Plastic Surgery Warnings

I'd like to pre"face" this post by saying I think cosmetic and reconstructive surgery can be a great blessing for many people who have been disfigured by accidents, disease, or birth defects. When I broke a bone in my face, a plastic surgeon repaired a nerve under my eye, so I guess I have benefited from it too.

Cosmetic surgery may also help some people feel more confident, but usually when we think about this  topic, we think of  Michael Jackson celebrities and Joan Rivers surgery addicts. Most procedures today are obviously done out of vanity rather than necessity.

Years ago I read the book Psychocybernetics by Maxwell Maltz. He was a plastic surgeon who made some interesting observations after years of practice. He found that some of his patients had increased confidence and better self esteem after surgery but many others did not. He concluded that more important than one's appearance is how people really feel about themselves. I'm sure there are many beautiful yet insecure people roaming the earth.

As cosmetic procedures become more popular, it's only a matter of time until you see plastic surgery offered at Costco or at the mall. One trend that worries me is how so many very young people are opting for cosmetic procedures. I've heard some people say how pleased they are with their surgery while others have expressed regret. It's obviously a good idea to get all the facts and do your homework before submitting to any surgical procedure, especially an elective one that you may not need.

I'm not here to judge people or to say when someone should have plastic surgery or what procedures are appropriate, but I will say this: If you are an attractive person, then please don't mess with your face! Yes, I'm talking to you Kenny Rogers, Bruce Jenner, Meg Ryan, Micky Rourke, and Priscilla Presley. It's always sad to see someone look a bit odd or strange after a botched procedure.

To summarize my thoughts on this subject, if you are already a good looking person but you still feel insecure and think you could use some cosmetic surgery, just don't do it, or something like this could happen.

I can see how some people might give into the temptation to undergo a procedure in order to make their body more attractive. When I went in for elbow surgery last year, I asked the surgeon to raise some of the skin on my elbow so it would look like Harrison Ford's elbow. He did a great job, but I seldom get any compliments. I'm thinking I should have asked for Hugh Jackman's elbow look instead.