key choices — your surgeon, the operating facility and anesthesia provider, and the surgeon’s patient-care team. If you want to take advantage of all the advances in cosmetic surgery while avoiding the pitfalls that could compromise your safety or the quality of your result, reading this book can help you do just that.
As you read the information in this book about cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments, you can assume we made every attempt to give you the most current information available when we wrote the book. However, medicine and medical techniques evolve constantly. Surgeons are always looking for better ways of doing things. Rules and regulations by the federal government, states, credentialing organizations, and medical specialties change as well. Our bias as authors is that surgical training and certification are important safeguards that put the odds in your favor.
If you’re looking for answers to your questions about cosmetic surgery, this book is for you. If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, wondering how to pay for it, or asking yourself whether it’s safe, this book is for you. If you’re fascinated with the science of the new procedures or the corrections available for problems caused by genetics or gravity, we can help you understand them.
You probably realize that beyond skin deep, cosmetic surgery has both immediate and long-lasting effects on the social, psychological, sexual, and even spiritual well-being of the people having it done. We include many stories of real patients who talk about the wonderful changes that occurred in their lives as a result of making changes to their bodies. We believe that your physical appearance, self-confidence, and mental outlook are interconnected. Changing one aspect of yourself can bring about positive changes that are much more far-reaching than the physical ones you anticipate.
The book is organized so that you can start reading anywhere you want. You don’t have to read it from cover to cover. Just pick a topic from the table of contents or index that interests you and jump in.
Conventions Used in This Book
Although this book was co-written by two authors, I (Dr. Olesen) supplied the medical information. The patient references are to my practice and my patients, so that’s why you see “I” used in most cases instead of “we.” But keep in mind that my wife, Marie, is the driving force behind this book. Her desire to help you make an informed decision about cosmetic surgery is what kept the project (and me) going full steam ahead. She’s as familiar as I am with every word on these pages because she’s written a significant portion of this book.
To help you navigate through this book, we’ve established the following conventions:
Italic is used for emphasis and to highlight new words or terms that are defined.
Monofont is used for Web addresses.
Sidebars, which are shaded gray boxes full of text, consist of information that’s interesting but not necessarily critical to your understanding of the topic.
What You’re Not to Read
Depending on how much you really want to know, you may want to skip anything marked with a Technical Stuff icon. In those paragraphs, we get specific about procedures or anatomy. If you find this detailed information interesting, by all means, dig in! But if you’d prefer not to know the nitty-gritty details, feel free to skip them. You won’t miss out on anything you need to know to make informed decisions.
Foolish Assumptions
In order to write this book, we had to make some assumptions about you and your needs. We assume that one or more of the following statements apply to you:
You’re considering cosmetic surgery and want to know what all the excitement is about.
You’ve decided you’re ready for cosmetic surgery and want to be an informed consumer.
You have a friend or family member who’s considering cosmetic surgery and you want to help them make the right decision.
You’re looking for cosmetic facial rejuvenation treatments that are alternatives or complement cosmetic surgery.
You’ve had successful cosmetic surgery in the past and you’re ready for more.
You had a negative outcome from cosmetic surgery and want to explore your options for future surgery.
How This Book Is Organized
We’ve organized the book into five parts — from considering the idea of cosmetic surgery to recovery issues and everything in between. You can follow the process sequentially or go directly to the issues that most concern you first.
Part I: Considering Cosmetic Surgery
Start with this part if you want an overview of cosmetic surgery. We deal with the kinds of issues that motivate people to have cosmetic surgery and give you the lowdown on medical specialization and surgical safety issues.
Part II: Preparing for Cosmetic Surgery
If you’re a smart shopper and use good consumer principles, you can increase the likelihood of having a wonderful experience and a positive change in your life. In this part, we explain a formal shopping process and suggest shopping criteria that can help you make a wise choice of your surgeon, operating facility, and patient care team. We also give you tips for getting ready for surgery — financially and physically.
Part III: Exploring Your Options
This part gives you the nitty-gritty on most of the cosmetic surgery procedures available to you. We give you details about everything from freshening the skin on your face to giving your butt or thighs a lift. You find all the details you need to determine whether you’re a good candidate for a particular procedure, what you can expect if you decide to have it, and how to find the right surgeon for the job.
