Michael J. Will, MD, DDS, FACS
Maryland (301) 874-1707
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Cosmetic Surgery Popular Gift for Graduates
The demand for plastic surgery among teens has swelled in the last few years—and has even become a popular graduation present, according to Crain’s New York Business.
In 2009, 8,199 U.S. teenagers aged 18 and 19 had breast enlargements—more than triple the number in 2001, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Furthermore, the increase came during the height of the recession, at a time when there was a drop in the overall number of plastic surgeries.
While teens now make up just 2 percent of all cosmetic surgery patients in the United States, their numbers are growing, most likely in part because of press coverage of celebrities’ bodies and more openness about plastic surgery in U.S. culture.
“In the past few years, I’ve seen more younger people doing more plastic surgery than ever before,” says Dr. Andrew Jacono, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City. “There’s a lot of pressure on young people to look a certain way, and when kids go away to college, it’s a chance to start all over.”
Popular procedures for teens include nose jobs, liposuction treatments and breast augmentations. “Breast surgery is at the top of the list for graduates now,” says Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. Mauro Romita.
Stephanie Michelle, who just graduated from the University of Buffalo, originally wanted a nose job for her high school graduation present; her parents said no. Now that she’s graduated college, they’ve agreed and the family is researching doctors.
“This is the perfect time to do it,” says Ms. Michelle. “I am going to be on my own and moving to the city and becoming an adult.” Read the full article, “Pomp and rhinoplasty honor grads,” at Crain’s New York Business.
Early 50s is Best Time for Cosmetic Surgery, According to Survey
Is there a perfect age for cosmetic surgery?
A survey of 3,000 40- to 65-year-old women in Britain said the best age was 52. Conducted for Saga magazine, the survey revealed that one in three women would consider plastic surgery, and a fifth of women—if money were no object—would get a face lift to help reverse the signs of aging.
For those who responded that they did want surgery, 25% would get an eyelid lift and 29% a tummy tuck. Of the respondents who said they would not get surgery, 29% felt they could use cosmetic treatments like Botox or chemical peels to maintain a youthful appearance.
“Botox and dermal fillers are the most popular treatments at the moment,” said Darren McKeown, MD, a doctor in London and Glasgow. “The popularity of certain treatments is very celebrity-driven. When a famous woman is pictured with a ‘trout pout,’ then women will avoid lip enhancement, but when an A-list celeb is revealed to have had a specific treatment and they look great, then we see a peak in inquiries.”
The doctor also said that he had noticed an increase in patients getting procedures for work reasons. “When you’ve been in a company for a long time and have younger colleagues snapping at your heels, the last thing you want to do is look tired. The average age of my client is in their forties,” he explained.
Women today seem to feel more pressure than ever to look young, even into middle age, according to the survey. Sixty-two percent of women surveyed said they felt they are more likely to be judged on their appearance than previous generations.
Depression and Cosmetic Surgery Study Reveals Unexpected Results
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery recently published a study that reveals some intriguing findings: patients in treatment for depression may be more satisfied with their surgical outcome than those who are not.
During consultations, cosmetic surgeons routinely evaluate patients to determine their emotional stability and readiness to undergo a surgical procedure. Many assume that patients who are optimistic before surgery will feel more satisfied with their surgical outcome. Surprisingly, these assumptions were not borne out in the study’s results.
Jill Hessler, M.D. and her team of researchers at the University of Michigan studied 51 cosmetic surgery patients who underwent facial plastic procedures between January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008. Before surgery and 4-6 months after surgery, each of them voluntarily responded to a survey that assessed their attitude regarding the procedure(s).
Results of the study showed that patients being treated for depression before undergoing surgery expressed higher levels of satisfaction with their outcomes than those not being treated for depression. Furthermore, those who expressed more optimism before undergoing their procedures did not feel their results were better than their more pessimistic peers.
A growing number of women are getting cosmetic surgery after divorce, according to a report by Good Morning America, which cited a British survey that found 26 percent of people getting cosmetic procedures there are newly divorced women.
Alicia Hunter, who is 43 and a mother of two, told GMA that after her divorce she lost 60 pounds, got a breast augmentation and had Botox injections. She said the weight loss and procedures were life changing.
“If I hadn’t lost weight and done some tweaking, I don’t think I would ever set foot outside the house,” Hunter added. “I don’t think I would have the guts to go out and be in the dating scene.”
