Hiding Scars
March 12th, 2009
Visible scars are inevitable after any surgery. Emergency surgery unfortunately will leave scars which are obvious as a trade for saving a life. Elective surgery does allow for planning. This planning allows for design of scar placement and the application of technologies which reduce scar length. Most notable in general surgery are the recent advancements in endoscopic surgery and its application in “natural orifice surgery.”
Arguably the first natural orifice surgery is rhinoplasty or cosmetic nose surgery. This operation developed at the end of the 19th century is done through multiple incisions within the nostrils. The supporting structure of the nose is resculpted by addition and/or subtraction of tissue and implants to give a more aesthetically pleasing nose shape.
More recently, the advent of liposuction has allowed the safe removal of fat through multiple tiny carefully placed inconspicuous incisions. In fact, once healed many of these scars are hard to find! Prior to liposuction, long unsightly incisions were used in an effort to remove excess fat and sometimes skin.
The planning of all cosmetic surgery centers around the final anticipated scar. The direction, location, and length are the keystones of design. Scar direction as it relates to normal skin creases and wrinkles is critical. Generally, scars which parallel these lines heal better and are less apparent. Minimizing scar length obviously reduces scar size. This is a constant battle in cosmetic surgery. As a surgeon I need access to the treatment area to complete dissection, sculpting and control bleeding. Finally, we want to place any visible scars such that they are either easily covered by the smallest bathing suit you want to wear or easily concealed with make up and/or hair style. Elegant surgical design is possible only when all these things are taken into consideration.
“The Ugly One” Theatrical Debut
February 26th, 2009
The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis recently hosted the American debut of “The Ugly One” written by Marius von Mayenburg. I was introduced to the project by Dr. William McGuire and together we helped fund the production at the Guthrie. This experimental performance explores the interplay of both internal and external perceptions of physical appearance as they are influenced by cosmetic surgery. The main character experiences the effects of a dramatic change in his appearance provided by a plastic surgeon. It changes his life. He is popular, he is respected at work. However, his happiness is short-lived when the surgeon begins to franchise his appearance and identical faces appear within his work and social circles. He is no longer unique.
This application of an ideal physical appearance in the realm of cosmetic surgery actually influences many of the results seen today. How many times have you heard, “She has a Dr. Jones nose.†Facelifts can turn out the same cookie-cutter way. Individuals may end up with more of a change in physical appearance rather than an improvement in their own physical beauty.
I maintain that perhaps the best results of cosmetic surgery should primarily build on the foundation of your own unique physical appearance. For me, the greatest compliment I can receive from a patient is to hear that their friends and family are telling them they look better, look rested or look more fit. Let’s face it, nobody wants to be the ugly one!
Follow Us!
