Cosmetic Surgery: Is it Right for You?
Cosmetic surgery has increased dramatically in popularity over the past 10 years. With this increase in popularity, attitudes towards cosmetic surgery have changed as well. Fewer people are growing older gracefully, while more and more are accepting the cosmetic surgery alternative.
Like nearly all fields of medicine, cosmetic surgery has undergone significant technological and conceptual changes in recent years. The conceptual changes have altered the approaches to facial aging, especially as they relate to the forehead, eyelids and lower face. Technological changes include the increasing use of the laser for facial cosmetic surgery, and minimally invasive techniques for face, breast and body contouring surgery.
While any elective surgical procedure carries some risk, the advances in cosmetic surgery have translated into faster recovery and more natural appearing results.
Making the Decision
The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery is intensely personal. After all, this type of surgery is completely voluntary. Unlike other necessary surgeries, we're often driven to consider cosmetic surgery from a combination of social and emotional factors. Our body images in part are shaped by society.
Although cosmetic surgery will not change your life, it may give you greater self-confidence and add to your sense of well-being. Do not make this decision lightly. It will not solve personal problems or make you look like someone else. Although people have many good reasons for seeking cosmetic surgery, some people seek cosmetic surgery for the wrong reasons and should reconsider their decision.
The ideal candidate for cosmetic surgery is a well-motivated individual who has considered cosmetic surgery for some time. Most patients have seriously thought about having cosmetic surgery for 5 years or more.
Commonly stated good reasons for seeking cosmetic surgery include the following:
- "I want to do it for myself."
- "I look into the mirror and I don't recognize that person."
- "I feel young, I exercise, but I don't look the way I feel."
- "People keep telling me I look tired or angry."
Ill-advised reasons for seeking cosmetic surgery include the following:
- "My husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend is leaving me. I'm looking for a boost."
- "My husband/wife has died and I'm looking for a pick-me-up."
Why Do I Want Cosmetic Surgery?
The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery is intensely personal. After all, this type of surgery is completely voluntary. Unlike other necessary surgeries, we're often driven to consider cosmetic surgery from a combination of social and emotional factors. Our body images in part are shaped by society.
Although cosmetic surgery will not change your life, it may give you greater self-confidence and add to your sense of well-being. Do not make this decision lightly. It will not solve personal problems or make you look like someone else. Although people have many good reasons for seeking cosmetic surgery, some people seek cosmetic surgery for the wrong reasons and should reconsider their decision.
WebMD Medical Reference
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRIPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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Ob-Gyn Laura Corio explains why women should not try to diagnose their own yeast infection.