Part IV: Going for It: Preparation and Recovery
If you opt for surgery, you’ll want to understand the risks and plan carefully for your entire surgical and recovery experience. Your activities and attitudes influence the healing process and speed or retard recovery. In this part, we offer strategies for dealing with the outside world before and after surgery, handling any complications that may arise, and moving forward when the result of your surgery isn’t what you expected. We also cover what you can do after a positive outcome to go forward and take pleasure in the new you and enhance your enjoyment of your life.
Part V: The Part of Tens
In this part, we give you ten tips for getting the most from your cosmetic surgery, debunk ten lingering myths about cosmetic surgery, and offer questions to ask yourself to find out whether cosmetic surgery really is right for you.
Icons Used in This Book
Like other For Dummies books, this one has icons in the margins to help you zero in on what you want to know. The following paragraphs describe the kinds of information each icon highlights.
When something is likely to save you time or money or keep your cosmetic surgery experience running smoothly, we point you to it with this icon.
Cosmetic surgery is complex, so we use this icon to highlight the really essential issues — stuff you’ll want to keep in mind as you navigate the maze of options.
Whenever we talk about potential hazards along the road to cosmetic surgery, we use this icon.
If you aren’t planning on going to medical school, you can skip these details. We use this icon to point out stuff that goes deeper into the topic than you may care to go.
We use this icon to share personal stories of real cosmetic surgery patients.
Where to Go from Here
Start anywhere you like. Read the sections that most intrigue you; skip those you know you aren’t interested in. If you’re just delving into your options and haven’t decided whether cosmetic surgery is for you, we suggest you start with Part I. If you’re ready to shop, you’ll likely find Part II has the information you want. Check out Part III for information about specific procedures.
However you choose to approach this book, just remember that behind all the glitz and glamour, this is real surgery, and details make a difference. Don’t stop looking for information until you feel comfortable with every aspect of your decision.
Part I
Considering Cosmetic Surgery
In this part . . .
Cosmetic surgery is growing by leaps and bounds as medical science progresses and more and more people decide to do something about outsides they don’t feel match their insides. In this part, I tell you about the current cosmetic surgery boom and fill you in on making the very big decision to take the leap. Because cosmetic surgery is real surgery and comes with the risks that are part and parcel of going under the knife, I also tell you how to keep yourself as safe as possible.
Chapter 1
Entering the Golden Age of Cosmetic Surgery
In This Chapter
Defining the types of plastic surgery
Understanding cosmetic surgery’s popularity
Looking at who’s having cosmetic surgery
Evaluating your motivations
Going shopping for a cosmetic surgeon
Taking a realistic approach to recovery
Like any golden age, cosmetic surgery’s golden age is flourishing and creating happiness among its devotees. The combination of science, society, and psychology has created this renaissance. New techniques, improved materials, and better training have catapulted cosmetic surgery (once reserved for the famous, the brave, and the rich) into the mainstream.
Cosmetic surgery is now safer, easier, and more affordable than ever before. Out of the closet, it has taken center stage in the self-improvement world and is being embraced by millions every year. Some patients are choosing facial surgery — eyelifts, facelifts, nose reshaping, and chin implants. Other patients are changing the contours of their bodies with liposuction, breast surgery, tummy tucks, and other even arm and thigh lifts.
Cosmetic surgery is real surgery, so you need to be an informed consumer. We cover the subject from A to Z. You can benefit greatly from approaching your decision as a serious one and taking the time to fully use the tools presented in this book.
Putting the “Plastic” in Surgery
You’ve heard the terms plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, and reconstructive surgery bandied about, and you’re confused. No wonder. You’ll see both medical and marketing uses of these terms and when you see them, you need to know what they mean.
When you hear the word plastic, you probably think of the modern material that’s molded into myriad products — patio chairs, kids’ toys, kitchen glasses, and airline knives and forks. The list goes on and on. This plastic isn’t what we’re talking about. Actually, the word comes from the Greek word “plastikos” or the later Latin word “plasticus,” both of which mean “to shape or mold.” Plastic surgeons shape or mold your body into new and more pleasing forms.
Another form of this word, the suffix -plasty, is used in the names of many plastic surgery procedures. In the mid-1800s, the medical term for nose reshaping came to be rhinoplasty — rhino (for nose) plus plasty (to describe the shaping technique). Other examples include abdominoplasty (reshaping of your abdomen), mammoplasty (changing the shape of your breasts), and blepharoplasty (reshaping of your eyelids).
