Uh-oh. Is that a hint of Mom’s jowls? Are those crow’s feet? Love handles? Seriously?
Chances are, you’ve thought about cosmetic procedures—maybe fretting over the appearance of wrinkles or the loss of pre-pregnancy form.
“Everybody,” says surgeon John P. Stratis, “has their little spots.”
But when is it time to consult a plastic surgeon? You don’t need to know exactly what you want. That’s the surgeon’s job. Just consider these questions to help you take the plunge.
What’s my goal?
Don’t be surprised when the plastic surgeon asks about your state of mind as well as your state of body.
“The only reason anybody should do anything is if it’s something that personally bothers them and not the people around them,” says Dr. Richard Dabb of the Center of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, York (yourcosmeticcenter.com). “What is it they don’t like and have problems coping with? The people that have dwelled on this for a long while probably are the best patients.”
Realistic expectations are essential. Cosmetic procedures won’t salvage a failing marriage or faltering career. “If you’re not happy before cosmetic surgery, cosmetic surgery is not going to make you happier,” says Dr. Wendell L. Funk, Lancaster (drfunk.com).
Post-pregnancy “mommy makeovers” that lift breasts and tuck tummies remain popular. Increasingly, plastic surgeons see middle-aged career men and women—proud of their experience but aware that appearances matter in a world of 20- and 30-something colleagues.
“People will do surgery to try to keep themselves looking healthy,” says Funk. “Not young. Healthy and rested, that’s the key thing.”
What are my options? Face edition
Minimally invasive options are growing, says Dr. Scott M. Gayner, Stratis Gayner Plastic Surgery, Harrisburg (focusedforyou.com). Fillers, ultrasound skin tightening, and Botox—no longer freezing faces into scary grimaces—can provide quick, affordable, low-recovery results.
“We prefer not to have downtime, and we like to have less risk,” but convenience is a trade-off for longevity, because temporary procedures last only four months to two years, Gayner says. Some patients use minimally invasives to test-drive possible surgery. Others pursue a minimally invasive regimen until a certain stage in life—retirement years, perhaps.
“Do you put your value in longevity and results? In that case, surgery is almost always the better option,” Gayner says. “Or do you put your value in convenience and less cost up front? Then some of the noninvasives will be more appropriate for you.”
What are my options? Body edition
Liposuction and its noninvasive alternative—a fat-freezing procedure—aren’t for the obese, surgeons agree. They offer body contouring for the normal-weight person who just can’t shed those fatty areas.
“The most common patient I turn down is someone who comes in for liposuction and who has gained 10 pounds a year,” says Funk.
Most body work still requires surgery. Electives include breast implants, reductions, and lifts. Tummy tucks correct loose skin accumulated through pregnancy or weight loss. Arm lifts tighten sagging arms.
Dr. Stratis, of Stratis Gayner, educates patients on their options and the changes to expect. “Most people realize their failings,” he says. “They realize what, perhaps, they should be doing a bit better—hopefully, we all realize those kinds of things—and are appreciative that someone is trying to tell them that stuff rather than just trying to sell them something.”
A new 3-D imaging system provides realistic views of probable results, says Stratis. Digital imaging also helps patients visualize the outcome, but it’s important that the surgeon, and not an aide, “does the morphing” to show what can actually be accomplished, he says.
What’s my timeline?
Nobody wants weeks of seclusion while recovering from surgery, says Gayner. Fortunately, many procedures can be done under intravenous sedation with local anesthesia for quick bounce-back. Although downtimes are improving, post-op still means that patients will “scare children for the first two days. Birds can land on their lips,” says Dabb.
Even noninvasives can leave bruising and need time to reach full effect.
“Don’t come in here for Juviderm two days before your daughter’s wedding,” says Funk.
Some patients visit plastic surgeons when hints of family traits—dad’s loose jowls or mom’s deep creases—appear. Others start regimens in their 20s or 30s to maintain their youthful looks and avoid drastic changes later.
“The bigger the problems, the bigger the changes, so don’t wait until the problems are bad,” says Funk.
Where should I go?
Make sure the surgeon is experienced and is certified by such reputable accreditors as the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Stratis warns that “multiple bogus boards” offer instant, low-cost credentials.
Don’t be lured by promises of free consults and price cuts, says Dabb. “This is something that really can be life changing in a good or bad way,” he says. “You’ve got to put it on the balance beam of risk versus gain.”
