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To counteract
the advancing army of aging radicals and their tell-tale
signs, you reach for hope in a jar, hope in a pill, hope in an
exercise machine and in a final act of desperation, you become
an infomercial junky looking for any hope at any cost. Each
of these hopeful cures spawns entire industries creating
giants of wealth around the search for elusive youth.
Temporary cures at best, manufacturers and gurus know you
shall continue coming back; by the time you realize quick
fixes rarely deliver, a new generation of hope seekers lines
up to buy their products and promises. Hope springs eternal,
even if youth does not.
Or does it?
Once the benefit and secret weapon of the rich, famous and
powerful, cosmetic surgery from face lifts, liposuction,
breast augmentation and even minor procedures like laser brown
spot removal or the obliteration of under-eye circles today
enters the mainstream of affordability. Though never a
decision to be taken lightly, surgical alteration, cosmetic
surgery or surgical enhancement—these options may produce
magical long-lasting transformations. However, like any
surgical or medical procedure, research and ample due
diligence in identifying the proper doctor continues as the
primary determinant for success.
The following
guidelines created by internationally renowned cosmetic
surgeon Dr. Fredric Corbin, provide direction in securing a
qualified surgeon.
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1.
Investigate each
doctor's qualifications and credentials—
a) Ask specifically if he or
she is “BOARD CERTIFIED” by the “AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC
AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEONS”. Then verify this.
Claiming and
doing surgery are not synonymous. The ABPRS develops and
oversees international standards and qualifications Board
Certified Surgeon adhere to.
Why this is
Important: Often specialists or general practitioners venture
into the potentially lucrative field of cosmetic surgery with
inadequate medical and surgical care training, thus making you
the guinea pig and another step toward their attainment of
experience.
b) Confirm
your surgeon operates and has privileges to operate in an
accredited hospital. With any surgical procedure, an element
of risk is present. Should complications develop, the surgeon
may transfer you to a hospital for further care. If a hospital
does not show support for a nearby surgeon, chances are you
shouldn’t either.
c) Ask for
references and check them. Ask for 2-3 professional
references, (other doctors) and 2-3 patient references,
(former patients). TOP
2.
Ask to see samples of
each doctor's work
a) Experience,
experience, experience: According to Dr. Corbin, “A good
plastic surgeon will have samples and pictures of patients who
have had the same procedure done that you are requesting. Keep
in mind that most surgeons will only show you his good work,
so the more pictures and samples you find, the better.”
b) Ask if the
doctor has had any unhappy clients and what in his/her opinion
caused the dissatisfaction. How, if such complaints exist,
did the doctor rectify the situation? How a doctor handles
disputes or problems is as important as his/her surgical
skill. Then ask yourself if his/her answer is satisfactory to
you. Double check with the medical association and governing
boards for any complaints lodged against the doctor or his/her
practice, the nature of these complaints, whether settled and
the current status of each. Most doctors receive occasional
complaints during a career, an unavoidable circumstance when
providing a service and dealing with human beings. You
determine, based upon the information provided, each
complaint's seriousness or acceptability to you.
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3.
Are you being sold or
Advised?
Consider this
a job interview with you as the employer, hiring a doctor and
not a salesman to sell you services. An excellent physician
listens and assess based upon your circumstances prior to
rendering suggestions and options. If the surgeon tells you
that there is only one procedure he will do, without
explaining what other techniques or available options,
consider the candidate a technician in this field not an
expert surgeon. The fees constitute a significant investment,
deserving of a doctor whom will care for you rather than a
scalpel-wielding salesman with a revolving office door and a
waiting room of patients three feet deep.
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4. Visit more than
one doctor.
We shop online
for the best cars, the best plane tickets, and even the best
potential dates! Give your body the same respect. Interview
several candidate surgeons and rate each on the options he/she
provides, the amount of pressure placed on you to make a
decision, the quality of work and even how he/she treats
existing patients and staff. As you visit with more doctors,
you will become more educated about your choices. Through the
course of interviewing, you'll attain an instinct for the
“market price” allocated to different procedures. Your goal
during the interviewing process is to determine your level of
confidence in the doctor and if you want to put yourself in
this person's care. Do not discount your gut instincts.
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Ask
yourself:
1) Am I comfortable with this
doctor?