As defined by the American Medical Association, the medical specialty of plastic surgery includes two subcategories of procedures:
Cosmetic: Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem.
Reconstructive: Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal features of the body (usually caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, infection, tumors, or disease). It is generally done to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.
Cosmetic surgery improves form, whereas reconstructive surgery improves function.
Defining cosmetic surgery
The primary purpose of cosmetic surgery is to improve your form, or appearance. In cosmetic surgery (sometimes called aesthetic surgery), you take a normal or near-normal part of the body and alter it to make it look better. For example, a young man with a weak chin line seeks cosmetic surgery to alter his profile. Or a 60-year-old woman with a face that is normal for a 60-year-old decides to get a facelift to improve her appearance.
The most common cosmetic surgery procedures are the following:
Liposuction
Breast surgery
Nose reshaping
Eyelid lift
Tummy tuck
Facelift
The rate at which these procedures are performed has been growing exponentially for many years. From 1997 to 2003, the number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures grew from 2.1 million to 8.3 million, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. If this keeps up, you won’t have a neighbor or coworker who hasn’t has something lifted, tightened, augmented, or filled.
Cosmetic surgery and cosmetic surgeons are not synonymous. If you or a loved one is considering a cosmetic surgery procedure, you really need to know whether the surgeon you’re consulting is trained in plastic surgery. Some doctors, even good ones in other fields, hoping to blur the boundaries of training and experience, run ads calling themselves cosmetic surgeons. This is perfectly legal in many places. They may be wonderful physicians, dermatologists or OB-GYNs, for example, but they never had specialized training in plastic surgery, never did a residency, and so are not as qualified to give you the best result. (Chapter 3 tells you more about this topic.)
Ask, ask, and then ask again to verify that the person who will do the surgery you want is trained in the specialty of plastic surgery or a surgical specialty that includes training in the procedure you want.
Understanding reconstructive surgery
During reconstructive surgery, the surgeon works with a body part that is not within a range of normal appearance to make it look more normal. Generally disease, deformity, or trauma prompts patients to seek reconstructive surgery. The repair of a cleft lip or reconstruction of breasts after cancer is considered reconstructive surgery, not cosmetic surgery, because the body part that is being improved didn’t start out in a range of normal appearance; rather, it’s being brought back to a normal appearance or function.
Other common reconstructive procedures include facial reconstruction after serious accidents and hand surgery for work-related injuries or degenerative diseases such as arthritis.
Blending cosmetic and reconstructive techniques
Sometimes the cosmetic and reconstructive techniques are combined in one procedure that improves both appearance and function. An example is a rhino/septoplasty, in which the rhino portion of the surgery shapes the outer nose and the septo portion improves the breathing function of the inner nose.
Looking Into Cultural Ideals about Looks
Cosmetic surgery deals primarily with the “ideal” appearance, which is shaped by the culture and the time in which you live. Right or wrong, our modern culture places enormous emphasis on youth and appearance. People who don’t embody the ideals often feel inferior or left out. Children who don’t fit within the norms are often teased and sometimes shunned.
Many people think this view is shallow, that it ought to be different — that the prevailing cultural emphasis on youth and appearance is wrong. They may be right. But it’s almost impossible to be part of a society and not be affected by the expectations and views of the people around you. Your views of beauty are defined, reinforced, or challenged by the world around you.
For centuries, people have been working to change the way they look to meet cultural ideals of beauty. They’ve used cosmetics, costumes, and accessories and even changed the shape of their bodies. Chinese mothers bound their daughters’ feet from birth to keep them tiny. People across the ages and across cultures created all kinds of techniques and used many types of materials to improve their appearance.
Plastic surgeons didn’t invent the concept of enhancing personal beauty; they just took it to another level. The modern version is that advances in medicine, including the discovery of antibiotics, now make cosmetic surgery solutions a safe option for the general public.
Tapping Into Cosmetic Surgery’s Popularity
You may wonder how surgery, once thought of as risky, at best, and dangerous, at worst, attracts millions of people. Cosmetic surgery is pervasive in the media and becoming more so in daily conversation and daily life. You can’t escape the news surrounding this topic, especially in the Information Age. You may occasionally retreat from the world, but unless you’ve chosen to live as a recluse, hidden in a cave, you’ll be exposed to cosmetic surgery — and often.
