"Hey, you're not an a--h---!"

One of things I like most about being a plastic surgeon is that I get to meet such an interesting variety of people. I think people often and incorrectly assume an identity for plastic surgeons based on movies or TV shows or other stereotypes. Similarily - many people have the wrong idea about who undergoes plastic surgery -(only those driving around town in Lamborghinis and fur coats). We are just as likely provide care for the person working behind the deli counter as well as the person buying the produce. So I was a bit surprised when the husband of one of my patient's said, "Hey, you're not an a--h---, you're a regular guy." I'm sure it was intended as a compliment of sort because some people have the wrong idea about plastic surgeons. We are all wired differently. I can't imagine ever forgetting what it was like working as a clerk behind the admissions counter at a local hospital for years before I became a plastic surgeon - a rather humble beginning. Don't get me wrong - I have met many surgeons who are - well - not always pleasant to work with. So I guess that we continue to re-learn that we can't make assumptions about people until we get to know them. Sometimes the least expected compliments can come from unlikely sources. Just today, after I removed some dressings off a big, professional fighter - he said , "Hey, I think I love you man." Better to love me than hate me - because after all - I'm not just your ordinary "a--h---".

Plastic Surgery is More Acceptable

I was happy to come across an article this week by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery that reported on a shift in perception that plastic surgery is more acceptable today that even five years ago. I found this news encouraging because I still meet patient that feel that having surgery on themselves is too "vain". Never mind the fact that people spend their discretionary money on a lot of other things that are equally discretionary - and some don't seem to process the same type of guilt about other discretionary purchases as vanity (think new car, boat, snowmobile, cabin, bigger house, vacations, etc.).
Orthodontist have been well positioned with many teenagers and more adults with braces being quite acceptable for a long time. They are improving both appearance and function - like a lot of plastic surgery does. For those of you who don't know - I finally got my braces off. I can't say that I ever got totally used to having them. I was just so aware of my teeth and smile every time I met a new person or patient because I thought people would think I was trying to look like I was 17 at age 50. It didn't seem to help when people would say, "I can hardly notice" which means that they did notice. Every time I ate out was distressing because there was always something clinging for dear life onto my braces after every meal. SO - I get that changing your appearance comes with some slow improvements and that most people were quite encouraging of the decision.
So the good news seems to be that plastic surgery is becoming more acceptable and just like wearing braces, people are increasingly comfortable with changing the way that they look. Cosmetic surgery increased almost a hundred percent over the last decade. I can only hope that the 20% of people who responded to the survey who were considering plastic surgery in the future - don't wait too long. I'm also hoping that the robust start of 2010 continues not just in our industry - but across the country.