Married for seven years before her divorce, Hunter said that her ex gives her more compliments now than ever before.
GMA’s Ashleigh Banfield asked Hunter: “Is it revenge surgery?” Hunter said that while it may be for some people, for her it was a confidence booster.
Dermatologist Dr. Marina Peredo agrees that many women do it for their self-confidence. Peredo speaks from experience; she had some cosmetic procedures done after her own divorce.
“Break-up is hard, they feel like they failed at something,” Peredo said. “It’s very hard to start after many years of marriage, and I think they take time and are doing something for themselves for a change.”
Dr. John Turk, a NYC plastic surgeon, said that about 20 percent of his clients are post-divorce.
One of Dr. Turk’s divorced patients, Kelly Langford, shared her thoughts on cosmetic surgery after divorce: “I think coming here and seeing Dr. Turk is definitely, after you see your lawyer, probably the most important step after that.”
Know Your Options for Paying for Cosmetic Surgery
If you choose to have cosmetic surgery, it is important to consult with your surgeon before the procedure and get an estimate for the cost of surgery.
While there are some rare instances when insurance covers the costs, such as after an accident, most of the time it is the patient’s responsibility.
“Consumers should be aware that cosmetic surgery is not covered under insurance, so all of the expenses must be paid out of pocket,” says Kevin Kautzmann, a certified financial planner.
Fox Business gives an overview of ten options for paying for cosmetic surgery, and here we offer a few of the highlights.
A health care or medical credit card is a credit card specifically for medical expenses and can be used for cosmetic procedures. Often these cards start with low promotional rates and can have reasonable payment plans.
If you don’t want to open a medical credit card, you could use your regular credit card or apply for a new one and take advantage of a 0% introductory period during which you could pay off your procedure.
For some, saving up and paying cash for a cosmetic procedure makes the most sense. “It may not be sexy, but the best answer for most people is to save each month until you have the bill covered—then get the procedure done,” says financial adviser Michael Masiello.
You can also check with your surgeon’s office to see if they offer payment plans. Some will create a plan tailored to a patient’s budget.
It may seem unconventional, but you could ask others to contribute to your procedure fund as a gift. This has become easier and more popular with online sites, such as DepositAGift.com and MyRegistry.com, as family or friends can make a deposit toward your procedure without even having to mail a check.
Mary M. Mitchell, the author of several etiquette books, recently wrote a Reuters story about what she views as proper etiquette regarding cosmetic surgery.
For instance, if you run into a friend or acquaintance who looks different and you think they’ve had cosmetic surgery, don’t blurt out a comment, Mitchell says.
Many people may be sensitive about speculation on their appearance.
If you do ask a question, she recommends keeping it simple and keeping your reaction low-key.
Here are some other tips from Mitchell:
Don’t ever ask a person if they’ve had a specific procedure, such as a “nose job” or “implants.” It’s bad manners, according to Mitchell. Instead, tell them they look great, and it’s their decision to volunteer specifics.
Don’t criticize your friend if he or she is considering cosmetic surgery. Don’t try and talk them out of it, says Mitchell. However, “it is equally important not to agree that the person does, indeed, need the work done,” she says. It is their decision to make.
When someone tells you they have had a procedure, don’t judge. Mitchell says the safest reply is to ask if they are happy with the results.
When discussing cosmetic surgery, don’t gossip and share the names of other people you know that have had a procedure.
If someone does reveal they’ve had cosmetic surgery, Mitchell says to ask how they’re feeling.
If you’re the one who has had a procedure and you don’t mind sharing, Mitchell says that “you can make it easier on those around you by opening the conversational door.”
CNN reports on the growing popularity of cosmetic surgery in Iraq.
More Couples Getting Cosmetic Surgery
As more men embrace cosmetic surgery, more couples choose to have procedures together.
There’s anecdotal evidence from surgeons that this is a growing cosmetic surgery trend.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Mitchell Chasin says, “Years ago, we would see a wife come in and she would say, ‘I can’t let my husband know what I’m doing.’ And then the husband would come in and he would say, ‘You know what, this is a secret, please don’t tell my wife.'”
But today, according to patient Ira Almeas, the man’s attitude is usually along these lines: “If you’re gonna look good, I want to look good!” Almeas and his wife each had Botox, fillers and laser treatments.