It’s not only Las Vegas showgirls, actors, and entertainers who seek help when they want to change their appearance. Programmers, professors, secretaries, and pop stars do it, too. You may notice your grocer or hairdresser looking different. At a college reunion, you may find classmates who seem to have changed a lot less than you expected. Seeing results everywhere may make you yearn for a personal change. Finding out about advances in medicine can help you decide to go for it.
As people find out who is having surgery and how these people look afterward, cosmetic surgery’s popularity increases. Results are becoming more natural and easier to obtain. If you’re considering surgery yourself, finding out that science has made leaps and bounds in anesthesia, antibiotics, and surgical techniques is reassuring. Learning about the training and specializations that plastic surgeons undertake helps you understand that it works and why it works.
Living dangerously for beauty?
If you read about fashion and surf the ‘Net, you may have read that the first cosmetic surgery was performed on Victorian women who underwent surgical removal of their ribs in order to conform to the Victorian emphasis on small waists. This is a myth. Fatality rates for amputations performed in the mid-1800s were high. With odds like these, it’s hard to imagine anyone voluntarily having surgery:
Forearm: 13 percent
Arm: 52 percent
Leg: 50 percent
Thigh: 85 percent
Finding Out Who’s Going under the Knife
Although cosmetic surgery used to be for the rich and famous, now everyone is doing it. From school teachers to trial lawyers to real estate agents, all kinds of people are opting for cosmetic surgery. If your job puts you before the public, you may be particularly interested in cosmetic surgery.
With such a surge in popularity of cosmetic surgery, it may be easier to put your finger on who’s not going under the knife than who is. Certain religions or sects frown on personal adornment, let alone cosmetic surgery. And if you have certain health problems — you’re a smoker or diabetic, for example — having cosmetic surgery may not be possible. (Chapter 7 tells you more about which conditions make surgery risky.) But if you’ve got the desire and have the money and the time, options abound for fixing pretty much whatever bothers you about the skin you’re in.
Men get into the act
If you think only women are interested in improving their appearance, you’re a little off base. Statistics show that 82 percent of all cosmetic surgery consumers are women. That’s still pretty high when compared to men, but 18 percent is nothing to sneeze at. Business, a longer life span, public acceptance, and more openness about the subject all combine to make many men comfortable with an exploration of cosmetic surgery.
Many men want the same procedures as women. Rhinoplasty, eyelid lifts, and liposuction are popular. Generally, cosmetic surgery for men is modified from the female version of the same procedure. Often that means less extreme. In facial surgery, the placement of incisions is different because men need their scars hidden behind a male hairstyle or receding hairline.
Young people take the leap
If you think cosmetic surgery is only for the 45-and-above crowd, think again. In 2003, almost 336,000 teens 18 or younger had some kind of cosmetic surgery or procedure, a 50 percent increase over 2002. The most popular procedures for this age group were facial peels and nose reshaping. Breast augmentation and liposuction were way down on the list. Naturally, parental consent is needed for patients under 18.
Cosmetic surgery among those between 19 and 25 years old also is exploding. Young women seeking breast augmentation and liposuction, as well as nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) are heading to their plastic surgeons in droves and getting the inside scoop on what’s possible. Although many still turn to older adults for support and money, this group is completely comfortable with the idea of aesthetic improvement. Young adults read the magazines and view the shows that deal with this topic. They are also seeking romance, so how they look and feel about themselves is an important concern. They’re not going to suffer in silence; they’re going to get it fixed.
Surgery for the older set
Clearly, both men and women want to look good at any age. Today, even many older people — people who are capable and fit and often still employed — don’t want to look their age. They know that modern culture and the business world are often prejudiced against them. A youthful appearance can often be the key to keeping a job, and cosmetic surgery is the way to achieve that look.
The good news is that cosmetic surgery done by a qualified and trained plastic surgeon in a good facility is generally safe at any age. Age is no barrier to someone healthy, but surgeons may adapt or modify surgeries for people past age 65. For example, most anesthesiologists begin to set limits on the amount of surgery that can be performed, and surgeons would perform less-extensive body contouring procedures for this age group. Happily, older people are more concerned with how they look in clothes rather than out of them, so this approach a good match.
