Returning the gift of beauty

OP. DR. YUNUS DOĞAN

If the lift don’t fit, can you take it back?

Electing to undergo plastic surgery can be a big decision. Some patients spend years contemplating whether or not they will even go under the knife. They painstakingly read reviews and contact prospective surgeons. Before they finalize the facelift and settle on some liposuction, they might question the degree of necessity of anything.

Common pre-operative reservations that deter prospective patients from making actual reservations include the fear that their results won’t look natural. Asking potential surgeons for before-and-after pictures of actual patients can help answer this question. Men and ladies of a certain age may wonder if they’re too old for plastic surgery.

Now that you know you can be in the December of your life and still be an extremely viable candidate for surgery, did you know that the literal month of December is traditionally a popular month for plastic surgery? You can give yourself the gift of rejuvenation this holiday season!

In this holiday season of prosperity and gift-giving, one might wonder if there’s a return policy on plastic surgery. Can you reverse the ultimate reversal of aging?

Why would anyone take their new face off?

While a majority of plastic surgery patients are thrilled with their results - especially if they’re successful in maintaining them - some people are not as satisfied. At this point there may be two options, depending on the type of procedure: revision or reversal. A revision is a second surgery intended to enhance or improve the initial procedure. A reversal is performed to undo what the initial surgery has done.

For as much hesitation that exists prior to undergoing plastic surgery, there may also be doubt or second-guessing afterward. Per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, some reasons that patients may ask to reverse their procedures include:

• Irreparable medical complications
• Deep-seeded psychological or emotional concerns
• Unwavering changes in individual preferences
• Unavoidable personal or lifestyle changes

Medical complications

Occasionally tissue damage or severe infections require a second trip to the operating room. Often, a revision surgery can eliminate any damaged skin or tissue and clear out infections that antibiotics alone cannot cure. Less often, patients prefer to reverse their plastic surgery procedure entirely in an effort to undo what has been done.

Psychological or emotional concerns

As we’ve mentioned previously, plastic surgery patients usually spend a considerable amount of time researching their procedures and surgeons. With so much time spent mentally preparing, mental health is naturally a component in the equation of redefining oneself. If ample time passes prior to the surgery, the patient is usually comfortable and confident with the outcome. Rarely do patients develop unforeseen concerns after surgery. In these cases, reversal surgery can possibly help mitigate negative reactions.

Changes in individual preferences

Just as cosmetic and beauty trends are ever evolving, a patient’s individual desires and reasons can also change course. People very closely following said trends may want to physically follow them in any direction they lead, at any time. And those without their fingers on the pulse of mainstream media can turn a 180. Ideals we’ve had in our 20s and 30s may develop into different personal goals as we age. This can result in our opinions and preferences changing as well.

Personal or lifestyle changes

Life can certainly be unpredictable: unexpected pregnancy, changes in marital status or a career change can necessitate a plastic surgery revision or reversal depending on what you and your surgeon decide. Our journeys in life are not clearly mapped out for us, despite our hopes and intentions.

The last stitch

Understand that some procedures are easier to reverse than others. Injectible fillers and Botox are among the easiest to undo and dissolve. They have minimal risk to the patient and the highest rate of reversibility.

Breast augmentation can be moderately successful in reversal, where patients may have developed a need for smaller breasts. Unfortunately there is a moderate risk as well, and patients should view this reversal as a brand new surgery, complete with the same risks and complications as the initial augmentation. Bear in mind that scar tissue will develop with every incision.

Fat removal procedures such as liposuction and bichectomy are also more complicated to reverse, depending on the affected area of the body. Once fat cells are removed, they do not grow back. Surgeons are unable to remove each and every fat cell and the remaining ones can grow in size to regain volume. However, this is difficult to control and maintain.

For example, bichectomy - the removal of the fat pads in the cheek - can leave a patient’s cheeks sunken and hollow. This may make patients’ faces look older than their biological age and the fat will not grow back, regardless of how much Christmas fudge you eat.

The most important element in this decision is your peace of mind. Take time and decide what you really want. Don’t be afraid to talk to a valid medical resource - doctor, therapist, fellow plastic surgery patient - and align your thoughts. If you are completely insistent on reversing your surgery, consult your surgeon to discuss your plastic surgery “return policy.”