Plastic surgery has its origins in wellness and corrective surgery; to restore and/or alleviate problems causing discomfort, impairment, or worse. 16th century plastic surgeon Gaspare Tagliacozzi said, “We restore, rebuild and make whole those parts which nature hath given, but which fortune has taken away. Not so much that it may delight the eye, but that it might buoy up the spirit...”
Q: How can wellness relate to plastic surgery?
Mark Fisher: Patients seek surgery for an array of reasons. Some want to correct the consequences of an accident, deformity, or disease such as cancer, others want to look as good as they can as they age.
Q: What is one procedure you do with the highest patient satisfaction rate?
MF: A breast reduction. Patients suffer from back and neck pain or an inability to play sports and fit into clothes. A breast reduction offers relief and restores confidence in their body.
Flora Levin: Blepharoplasty. Due to under-eye bags and dark circles, patients complain of looking tired even when they’re rested. Lower blepharoplasty permanently removes under-eye bags, restoring a rested appearance.
Q: What other procedures combine cosmetic and functional benefits?
MF: A functional rhinoplasty improves a deviated septum or other breathing issues. At the same time, it straightens and contours the nose to better fit the face.
FL: Eyelids are usually the first part of our face to show age. Hooded or droopy eyelids can impair vision and feel heavy. After an upper eyelid lift, patients feel their vision is brighter, eyelids less heavy, and they look like themselves again.
Q: What advice do you have for patients interested in plastic surgery?
MF: Find a trustworthy plastic surgeon whose vision aligns with yours. Instead of asking for specific procedures, let them guide you to the procedures they think will best address your needs.
FL: Look at the surgeon’s before/after photos and their office staff. Make sure your aesthetic ideals match theirs.