More and more of the over-65 group — including people in and out of the workplace — are also seeking solutions to issues with their appearance, regardless of whether they feel discriminated against or not. When these people start feeling a disconnect between what shows up in the mirror and they way they feel, many consider doing something about it rather than coping, as their parents did. This age group is more active and vital than ever. Aided by medications and living a longer life span, most want to enjoy their golden years. For some people, looking more in tune with how they feel helps makes the rewards of a long career and success even sweeter.
Investigating Issues for Kids and Teens
You probably remember or may have even experienced yourself how unforgiving children and teens can be to the kids that don’t fit it. Although cosmetic surgery can’t change your kid’s IQ or height, it can solve some issues that can significantly change appearance — protruding ears, large noses, or weak chins. In cases of severe acne, teens and their parents often decide on laser peels that make high school social life easier.
Popular procedures for teens
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients 18 or younger had the following procedures in 2003:
Chemical peel: 126,327
Microdermabrasion: 74,722
Nose reshaping: 42,515
Ear surgery: 15,973
Botox injections: 5,606
Collagen injections: 4,094
Sclerotherapy: 4,002
Breast augmentation: 3,841
Male breast reduction*: 3,033
Liposuction: 3,017
* Breast reduction in women is considered reconstructive surgery.
If you’re a parent who wants your child to avoid the stigma of these issues, you may be open to having whatever concerns your child has surgically corrected. You need to be particularly sensitive to your child’s own desires and dig deep to find the real problem. Foisting a surgical procedure on an immature young person (even for his benefit) is a recipe for disaster. It’s best if your child or teen expresses the desire first. Then you want to be sure he or she is engaged every step of the way and fully understands what is involved before, during, and after the surgery. The child also needs to fully understand and be realistic about outcomes. If you’re considering helping your teen through this process, ask your child for his or her opinion and then listen carefully to his or her responses.
You need to be careful when deciding upon surgery for a teenager. Teens are still growing, so their bodies continue to develop and, in some cases, develop a lot. Hormonal activity continues to shift. Maturity and clearheadedness about expectations are other issues to consider. You need to be cautious when choosing a surgeon. You’ll want someone who is sensitive to these issues and develops rapport with your child or teenager.
More than for any other age group, if you are considering cosmetic surgery for your child or teen, you want to consult with several qualified surgeons and be sure that everyone agrees about the best course for your child.
Evaluating Your Motivations
So you may be you are asking yourself, “Do I need cosmetic surgery?” My answer is that no one needs cosmetic surgery. You may want to have it, but don’t kid yourself: If you decide to have surgery, it’s because you’ve identified it as something you want to do.
Ultimately, only you can decide what’s best for you. You do have some things to consider when making the decision. Evaluate what you consider to be your flaws. Sure, other people may identify as flaws the very things that irk you, your quirky and unique features, but only if you’re bothered by them, really bothered, should you consider doing something. Keep track for a while of how often these flaws surface in your mind.
If you think of them every day, you have more reason to go forward than if you remember a flaw once a year when you pull a particular outfit from the closet. Journaling or even keeping a notepad where you tick off the times during a day or week when your mind lingers upon what you don’t like about your appearance will help you evaluate how important this concern is to you.
Maybe some mornings you’re brushing your teeth or hair and notice that you just don’t look as good as you feel. Or a snapshot shows up those things about your appearance you’d rather not see. You may be shopping for clothes and suddenly realize you’ve got to do something after you see yourself in a full-length, three-way mirror. You may shrug and say, “Oh well, I’m getting older” and go on about your life. Or you may think, “Maybe I can improve upon Mother Nature, but more along the lines of a tune-up and oil change.” Or you may want a complete overhaul — your own Extreme Makeover.
You may not want to be a fashion model, but you may want to wear the current fashions. You may not want to look like an actor but still want to look as successful as you feel on the job. Go through the process of evaluating carefully. Get real with yourself. After all, surgery is never something to be taken lightly. You may realize that you’re okay with your looks — or you may really want an improvement.
If you discover through tracking and asking the hard questions that you really do want to make a change, grant yourself permission. Check out Chapter 2 for more details about making your decision.
