Plastic Surgery: When to Know You’re Really Ready
Tuck ‘N’ Stitch
YourNewBodyBlog.com features two eminent plastic surgeons — Dr. Stuart Linder and Dr. Robert Kotler — in Beverly Hills, the global Mecca of rejuvenation surgery.
Here, we know Dr. Kotler as the “FaceDocBlogger” because his surgical work is devoted to plastic surgery of the face and neck. Meanwhile, Dr. Linder, our “BodyDocBlogger” has a plastic surgery practice limited to only lower bodily plastic surgery.
Found only on YourNewBodyBlog.com, Doctors Linder and Kotler appear here most weeks as the ultimate plastic surgery insiders with unique takes on the news, trends, and practices in cosmetic plastic surgery.
This week: Plastic Surgery: When to Know You’re Really Ready
Many plastic surgery patients see a surgeon and then wait two, three, or even four years before going ahead with a procedure. Why? Plastic surgery is a life-changing event that always carries some small amount of risk. Even in the best of hands, an unforeseen complication can rear its ugly head. So, many prospective patients just can’t get off the dime. But you can tell when a person is ready for plastic surgery.
This week, Tuck’n’ Stitch tell when patients are finally, really ready at long last to have plastic surgery. Or not.
(LPatridge Photo)
BodyDocBlogger: Doctor, what do your patients say were their personal tipping points?
FaceDocBlogger: The first thing: they just can’t stand another sight of whatever feature is bothering them. They feel like if they glance in the mirror one more time and see that huge hump on the nose, sagging facial flesh, or that sagging jaw line, they will scream. So they call and make an appointment.
BodyDocBlogger: My body patients reach that point when they can no longer stand being unable to fill a bra or wear an attractive bathing suit. One tummy tuck patient told me her personal breaking point was when people kept asking her when the baby was due. And she wasn’t pregnant!
FaceDocBlogger: One of my face lift patients in her late 30s says she was pushed over the edge when she went to school to pick up her seven-year-old. The teacher said she was certainly happy to meet little Johnnie’s grandmother! Anyhow, the patient should know exactly what they want from rejuvenation surgery. And they should be realistic about what can be done. You won’t look 20 again, just the best possible version of yourself.
BodyDocBlogger: I know my patients are ready for the procedure when I fully explain everything that can go wrong. I tell them there is always a small chance a scar will heal badly or get infected. If they can accept the hassles involved after a complication, they are ready for the surgery.
FaceDocBlogger: What about the medical exams?
BodyDocBlogger: You’re right as rain, doctor! The patient is ready for plastic surgery when he or she has all the medical exams and clearances done and on the surgeon’s desk. We are duty bound by law, ethics and compassion to know that the patient is healthy enough for surgery!
FaceDocBlogger: Patients are ready when their homework has included reading about the surgeon’s training, his or her board-certification, how long the surgery will take them off their feet, and what’s involved in recovery. (Read Tuck ‘n’ Stitch’s blog about medical exams before plastic surgery.)
BodyDocBlogger: I like to see patients well educated before they are ready to go under the knife. That includes perhaps reading a book — written for consumers — about plastic surgery, and visiting as many plastic surgery Web sites and blogs as time allows. I also like to see them taking part in online bulletin boards and plastic surgery forums so that they can read about the experiences of other patients.
FaceDocBlogger: There’s another item to being ready for plastic surgery: finances. Because many of my face lift patients are older, they have plenty of experience running up large credit card bills and then struggling for years to pay them off. So they are saving first and then paying in cash. But however the patient does it, through cash, loans, or credit cards, he or she is ready for plastic surgery when the financing is in place. (Read Tuck ‘n’ Stitch’s blog about how, when and where to find discounts in plastic surgery.)
BodyDocBlogger: Almost as important is the person who’s going to be with you the first 24 hours after surgery. There are just too many undesirable things that could happen to leave a groggy patient alone the first 24 hours after surgery. So you must arrange for a spouse, relative, or friend to be with you. If nobody else is available, there are professional aftercare facilities that will watch over you. My rule is: no companion after the procedure, no surgery.
FaceDocBlogger: We’re nearing the end of the list. The final reason a patient knows he or she is ready for surgery is the patient understands what everything is for in the after surgery bag the doctor provides.
BodyDocBlogger: That’s correct. Along with printed instructions on how to take care of yourself, or how to empty drains, we provide the items you need. Like eye drops for eyelid surgery patients, pain killers, new dressings, and the like.
FaceDocBlogger: Right down to the Q-tips! I have a favorite brand I foist off on everybody! But the payoff for the patient is that new, fresh look in the mirror when healed.
Have a question for FaceDocBlogger or BodyDocBlogger? Let us know and we’ll do our best to have it answered. Feel free to leave your comments below!
*The opinions shared by FaceDocBlogger and/or BodyDocBlogger are their own personal professional viewpoints and in no way should be taken in place of an actual consultation with a licensed medical physician. The opinions of Tuck ‘n’ Stitch are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions/feelings of YourNewBodyBlog.com.
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