There are often a variety of misconceptions associated with plastic surgery that are simply untrue. These skewed perceptions are often derived from photos of celebrities that have had “botched” surgeries or just from word-of-mouth which often raises much concern for patients who are interested in undergoing surgery. Regardless of the type of procedure you decide to have, I believe it is important for my patients to be knowledgeable about potential risks and benefits of plastic surgery and to maintain realistic expectations. In order to ease any apprehensions you may have, I have deciphered a few common plastic surgery myths:
MYTH: Plastic surgery is only for women
FACT: Over the last ten years, the once female-predominant field of plastic surgery has become more acceptable and more common for men to consider and undergo. For a variety of motivations such as staying competitive with younger applicants in today’s job market or to improve overall self-esteem, the number of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures among men continues to gain popularity. Popular procedures for men include eyelid surgery, liposuction, and neck lifts. Even so, there are some procedures for males that are exclusive to them – the treatment for gynecomastia is one such example.
Gynecomastia is a medical term that comes from a Greek phrase meaning “woman-like breasts,” and is a common condition for an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. Gynecomastia occurs when there is a hormone imbalance of estrogen and testosterone and can transpire in one or both breasts and can even leave breasts noticeably uneven. Caused by heredity, disease or hormonal changes, the breast glands can increase to an unusually large size. In order to address such concerns, I perform breast reduction surgery to eliminate excess fat, glandular tissue and skin.
MYTH: Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery is a substitute for exercising and eating healthy
FACT: While liposuction, abdominoplasty, and other body contouring procedures can help you achieve personal cosmetic surgery goals, it is important to remember it should not be a substitute for weight loss or a healthy lifestyle. Post-surgery, I advise my patients to maintain proper nutrition and exercise regularly in order to preserve positive body contouring results.
If you’re looking to make the first steps towards healthy lifestyle changes, our in-house NESTA Weight Management Specialist, Jackie Madison is here to help. With the Lifestyle & Weight Management program, Jackie will help coach you through your pre and post-surgery transition by teaching you how to commit to an active lifestyle, achieve weight loss and weight management goals, provide effective eating habits, and more as it pertains to your suited lifestyle.
MYTH: Plastic surgery is extremely expensive and unaffordable for most people
FACT: According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 15.1 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2013—which means that plastic surgery is an option for a large number of people. Most individuals who undergo surgery are everyday people who are interested in boosting their self-confidence by improving their appearance.
Southern Plastic Surgery provides patient financing options for any reconstructive or cosmetic surgery service we provide. Included within our financing options is CareCredit℠. CareCredit℠ is an 18 month plan that charges no interest as long as monthly minimum payments are successfully met, and payment is received in-full within the 18 month promotional period.
MYTH: All plastic surgeons are the same
FACT: Unless a doctor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you may be corresponding with someone who is not a properly trained plastic surgeon. Choosing a board certified plastic surgeon is the most important step when deciding on surgery. Your surgeon should be a fully trained and board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience performing different procedures; just as importantly, he or she must take the time to listen to and fully understand your individual goals and desires. I welcome you to read my biography to learn more about me and my board certification credentials.
I want every patient who walks through my door to be comfortable, aware, and confident in their goals and my abilities as their cosmetic surgeon. To that end, I ensure that I will do my best to answer any questions you may have. If you’re interested in any of the cosmetic procedures I perform at Southern Plastic Surgery, P.C., please don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation while openings last! Be sure to connect with me, Dr. David Whiteman, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.