Depending on your philosophy, comfort level, desire for change, budget, and willingness to take risks, you will decide if, how much, and how extensively you want to change your appearance. You may be one of those people who, after making sure you can afford it, decide to “go for the gold.” If you’re like these folks, you decide that if you’re going to have surgery, then you want to correct all the things about your appearance that bother you. Or you may instead choose to take things more slowly, focusing on one procedure to see what kind of difference it makes in how you look and feel. If you have a great experience, then you may want to go back for more.
Shopping for Cosmetic Surgery
If you’re thinking about having cosmetic surgery and starting your shopping process, you’re going to be confronted with a lot of acronyms and you may feel like you’ve been dropped into a bowl of alphabet soup. Trying to make sense of who is who and what is what in the wide world of cosmetic surgery isn’t easy. Between your friends, advertising, and the popular press, you can gather lots of good information, but unfortunately, you’ll hear some things that are either misleading or downright wrong. Misinformation abounds in the field of cosmetic surgery. You need to play detective to get to the truth. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 give you all the information you need to shop for — and find — the right surgeon.
Shopping may or may not be your thing, but when you’re shopping for cosmetic surgery, you better know what you’re doing or you could really endanger yourself. You need to shop intelligently after first finding out how to proceed. You need recommendations or leads, and you must get estimates of the cost so you can budget. (Chapter 6 discusses the financial issues.) You have to find a good surgeon and explore your surgical options (which you can read about in Part III). This may sound like a lot of work, but spending your time finding out how to shop for a surgeon is a lot better than spending time regretting your decision.
If you want to find a good surgeon, you have to educate yourself. You have to make sense of certification (see Chapter 3) so that you can evaluate the doctors you’ll visit. Be on the lookout for someone well educated, properly trained, board-certified, and experienced in the procedure you’ve decided on. You want to be sure that your surgery is being performed in a safe setting with an appropriate anesthesia provider. You also want to choose a capable patient-care team to see you through the preparation and recovery process.
More importantly, you’ll have to determine the risk-to-benefit ratio. It sounds scientific and tough to do, but really it isn’t. Every surgery has risk factors, but every surgery also benefits the patient in some way. As an intelligent person, you’ll want to know about the risks (which I discuss in Chapter 17) and weigh the benefits — in other words, become an informed consumer — before finally making your decision.
Finding Dr. Right
Beverly, a 60-year-old retired elementary principal with seven grandchildren, inherited her mother’s and grandmother’s tendency to wrinkle and decided to pursue facial surgery. She felt that as a professional woman she needed to look younger and healthier.
She approached the process of choosing a surgeon seriously. Beverly wanted to know their skills, so she did her Internet research. She developed a group of questions to compare surgeons and facilities. She decided to have consults with three surgeons, all of whom were board-certified plastic surgeons with accredited facilities. She determined that the three surgeons produced similar quality results.
Beverly based her ultimate decision on a variety of factors she could discern only in on-site consultation visits. Here’s what she had to say about making her decision, “Actually, I liked another surgeon’s personality better, but the surgeon I chose recorded his thoughts and assessments and sent a follow-up letter. He was professional and knowledgeable. The nurses and front office staff were professional, reassuring, and knowledgeable. They really were the deciding factor with my list of pros and cons for surgeons and facilities.”
Her advice if you’re considering cosmetic surgery: “Do research, ask questions, and go into surgery with total confidence in the surgeon, facility, and the staff — especially the nurses. Go for it! This is one area I would never look for a ‘bargain.’ While cost is a factor, it is better to save for a few more months than accept anything but the best surgeon.”
And did her system work? Here’s what she has to say about her ultimate result and the impact on her life: “My eyes look livelier, and the forehead wrinkles have decreased. I have more self-confidence that people will see the real me when they look at my face. I recently interviewed for a job, knowing that I looked my best, and I was hired. My life hasn’t changed — I have an active, fun, interesting life. What has changed is that my face matches my energetic youthful feeling.”
Being Realistic about Recovery and Results
Sometimes being realistic is a challenge, but if you’re considering cosmetic surgery, you’ll need to know what’s possible and more likely to happen. Aligning your expectations with what is really possible makes for a successful surgery. An obese person who wants liposuction to substitute for dieting and good health habits isn’t being realistic. If he imagines that he’ll suddenly have the smooth body of a weightlifter, he’ll be terribly disappointed. But someone who’s already lost massive amounts of weight and wants a body lift to remove the extra skin is more realistic and may be very happy so long as he understands the scarring involved. Be fully informed and accept what your surgeon can and cannot do. Yes, lots of patients call their procedures “miracles,” but remember these are scientific miracles, limited and on a human scale.
