Plastic surgery is one of the marvels of modern medicine, with a wide range of options for face and body improvements. And today’s media outlets make it easier than ever before to gather information on the latest plastic surgery procedures. But how does this information apply to you and your concerns?
Every person is unique and has his or her own desires. What procedure or combination of treatments is right for you? And what can you really expect? EXPLORE PLASTIC SURGERY with Dr. Barry Eppley, Indianapolis plastic surgeon, who can provide you with a wealth of practical and up-to-date insights into the world of plastic surgery through his regular blog posts. In his writings, Dr. Eppley covers diverse topics on facial and body contouring procedures. You will be sure to find useful information that will help broaden and enrich your plastic surgery education.
One of the interesting psychological phenomenons that is very common in plastic surgery is what often occurs after an operation. Patients initially present with a certain problem and state how happy they would be if it was better. For example, a middle-aged female is seen with extra skin and fat on the abdomen and a little waistline overhang. She undergoes a tummy tuck and initially is quite happy. But within a relatively short period of time after surgery (often no longer than a few months), the same patient begins to point out a few areas that she feels aren’t quite right or wishes they weren’t there. The very result that the patient once stated they would have been thrilled with… is now no longer quite as expected.
This is an observation that I call in my Indianapolis plastic surgery practice the concept of cosmetic accomodation. Many plastic surgeons have seen it but it has not had an exact name. The most well known example of it is in breast augmentation surgery. A breast size that initially after surgery was a little too big or just right…seemingly becomes smaller months later. (and the implants have not changed!) And the patient may have wished now that they went bigger from the beginning.
Results after plastic surgery can sometimes, and eventually for some, may appear anti-climatic. This is not to say that they are not happy they had the surgery, it is just that the thrill of the initial results has faded. Much like that brand new car which seems passé and too familiar a year later.
While this psychological observation exists for many new changes in all areas of life, there can be some troubling issues with it in plastic surgery. As the newness of the face or body changes fades, the patient may begin to find small areas to critique or be unhappy with. Some of these changes are real…the facelift that begins to relax and develop a small skin excess under the chin or at the jowls….the rhinoplasty that develops a small irregularity at the tip of the nose as the last bit of swelling fades…or the liposuction patient who finds some asymmetry in the waistline area months later. Some of these changes, however, are an unveiling of pre-existing issues or the failure to achieve absolute perfection from the surgery. This is where the taking of pre-operative pictures and their review after surgery is important.
While cosmetic accommodation is normal and well tolerated by the vast majority of patients, other patients may desire revisional or touch-up surgery to further improve the result or imperfections. Revisional plastic surgery always brings to the surface issues of another operative experience and its associated costs. Because of this possibility, it is important that anyone considering plastic surgery be informed beforehand of this need or desire on their part…and who is responsible for this expense.
Dr. Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis
Tags: cosmetic accomodation, dr barry eppley, indianapolis, plastic surgery, plastic surgery psychology, psychology of plastic surgery
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