2) Do I feel that he/she will
give me consistent care before, during and after the
operation, even if complications exist?
3) Am I able to obtain
satisfactory financial terms that will not be a burden?
4) Has he/she demonstrated a
good grasp of what I want to accomplish?
5) Has he/she offered any
alternatives to what I think I need?
6) Do I feel confident in this
doctor's ability to care for me from beginning to end?
5. Look for a
life-long investment, not a one-day clearance sale.
Patients
often equate cosmetic surgery with a fancy facial and
investing in breast implants with the experience of buying a
new pair of earrings. The risks of surgery are very real, with
the possibility of not only poor results, but also disability
or death. A serious issue, your decision deserves equally
serious consideration.
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6. Consider Carefully
your Motivations for Performing the Surgery:
Cosmetic
surgery can transform your image, bolster your self-esteem and
provide the confidence to enhance your relationships. It is
not a fix-all, nor a solution to psychological problems and
relationship issues. Issues present prior remain present
after. Similar to man who loses 50 pounds and suddenly
expects his entire life to change, a terrible disappointment
befalls him when life fails to live up to his expectations.
This happens because the problem is on the inside, not the
outside and he failed to address the issues compounding his
life. Rather he addressed it differently in an effort to fool
himself and those around him. The façade eventually fades
away.
Surgery
enhances strong self-esteem; it does not supply it. It will
not make your husband or wife love you more simply because you
change your look, got bigger breasts or removed some wrinkles.
If your motivations for doing it are because you think that
everything in life will be perfect once a physical problem is
altered, undertaking cosmetic surgery should wait until you
have dealt with the issues causing you anguish.
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Carolyn, an
executive assistant since 1983 and still young at the age of
42 has accomplished everything she's set her sights on
including two beautiful children, PTA mom of the year and
she's been blessed with a loving husband who even does the
dishes! Though energetic and young, at times her outward
appearance says otherwise and she often cowers when someone
exclaims, "Wow! You look like you’ve had a long day.”
Her brother
Mark, a 52 year-old retail manager achieved significant
success ascending his company's ladder while supporting his
three children and consistently volunteering at his church.
Life even delivered a few golf trophies. Yet despite a smart
diet and regular exercise, he mid-section continues to expand
with his good fortune. His outward appearance, he feels,
contradicts the whole of who he is and may be holding him back
from further advancement.
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Carol and
Mark's situations show healthy motivations for cosmetic
surgery. In both examples, the reasons are to match their
exterior with their inner feeling and prevent misconceptions.
In either case, each person knows the change results from a
desire rather than perceived need.
Improper
reasons include using it to create an image to hide who you
are or to please someone else. Consider Michael Jackson. His
attempts to change via cosmetic alteration and surgery are
legendary and his motivation continues in an effort to
validate and sadly love himself, despite his talent and
genius. His quest became an obsession and rather than create
self-esteem and self-love, he destroyed it. Mr. Jackson is an
extreme example of using cosmetic surgery for all the wrong
reasons.
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Conclusion:
Once you have
successfully navigated the six steps:
1. Investigate each doctor's
qualifications and credentials
2. Ask to see samples of each
doctor's work
3. Are you being sold or
advised?
4. Visit more than one doctor.
5. Look for a life-long
investment, not a one-day clearance sale.
6. Consider your motivations
You will be
ready to begin the exciting process and make the changes
you've been longing for with the results you desire.
For a List of Certified Cosmetic Surgeons
in Your Area See:
About Frederic Corbin, MD:
Couples Company's Expert on Plastic & Reconstructive
Surgery
Based in Beverly Hills, California and a recognized expert in
his field, Dr. Frederic Corbin is fully certified by
the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. A
graduate of Brown University, Dr. Corbin received his
Medical degree from the New York University School of
Medicine. He completed his Surgical Internship at the
University Hospital of San Diego, and his residency at the
prestigious Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston. Dr.
Corbin has been featured in many newspapers and magazines,
including People Magazine, Easyrider, Family Living, Muscle
and Fitness, The Orange County Register, Brea Progress and
Divorce Magazine. He has appeared both on TV and Radio shows,
including Power 106, discussing current Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery techniques. Dr. Corbins' work
has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey show, Lifetime, Turner
broadcasting, MSNBC, Hard Copy and The Learning Channel.
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