Nipntuck Myths: Who Performs Cosmetic Surgery?
November 23rd, 2015
TOP MYTHS OR MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT COSMETIC SURGERY
Patients often ask me some of the same questions and many of them are the myths that I will address in this new series.
MYTH: Only plastic surgeons can legally perform cosmetic surgery. Surprising there are no restrictions governing what type of physician can perform any medical or surgical procedure. Virtually every state in America, provides that any licensed physician can do brain surgery, open-heart surgery, etc. However, common sense usually limits the scope of a doctors own practice. So it is important to understand individual qualifications when choosing a cosmetic plastic surgeon. Basic facts to consider include evaluation of Board Certification/s, (American Board of Medical Sub-specialties) and the quality of patient surgical results. Another important indication includes both patient and physician referrals. All of this information is equally important and is significant in not only choosing your cosmetic plastic surgeon, but any physician under your consideration. Understanding the qualifications of your cosmetic plastic surgeon is paramount, board certification is the gold standard. Do your homework and check here at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Cosmetic Surgery Too Much of a Good Thing?
November 26th, 2012
When is cosmetic surgery too much of a good thing? I filmed a segment for the local Fox News Affiliate here in Minneapolis, hosted by Medical Correspondent, Dr. Archelle Georgiou. They filmed part of the segment while I was performing a lower blephaorplasty or lower eyelid surgery. My patient did have some other plastic surgery in the past and while gathering routine background information, Dr. Georgiou inquired whether I felt that the patient was perhaps choosing cosmetic surgery too often. In other words, did I think the patient suffered from a possible cosmetic surgery addiction? As with all my patients, I am careful to evaluate a patient’s motivations for surgery and attempt to uncover any unhealthy desires for seeking cosmetic surgery. In this case, I feel confident that my patient had legitimate concerns regarding the unsightly bags under her eyes and that she was an excellent candidate for eyelid surgery. She expressed realistic expectations from the surgery and in my opinion; she is certainly not a cosmetic surgery addict.
However, while we are on the topic, let me elaborate. There are several characteristics that are common among cosmetic surgery addicts and for the most part, they are not dissimilar to other addictions. Patients that have Body Dysmorphic Disorder are likely to seek cosmetic surgery to correct “perceived†physical flaws. This disorder has significant psychological components and it is unlikely that any amount of cosmetic surgery will correct feelings of having physical deformity that may not exist. This disorder leads some patients to have excessive cosmetic surgery. As a physician, I feel a professional and moral obligation to refer patients that exhibit these difficulties to the proper psychological care when it is appropriate.
Without a doubt there are patients who do suffer from this problem. The pop culture media machine is quick to point out the cosmetic surgery obsessions of Michael Jackson, New York’s “Cat Woman†and Joan Rivers, to name just a few.
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