NBC’s chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman says that part of the increase in couples pursuing cosmetic procedures together is attributable to the increase in cosmetic procedures in men, who now account for about 9% of those getting cosmetic surgery.
“It’s been destigmatized with men,” says Snyderman, who says procedures like Botox and fillers have become more acceptable.
Doctors who say they are seeing more couples cosmetic surgery report that their patients are typically in their late 30s to early 60s. Usually the women are done having children and both are having trouble losing weight through diet and exercise alone.
It’s no surprise then that liposuction is one of the procedures that is very popular with couples, although men and women often target different areas.
According to surgeons, men often request liposuction for their stomach, chest or chin, while women request any number of areas, such as their thighs, neck or arms.
Reita Greene, 59, had a facelift in January and says she was motivated because, “I wanted to have at least one good picture with my grandchildren before I die.” Her boyfriend of 16 years plans to have the procedure as well.
More Than Half of Americans Approve of Cosmetic Surgery
Anyone familiar with the reality TV show “Real Housewives of Orange County” knows many of the cast members are familiar with cosmetic procedures. In a recent episode, cast member Alexis Bellino asked, “Who doesn’t want Botox? Hello?”
Her sentiments seem to reflect a growing portion of the U.S. population, beyond Orange County. A new survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) found that more than half of Americans (51 percent) — regardless of income — approve of cosmetic surgery.
The approval ratings broken down by income are as follows:
52% of respondents with an income of under $25K approve of cosmetic surgery
48% of respondents with an income between $25K-$50K approve
45% of respondents with an income between $50K-$75K approve
56% of respondents with an income above $75K approve
“As the numbers suggest, people in every income bracket, single or married, male or female, view plastic surgery as a reasonable option today,” said Dr. Felmont F. Eaves III, president of ASAPS. “Taking care of yourself and paying attention to physical appearance is increasingly important to everyone.”
And while it’s common for celebrities to deny undergoing cosmetic procedures, the survey found 67 percent of respondents said they would not be embarrassed if their friends and family knew they had cosmetic surgery.
In an unscientific survey, the Orange County Register found similar results when it asked readers if they agreed with Bellino’s statement about Botox with about half agreeing with her, that it is indeed a good thing. More than half agreed with another statement by Bellino: “The O.C. has put a few requirements on women that live here – big boobs, blond hair and Botox.”
Women Willing to Sacrifice for Ideal Body
What are women willing to sacrifice for their ideal body? A new survey shows that some would sacrifice a lot — 16 percent would trade 1 year of their life to achieve their ideal body weight and shape!
The survey of 320 women (average age of 24 years) was conducted at 20 British universities and also found that many participants would consider cosmetic surgery.
Almost 40 percent of the women surveyed reported that if money wasn’t a concern they would have cosmetic surgery to alter their appearance. Of those who said they would have cosmetic surgery, 76 percent desired multiple surgical procedures, and 5 percent reported they had already had a cosmetic procedure to alter their appearance.
The survey also found that in order to achieve their ideal body weight and shape, 26 percent of those surveyed were willing to sacrifice a variety of things, including:
£5000 from their annual salary (13%)
A promotion at work (8%)
Achieving an honors degree (6%)
Spending time with their partner (9%)
Spending time with their friends (9%)
The survey also revealed that 46 percent said they had been ridiculed or bullied because of their appearance, while 93 percent said they had had negative thoughts about their appearance during the past week.
Cosmetic surgery offers women lots of options for improving the body’s appearance, such as liposuction and tummy tuck. For those that undergo bariatric surgery to reduce their weight, there is a variety of body contouring procedures available to tone the body after significant weight loss, such as an arm lift.
“Patient care was incredible! We are so very happy our child was referred to Dr. Will. We appreciate the attentiveness given to his medical condition. Will highly recommend to others.”
If you choose to have 
As more men embrace 
Anyone familiar with the reality TV show “Real Housewives of Orange County” knows many of the cast members are familiar with cosmetic procedures. In a recent episode, cast member Alexis Bellino asked, “Who doesn’t want 
What are women willing to sacrifice for their ideal body? A new survey shows that some would sacrifice a lot — 16 percent would trade 1 year of their life to achieve their ideal body weight and shape!
