I am so excited for Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson’s first blog post!!!
Today we have a trick for Mother Nature and special treat for everyone else…Dr. Donaldson is a man with a plan to make sure we all grow old gracefully so enjoy!
Plastic Surgery: A Plan for the Ages
Thank you, Brooke, for inviting me to contribute to your Blog. If
your professional description is “Lifestyle analyst, curator of style
and observer of good taste,” then mine is “Anatomical aesthete,
curator of form and function and creator of subtle refinements.” I
hope to provide your readers with fresh insight, to
debunk the stereotypes that continually play out in popular media, and
to make plastic surgical concepts more relevant, accessible and local.
Plastic surgery never substitutes for a healthy lifestyle and positive
self-image; at its best, it complements balanced nutrition, exercise
and mental status. It is a powerful tool, to be wielded ethically and
appropriately with an expert provider who shares the patient’s vision
and understands his or her goals.
A mentor once told me, “Every person in this country is either
pre-operative or post-operative.” That may be true.
Two types of patients visit my practice. The first says “This is
something that has bothered me my entire life… I would like to have
it fixed.” The second says, “When I look in the mirror, I don’t even
recognize myself anymore… Please tell me what YOU see as the expert
and what YOU would do.” Both perspectives are equally valid, but I
tend to turn the question back on the patient by saying “Let’s start
with your telling me what bothers you most.” Regardless of approach,
certain cosmetic themes emerge according to age:
Adolescence:
Children who have exaggerated, prominent ears and boys who have large,
feminine breasts begin to grow their hair long and wear loose clothing
to avoid the ridicule of their peers. Many withdraw from certain
social situations and refuse to swim! Proactive parents realize that
something may be done, as both conditions have safe, straightforward
surgical solutions. Otoplasty sets back the ears through a hidden
incision in the crease behind the ear; advanced liposuction techniques
treat gynecomastia and enable a more masculine chest through a 1/4
inch incision in the armpit.
The Twenties:
In my practice, the most common procedures among this group are breast
augmentation and labiaplasty. Women often complain, “I look flat. I
can’t fill my bras and dresses properly. I hate wearing bikinis.
When I try to wrap a towel around myself after a shower, it falls to
the floor!” Breast implants have come a long way in the past several
decades, and more minimal-access approaches have decreased the
downtime and improved the results. Labiaplasty is a common outpatient
procedure that is helping women with stretched, protruding anatomy to
regain confidence and comfort by restoring a less conspicuous and
redundant form.
The Thirties:
Aging begins! Babies, sun exposure, weight fluctuations and genetics
begin to take their toll. Many women consider the “mommy makeover” –
typically, a combination of breast augmentation and/or lifting, tummy
tuck and liposuction — that goes a long way toward restoring the
pre-pregnancy shape. Good skincare becomes important, and the first
fine lines on the face may be addressed.
The Forties:
Armed with more resources and less time, some patients catch up by
having procedures they wanted in their twenties and thirties; others
begin to maintain their appearance with Botox, Juvederm, fat transfer
and aggressive skincare. Life circumstances such as divorce, career
changes and empty-nesting often create a call-to-action.
The Fifties and Sixties:
Facial rejuvenation predominates. Botox and fillers may continue to
be helpful, but surgery is also indicated for lighter eyelids,
smoother jawlines and tighter necks. Patients say they look tired or
angry all the time, and they want to look better; or, they say “I feel
like I’m 35, and when I look in the mirror, I wonder who that old
person is!” Surgery can often help bridge the gap between how a
patient feels, and how they look.
The Seventies and Eighties:
It’s never too late! Several patients have asked, “Am I crazy to
consider this at my age?” My response is usually “If you are healthy,
and this bothers you, then there’s no reason not to fix it!”
So I’ve already created more stereotypes! Sometimes that’s necessary
in a broad overview. There is no single variable that defines a
plastic surgical patient — interest in these techniques spans across
age, gender, socioeconomics and demographics. Perhaps this outline
will spawn more focused topics and discussions moving forward, and we
can productively explore the possibilities and ramifications together.
