|
|
 |
|
||
| No
longer for the Hollywood elite, cosmetic surgery is sneaking into our
regular beauty regimes as unobtrusively as scheduled salon appointments
for that upper lip wax or hair color. Look, no one lies about their hairdresser
anymore. We low-light and highlight these days, purposefully go gray,
and add eye-catching extensions. And we actually tell people where we
got it done. And in these contemporary times when we consider the range
of techniques available, we are not limited. There’s minimally
invasive procedures such as Botox, collagen injections, and chemical
peels. There are also more permanent options such as rhinoplasty (“nose
jobs”), face-lifts, liposuction, tummy-tucks, breast augmentation,
and reconstruction, among others. Cosmetic surgery is not a cure-all, yet it does possess the ability to change our lives for the better; how we perceive ourselves is directly related to how we interact and associate with others. This principle encompasses all aspects of our lives, and in some cases, how we function. We are visual creatures; it is how we process and recognize loved ones, future mates, and the world around us. In other words, appearance to a degree is everything. Therefore, we seek ways to change, restore, and enhance it. Beyond diet and exercise, what actions we take to improve our well-being can lend to a better self-view, which can boost us into a more confident life-view. Finding the right plastic surgeon is crucial. You want honesty, time-tested integrity, and a physician who listens. You want him to match your needs with your realistic expectations, and for him to take pride in his work. With over a decade of medical experience, Dr. Henry Yang seems to have the meticulous but endearing demeanor that people usually hope for in a surgeon. He is double-board certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery and plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Yang seems to provide personal and consistent care in a field where sometimes we mistakenly think elective surgery equates to less-quality care. Not so. In fact, Dr. Yang says he actually takes his own calls from his postoperative patients and personally addresses any concerns during post-surgical rest and recovery. It’s not uncommon for a previous client to stop by Dr. Yang’s office just to say hello to him and his staff, or maybe to share personal updates, romances, or some aspect of their renewed lifestyle. Here is what Courtney, a recent patient had to say: “Dr. Yang was very knowledgeable and provided me with information that other doctors had not. He and his staff made me comfortable on every level. Leading up to my surgery, I contacted Dr. Yang many times. Each time, my questions were answered promptly. I am very pleased with my results. I feel very fortunate to have him as my surgeon.” According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were nearly 11 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States in 2006; that’s up 7% from 2005. In fact, cosmetic surgery is becoming so universal that I find it challenging to meet anyone or know of an acquaintance who hasn’t had a procedure done. Some attribute the increase in face-lifts and minimally invasive procedures to our large population of Baby Boomers, but it’s also quite popular with those in younger generations. A girlfriend of mine was born with her chest sunken on her left side. Since she was 12 years old at the onset of puberty, she longed to look normal and to feel attractive. I met her when we were in our mid-20’s. At the time when I looked at her, all I saw was a tall and lithe redhead who exuded grace when she wasn’t rounding her shoulders in a slouching posture. She then shared her secret with me about her lifelong struggle to fit into tanks, bikinis, and bras. Of course she was her worst critic, as we tend to be. And she often walked around as if her uneven chest was visible to everyone. Obviously, this was a barrier keeping her from becoming a more confident young woman who sought life instead of hiding from it. She had consulted a physician about breast augmentation, and one day she turned to me and said, “I’m going to do it. Please don’t tell anyone.” This was well before the household name of Botox, before Angelina Jolie’s lips were talked about openly, and well before TV success shows such as “Nip/Tuck” or “Extreme Makeover.” What she had been suffering with for years, very privately, isn’t any different from what others experience every day. Thankfully, we live in a time right now where plastic surgery is talked about more openly and honestly. This includes reconstructive surgery. In fact, according to a study conducted between 2006 and 2007 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were more than 5.2 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures performed. Dr. Yang says he understands the complexity behind such surgeries, and has dealt with patients tackling body image after devastating bouts with such illnesses as cancer. With the top five cosmetic procedures being breast augmentation, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), liposuction, eyelid surgery, and tummy tucks, the majority of the patients are women. Although it is reported that females comprise over 90% of all cosmetic procedures, more men every year are turning to plastic surgeons for various procedures. According to ASPS, male breast reduction increased by 7% from 2006 to 2007, and pectoral implants increased by 8%. And more men are seeking minimally invasive procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, Botox, and hyaluronic acid treatments such as Restylane and Juvaderm. When you contact Dr. Yang, he says he can assist you with all of your plastic surgery questions and considerations such as the following: exploring why you want the surgery; what your realistic expectations should be; what risks are involved; and what you can expect in your post-surgery recovery. His office staff can help you explore the payment and insurance options that are available to you. And through August, Dr. Yang is offering Botox and Juvaderm specials on select days. Contact his office at 303-996-1084 during regular business hours to find out more. Also visit their Web site at www.yangplasticsurgery.com. |
Dr. Henry Yang |
||
|
