Plastic Surgery is Way Beyond Plastic

There is much more to plastic surgery than looking good. From an emotional point of view, the health benefits of Plastic Surgery go way beyond vanity. Many people have preconceived notions and judgments about plastic surgery procedures and the people who have them done. However, from where I sit as both a woman and a plastic surgeon, I see a whole different side of things. Patients seek plastic surgery for all different types of problems, either seeking improvement or relief of their symptoms. There are many reasons women choose to augment or change their breast size. It is not uncommon for women with abnormally large breasts to have breast reduction surgery. While a reduction can relieve back pain and improve posture, these women are also seeking a better look. Some women develop unevenly and have severe asymmetry, others don't like the way breastfeeding has left their breasts deflated, while some are very self-conscious about having small breasts. Whatever the reason, breast augmentation is not scandalous. It is a simply a choice many women make to improve something that has long bothered them. One of my favorite breast reduction stories is of a young girl in her late teens, who had severe enlargement of her breasts, as well as uneven cup sizes. Her mother told me she was extremely shy and unbearably self-conscious. To make matters worse, her father had recently died unexpectedly. I performed her breast reduction, and years later, I was shopping when a beautiful sales clerk asked if I needed any help. I explained my frustration, and she said, "You don't recognize me do you?" Embarrassed, I admitted I did not. She told me she was that shy girl that I had operated on years ago and how it had changed her life. She explained that it had given her the confidence she was lacking, and that she had gone on to finish law school and had just taken the Bar Exam. It made me want to cry. She had just made my day! There are many procedures within the field of plastic surgery that are considered cosmetic because they are not covered by insurance. However, these procedures should not be minimized, because emotionally they can provide people with well-being and confidence. Following are a few examples: Prominent ears-easily corrected with otoplasty. This procedure is best done in childhood (middle school age) but is often not considered important or necessary. When some adults finally have their ears fixed, it gives them newfound confidence, and helps reduce the self-consciousness brought on by years of childhood teasing. Another example is facial cosmetic surgery (facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, injections "liquid facelift"). This is an area that many women and men are having done for various reasons. Some just finally give themselves permission to go for it. They can correct the "turkey neck" they hate that runs in the family, or the jowls and puffy eyes that make them look tired all the time. Most people that I see want to look as young as they feel. Some feel like the person they see in the mirror does not reflect how they physically feel. One patient happily reported after a face and neck lift, "I don't look like my mother anymore. She always looked so sad. I looked just like her, and I didn't feel sad at all!" Having a body lift after massive weight loss is another example of the tremendous, positive, emotional effect plastic surgery can have. Some work so hard to lose weight, but can't get rid of the loose skin. This procedure is like icing on the cake-a final reward for the diligent hard work of weight loss. Often, plastic surgeons don't get the opportunity to experience the wonderful long-term effects surgeries can have on their patients. Most patients will tell us after surgery that they are happy with their results. However, after the first few weeks or months post-op, we may not see them again. The long-lasting effects of the body image changes that plastic surgeons make can have more a positive impact than imaginable. These long-lasting, enjoyable outcomes truly make helping others through plastic surgery delightfully rewarding. Dr. Carol Ann Coolidge has dedicated her career to helping women and men achieve their desired shape. A surgeon since 1992, Dr. Coolidge (formerly Dr. Clark) has performed thousands of procedures-from cosmetic enhancement of breasts and bodies, to reconstructive surgery of trauma patients.