Are you considering cosmetic surgery? If so, you're not alone. Every year, millions of people (including thousands in San Diego) have cosmetic surgery or related "non-invasive" cosmetic procedures.
To help you as you think about cosmetic surgery, we'll share some stories about common motivators that put people on the cosmetic surgery path. You can compare or contrast your own thoughts and feelings. Our patient anecdotes describe the feelings that motivated them to become cosmetic surgery patients.
- Wanting to look as young as you feel? Roger, a handsome businessman, didn't like the toll gravity and aging were taking on his body. The wrinkles and loose skin weren't in sync with his youthful mental outlook. Like most boomers, he's enjoying longer life expectancy and embracing an active lifestyle. You can identify with his feelings if you look in the mirror and see a body that doesn't reflect the inner you. Roger's neck bothered him the most, so he had a neck lift and eliminated his "turkey waddle."
- Wishing you could wear that little black dress? Cheri and Ruth are dear friends who do everything together. They came to the Centre after a trip to the mall where each one had her own little black dress issue. Cheri's skirt glided perfectly over her tall, thin frame, but she didn't fill out the top the way she wanted. Ruth filled out the top just fine, but the skirt was too tight over her hips and thighs. Their shopping solution--a breast enlargement for Cheri and a tummy tuck and liposuction for Ruth. And you can guess how they celebrated after surgery - a trip to the mall.
- Steering clear of summer? Mary said, "I haven't worn a swim suit since thirty pounds ago." You may identify with her feelings and are troubled by weight gain that makes you hate warm weather -- no shorts, no bathing suits, no tank tops -- which means no poolside frolics, no beach vacations, no Caribbean cruises -- the list goes on and on. Mary decided to take action. She combined dieting and liposuction to get herself in shipshape condition.
- Shunning your old classmates? Susan's reaction to her high school class reunion invitation was, "Ohmygod, I can't go looking like this!" Instead of tossing the invitation, Susan used the event as a catalyst for the facial rejuvenation surgery she'd been thinking about for years. She went to her reunion with a bounce in her step and her head held high.
- Avoiding cameras? Maggie looked at every picture of herself and cringed. She saw someone who looked worried, tired, and angry - none of which reflected how she really felt inside. Maggie decided, "No more! I'm getting a portrait taken on my sixtieth birthday." She opted for eyelid surgery to her upper and lower eyes and had her forehead treated with Botox®. Now her friends and family have a lovely picture of Maggie.
- Feeling like you don't fit in? You may question whether you are thinking about cosmetic surgery for personal reasons or because of social or peer pressure. Often both issues motivate the decision. Brian, a high school senior, came in with his mother saying that his protruding ears had bothered him for years. He had an otoplasty (or ear pinning) procedure and went off to college feeling more confident and self-assured.
- Making the most of life changes? We've all heard that the only constant in life is change. And life changes may be why you are considering cosmetic surgery. Sally's upcoming marriage prompted her to get the breast augmentation she'd wanted for years. Mike's divorce motivated him to have the nasal surgery he'd always wanted. Now his picture on an Internet dating site shows him at his new best.
- Wanting your curves back? Aging and child-bearing can wreak havoc on our bodies. Eileen, like many of her thirty-something friends, had had her kids and was ready to reclaim her curvaceous past. After a tummy tuck and breast lift, she's off to soccer games feelin' mighty fine. Her husband Jeff wanted to turn his own clock back. He was tired of looking at his love handles, and since exercise didn't do the trick, he opted for liposuction.
Hopefully, these light-hearted patient stories will help you understand the feelings that motivate cosmetic surgery patients. Ultimately though, even in beautiful San Diego, cosmetic surgery is a serious decision, so always bear in mind the other important factors such as your health and the appropriate certifications and experience of both the doctor and facility.
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