You also need to be realistic about your recovery (see Chapter 18). You can take steps yourself to positively affect your recovery, including being in great physical shape and creating the necessary time and conditions to rest and heal. Don’t imagine that recovery is instantaneous. Your recovery will take time, so plan for it.
Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, even with the best of surgeons, things can go wrong or complications arise. You’ll want to know how the practice you’ve chosen handles these situations. Find out what to expect from the doctor, the nurse, or other team members. Also find out in advance what complications are normal for this procedure and whether there’s anything you can do to help prevent them. For example, you’ll want to be completely honest with your surgeon about your health history, the medications you take, drug allergies, other sensitivities, and specific health conditions. Although you may think these things may be unrelated to plastic surgery, let the doctors — the surgeon and anesthesiologist — work with the most information to get you the best result. Many offices handle complications well, wholeheartedly support their patients, and fully resolve any problems. Look for a practice with that motivation and reputation.
If you go by the numbers, your surgical experience will be a happy one. You’ll come through surgery with a normal healing phase and reenter your life feeling better about your appearance and with a better self-image — like you’ve had an emotional facelift.
Chapter 2
Making a Decision about Cosmetic Surgery
In This Chapter
Understanding your motivations
Deciding whether your health and bank account can handle surgery
Being prepared for all the possibilities
Making a decision that’s yours alone
Cosmetic surgery used to be for the rich and famous and sometimes for the self-centered and vain. Today, however, most cosmetic surgery patients are average, everyday people who wish to improve their lives in a positive, happy way. We’re presuming that if you’re reading this book, you’re looking for good information to help you evaluate the many implications of this important choice and make a more informed decision. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what other folks are doing or why. You must make an intensely personal decision and decide whether cosmetic surgery is right for you.
Finding Out whether Cosmetic Surgery Is Right for You
Cosmetic surgery can be one of the most life-changing and positive experiences over which you have control. Although cosmetic surgery brings happiness to millions of people, your chances for success are much greater if you begin from the right emotional and psychological place. If you’re healthy (physically and psychologically) and can afford it, then you may well choose to consider cosmetic surgery.
When you’re facing a decision of this importance, introspection is a good thing. Spend more time exploring your concerns and understanding your motivations. If your concerns are real and your motivations are emotionally sound, then you may well give yourself the green light to change some aspect of your physical appearance. But, if you’re looking to cosmetic surgery to change your life and resolve significant social or psychological issues, then your first visit should be to a psychologist rather than a plastic surgeon.
Assessing what bothers you
Not everyone who looks in the mirror sees flaws. A lot more people live comfortably within their skin than choose to change their appearance surgically. Unlike the wicked queen in Snow White, most cosmetic surgery patients are not seeking to be “the fairest one of all.” They’re more likely to say, “I just want to look like myself, only better.”
As you think about your motivations and concerns, you want to be sure that you know exactly what’s bothering you and can describe it clearly to someone else. See Chapter 21 for a list of questions to ask yourself before having cosmetic surgery.
One way of measuring how important the physical changes are to you is to assess how often you think about them. Do your concerns bother you daily or weekly? If you experience top-of-the-mind awareness, then it’s probably time to start your research.
The following factors motivate many patients to pursue cosmetic surgery:
Genetics: You can choose your friends but not your relatives and certainly not your genetics. You look in the mirror and see your Italian grandpa’s big nose staring back at you. Your Irish freckles may appeal to your mother, but not to you. Your family origins — be they Asian, African-American, or Italian — dictate physical characteristics, including body fat distribution, that you may not want to live with.
Aging: Even if you like your basic looks, Father Time still chases you. Your wrinkles appear without permission, and it isn’t just because you’ve been laughing a lot. Gravity has its uses, like keeping your feet on the ground, but it takes a toll on your body. The loose skin around your eyes or chin and neck may connote wisdom and longevity to some minds, but not to yours.
Sun damage: You may be one of the many people who didn’t even know UV rays caused skin damage — you just thought you were basking in the sun, getting a great tan. Maybe you know about UV rays now but don’t care, and you’re still frolicking outdoors or playing golf or tennis without SPF skin protection. But the day of reckoning comes when you look in the mirror and see leathery skin staring back at you, or that first basal cell grabs your attention.
