The Reality of Cosmetic Surgery.
May 8, 2007 by Teri Cosenzi
Filed under Aging Fabulous, Anti-Aging, Beauty Tips, Skin Care
No longer is plastic surgery seen as a multi-staged procedure performed by properly trained surgeons. It is now dealt with a drive-thru approach from both patients and doctors. Patients aren’t the only people scrambling for services. Many doctors are in favor of the business of plastic surgery and want a slice of the pie. This desire drives many doctors to begin the practice of plastic surgery even though they have no formal training or experience in the area. It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate the quality from the quackery.
Board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Saunders’ self-published new book, “A Woman’s Guide to the Real-Reality of Cosmetic Surgery,” sheds light on the fallacies and unrealistic expectations of cosmetic surgery fueled by the media. From the consultation, to the operating table and everything in between, Dr. Saunders filters out the hype sold by many doctors and institutions.
“For a very long time, cosmetic surgery was viewed as taboo by our culture. Now, men and women are getting liposuctions, laser surgeries and body lifts on national television,” said Dr. Saunders. “The two most prevalent misconceptions are unrealistic expectations that a procedure can achieve and unrealistic expectations about post-surgery recovery. We live in a culture of “the now” and all too often, people are looking for the magic pill, especially when it comes to their physical appearance. My new book outlines the “Real-Reality” of cosmetic surgery; and empowers those who are considering cosmetic surgery with the proper knowledge and education to understand almost everything related to cosmetic surgery.”
Many doctors have also jumped on the cosmetic surgery franchise bandwagon. It is a little known fact that hundreds of plastic surgery procedures are conducted each day in the United States by doctors who do not have backgrounds in plastic surgery. Even more disconcerting is that board certification to perform plastic surgery can essentially be bought instead of earned. Surgeons can enroll in a weekend course and be ordained “certified.”
“It’s hard to believe, but courses like Liposuction 101 do exist,” said Dr. Saunders. “After a weekend course, doctors claim being trained, a specialist or certified; the reality can be scary. Before you decide to go under knife, you need to know whose hands you’re putting your life in.”
Dr. Christopher Saunders weeds through the misinformation and focuses on education and easy concepts: the “Real-Reality” of cosmetic surgery. His book is “A Woman’s Guide to the Real-Reality of Cosmetic Surgery”.
If you are even remotely considering any type of cosmetic surgery, READ THIS BOOK!
Me, me, me! Now, now, now! I’m NOT a surgeon, but I work with quite a few, including a plastic surgeon in Naples, and while I agree that SOME people don’t mind the drive-thru approach, I have yet to meet a plastic surgeon who approaches a patient in this manner. I know what you’re saying: that doctors who aren’t trained in plastic surgery (except for a weekend course) are claiming to be able to help. Well, EVERY surgeon I’ve worked with goes to great lengths to really get to know the patient and takes the time to discuss why they think the surgery might improve their looks/lives, as well as to discuss with them the notion of unrealistic expectations. After all, while it’s elective surgery, it’s still surgery, and I just can’t imagine that any doctor would minimize it. There’s a post here on this site, I think, that discusses what patients should look for in a plastic surgeon – board certification, hospital privileges, educational background, experience, etc. Do your research and if a doctor isn’t doing his (finding as much as possible out about you, your health history and expectations), it’s probably best to find another plastic surgeon. It shouldn’t be rushed. It’s not a drive-thru.