Reality Show Driven Cosmetic Surgery
April 11th, 2011
Reality shows have created instant stardom for many. In most cases, these “stars” have gained their popularity, not from talent, but from their outrageous behavior. MTV’s Teen Mom is a stellar example of this misguided fame. In Touch Weekly Magazine recently ran a headline story announcing that almost the entire cast of Teen Mom was turning to plastic surgery to further their careers. These kids are blinded by fame and often mistake the attention for an endorsement of talent.
While I haven’t seen this particular show, I am willing to bet that they are merely a curiosity for a voyeuristic reality show audience. As I have mentioned before, I think these reality shows are the new circus sideshows of our time. Unable to resist the bright lights of fame, the young parents, only kids themselves, fail to understand exploitation. They are at risk of relegating their obligations as being mothers, to having that most important role serve merely as a stepping stone in a search for stardom.
Facelift: What’s in a Name?
March 15th, 2011
What’s in a name? I find it interesting that new terms used for cosmetic surgery procedures may often gloss over the seriousness of the surgery. The current euphemisms being used for a facelift are prime examples. As a result of this new terminology, I find patients do not want to hear that they need a facelift to correct their jowls or turkey neck. They prefer to hear words like facial rejuvenation, mini-lift, lower facelift, lunch-time lift, short incision facelift, short recovery facelift or better still (my favorite) the non-surgical facelift! A market driven economy has helped to put a happy face on anti-aging procedures, by trivializing this surgery to increase profits.
According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were about 95,000 performed last year. Regardless of the trendy name, surgery is serious business. There is an element of swelling and bruising after facelift surgery, as with most facial procedures. It is difficult to cover or hide during the initial recovery period. For this reason, many patients choose not to be seen while they are recovering from a facelift. In a culture where youthful beauty is celebrated, few of us want to submit eagerly to the effects of aging. Surprisingly some patients are not self-conscience in the least and continue with all their social engagements.
Facelifts are also combined with many other facial procedures (nose surgery, eyelid surgery, facial implants, chemical and laser peels, and forehead lifts). When procedures are added to a facelift, it increases the amount and duration of swelling following surgery. Combining surgeries also increases risk factors. Because of the additional safety concerns, I strongly discourage patients from combining surgeries in my own practice.
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