Post-traumatic injuries and scarring: You may have hit your cheek on the corner of a table when you were a child and have a depressed scar that bothers you. Or you may have very noticeable scars from previous surgery or a burn. Once you have a scar you’ll always have a scar, but you’ll be happy to know that cosmetic surgeons have at least partial solutions for almost all these problems.
Physical conditions: A variety of physical conditions have unpleasant symptoms that prompt people to consider cosmetic surgery. Eyelid surgery can correct limits in peripheral vision; nasal surgery can reduce or eliminate breathing problems. Body reconstruction can take care of many of the physical symptoms that follow massive weight loss (see Chapter 13.) Breast reduction surgery can relieve back and neck pain and chafing under the breasts (see Chapter 16).
Smoking-induced premature aging: Smoking compounds and accelerates the effects of aging on your skin. Both first- and secondhand smoke can be detrimental to your skin. If you smoke, you may not be a candidate for certain cosmetic surgery procedures. See Chapter 7 and the individual procedure chapters for more information.
Determining why you want a change
Whatever you hear, see, and encounter in your life becomes part of who you are. You can’t get away from the world you live in, and it’s only natural to want to fit in with your friends, families, and co-workers and to achieve whatever you can be in your personal life or career. Cosmetic surgery can really help you make changes in your physical appearance that enhance your self-image and enjoyment of life, and plastic surgeons feel that motivations like I describe in the following sections are valid reasons for having surgery.
Being career-minded
Sometimes having cosmetic surgery is a business decision. If you have a job that involves meeting the public, your appearance may be of special concern to you. Looking good and projecting confidence are assets to any career. When you walk out your door in the morning, you want to look and feel your best.
More and more people from all walks of life are coming to plastic surgeons citing workplace issues as a primary motivator. Our culture places enormous emphasis on youth, and older workers can feel threatened or disadvantaged in the workplace. Repeatedly, patients tell me versions of the following: “All the salespeople in our company are young, and I’m beginning to look old. I’m worried about keeping my job.”
Looking old and feeling young
One of the most common concerns boomers and preboomers describe is the dissonance between how they feel internally and how they look in the mirror. If all else in your life is in order, then cosmetic surgery may be a means to reconcile the differences you perceive. A new and younger-appearing you can make you feel better not only about yourself but also about life in general. As people begin to live healthier, longer, and more active lives, this concern and a cosmetic surgery solution are more and more common.
Fitting in
You live in today’s world, and the fact that voluptuous ladies were Reuben’s ideal doesn’t help you when you see today’s cultural ideal walking down a fashion show runway. As much as you may not like these icons and don’t seek to look exactly like them, you’re still likely to be somewhat influenced by glamorous celebrities and fashion models, whose well-proportioned bodies and perfect facial features attract media attention every day. Whether you like it or not, society’s views of these people aren’t going to change any time soon. Surgery isn’t a simple solution, but it is certainly an option if you want to more closely approach the cultural definition of the ideal body.
Helping your child avoid stigma
Cosmetic surgery isn’t only for adults. Maybe your child has some slight cosmetic abnormality that could influence his successful socialization. Examples include young children with protruding ears, early teen-agers with abnormal appearing noses, or girls with significant breast asymmetry, overly large breasts or no breast development at all. In these cases, parents can intervene on the child’s behalf to avoid permanent social consequences.
Plastic surgeons are happy to address these kinds of issues. Where they draw the line, even with parental consent, is when a young person wants surgery that is not based on genetic or post-traumatic issues but is socially motivated. For example, a 16-year-old girl, who is not completely developed physically or psychologically, wants to enlarge her otherwise normal breasts from a B cup to a full C. In these cases, I encourage the patient and her parents to wait until her physical development is complete.
Maintaining attitude
Christine, a 63-year-old civil servant, first started considering cosmetic surgery about two years ago because she “wasn’t getting any younger” and didn’t like what age was doing to her. After doing her homework and finding a qualified plastic surgeon, she decided to give herself a lift of her face, neck, and eyes. Christine describes herself as having an outgoing personality and positive outlook on life, and she was “determined to do something that would help me maintain that attitude.”
