Culture

13 things plastic surgeons won’t tell you

Plastic surgery before and after photos may be alluring, but before you consider going under the knife, here are the secrets you need to know.
By Michelle Crouch

I had a patient who wanted a brow lift because she thought she looked grumpy all the time

I had a patient who wanted a brow lift because she thought she looked grumpy all the time
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I sent her for a brow wax instead. It took 15 minutes, she looked great, and she saved herself $5000. I’ve also seen patients get results similar to eyelid lifts with over-the-counter firming serums and eyelid-lift creams. The results are temporary, but they do work to reduce lines and puffiness.

Check out these best-kept secrets of surgeons around the world.

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It drives me crazy when parents call from the emergency room because their kid got a scratch on his face

It drives me crazy when parents call from the emergency room because their kid got a scratch on his face
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It’s not going to look any different if I sew it up instead of the ER doctor; it’s probably just going to cost you a lot more money. Unless the injury is severe, you don’t need a plastic surgeon for every cut and scrape.

If I’ve invested $200,000 to buy a laser machine, that’s probably what I’m going to recommend, even though another type of treatment may be cheaper

If I’ve invested $200,000 to buy a laser machine, that’s probably what I’m going to recommend, even though another type of treatment may be cheaper
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Make sure you ask if there is an alternative, such as a chemical peel, that might work just as well or better.

Check out these natural remedies that can help slow down ageing.

We have a secret weapon we can use when things go wrong: leeches

We have a secret weapon we can use when things go wrong: leeches
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By restoring blood flow and secreting a chemical that prevents blood clots, leeches can help salvage a breast lift gone bad or a reattached finger that’s about to die. It sounds gross, but reconstructive plastic surgeons use them routinely.

If your drooping eyelids are partially blocking your vision, your insurance may pay for a lid lift

If your drooping eyelids are partially blocking your vision, your insurance may pay for a lid lift
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So many patients have used Medicare to pick up the tab for the procedure that it’s caused controversy.

Here are some tricks to make your makeup last all day, according to pros.

We do laugh at you sometimes

We do laugh at you sometimes
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I had a patient who emailed me to ask if it was OK for her to cook for her family again. She wanted to make sure her breast implants wouldn’t melt. I also had a guy come in with his wife and his girlfriend literally one week apart for the same breast implant operation.

We judge celebrities too

We judge celebrities too
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We think the celebrities with the frozen faces, puffed-up lips, and gargantuan breast implants look ridiculous too.

Read on for some things to know before getting a breast reduction.

How would I pick a plastic surgeon?

How would I pick a plastic surgeon?
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I’d look for a doctor who is certified to train other doctors.

Want to avoid my office?

Want to avoid my office?
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Use sunblock with zinc or titanium dioxide, wear sunglasses outside, and don’t squint.

Here are the top forget-me-not sunscreen spots.

Before you judge us, remember that most of us do a lot more than just elective surgery

Before you judge us, remember that most of us do a lot more than just elective surgery
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We correct cleft lips and cleft palates, perform delicate hand and face surgeries, and help reconstruct people who were burned, had a cancer operation, or suffered a catastrophic accident.

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