Undergoing cosmetic surgery in Baton Rouge

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By Rachael Lundy

Electing to have cosmetic surgery is a deeply personal decision that an increasingly growing number of patients make each year, for various reasons. Although these type procedures have become more prevalent, providers have yet to reach an agreement on whether or not a healthy person should undergo major surgery, strictly for the benefit of fitting into society’s perception of beauty. Several medical doctors argue that patients are not taking plastic surgery seriously enough.

“In America, most people spend more time finding their right pair of shoes than they do finding a cosmetic plastic surgeon,” said Rod Rohrich, M. D. “You can take back your shoes, but you can’t take back your face or your life.”

As with any medical procedure, whether it is elective or non-elective, patients should issue a “full disclosure [of medical records], research the provider, research the facility, learn about the products and learn about procedures and their risks,” as suggested by Bethanne Snodgrass, M.D., F.A.C.S. in “The Makeover Myth.”

One such patient, who heeded this advice, anonymously recounted her experience after undergoing a complete facelift. For the purpose of this article Anonymous will be referred to as Beverly.

“There’s no such thing as a minor surgery,” said Beverly. “Anything can go wrong. Your doctor has to be educated and I respected my doctor and put myself in his hands.”

Patients undergo elective, cosmetic procedures for a wide range of reasons. Some have been injured while others have chosen these procedures to alleviate emotional strains that they face in their lives. Beverly elected to have a complete facelift so that she could close a very painful chapter in her life.

“My husband had just died and I was feeling alone,” said Beverly. “I felt like I looked tired and needed something done. I just wanted something done,” Beverly said.

After speaking with her sister regarding this surgical procedure, Beverly’s sister encouraged her to take action and follow through with it. Her sister agreed that this surgery would certainly lift her spirits.

“I called my doctor on a Wednesday and my doctor said, ‘What are you doing Friday?’” said Beverly.

Friday came and the procedure was performed without any complications occurring during the process. After an overnight stay in the outpatient facility, Beverly was driven home, to heal.

“My driver picked me up,” said Beverly, “and was jerking me from one side of the car to the other. I didn’t think I was going to have any plastic surgery left.”

Once she was safely home she stayed in bed for a few days, as instructed by her provider, while her body recuperated from the complete facelift.

“I had tubes hanging everywhere,” said Beverly. “I looked like a monster and my sister agreed. For three weeks, I was bruised and in six weeks I was completely over it.”

As Beverly recounted her physically altering story, it became apparent that cosmetic surgery made a great deal of difference in her life. Her expectations of the surgery were undoubtedly met.

“I felt good about myself,” Beverly said when asked how she was affected as a result of the surgery. “I felt like it helped me and took several years off. My doctor wanted me to see a before and after picture [during the post-op checkup], but I wouldn’t look at the before.”

The before picture was part of Beverly’s past and part of her painful memories of what happens when age progresses. This procedure opened doors for Beverly, keeping her youthful, while time moves forward.

“I had the procedure when I was 67, and if I had the money I would do it again,” said Beverly.

There are many individuals just like Beverly who have personal reasons to undergo plastic surgery, but the ultimate goal is to feel better about themselves. Surgeons may question the ethical nature of physically undergoing these procedures, but patients will always have emotional reasons, that to them, far outweigh the physical risks of undergoing the knife.

Send your comments to editor@tigerweekly.com

Originally Published: Issue 691 - July 2, 2008

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