In my twelve or so years as a practicing cosmetic surgeon, I've seen time and time again how inspiring and uplifting cosmetic surgery can be when it's performed for the right reason - to balance how you look with how you feel. For many women, the most frustrating aspect of aging, in the words of one of my patients, is that "I started losing it on the outside just as I began to feel good about myself inside."
Although I take issue with plastic surgery advertisements extolling the virtues of a "new you" - the implication being that the old you is not good enough and must be replaced with something of your surgeon's creation - I have no doubt that it is empowering to reclaim the real you. Touching up your exterior won't win you friends or influence people, but fixing a problem that impairs your quality of life can certainly boost a flagging, but still healthy, self-esteem. Whether you love or hate Joy Behar, she's probably the last woman you'd cite for poor self-esteem - even though she recently outed herself on ABC TV's The View as a BOTOX® and Restylane® user[2].
As tragic as the death of Dr. West was, I hope it will encourage us not to lay shame, guilt and fear on women who are considering cosmetic surgery, but to liberate them instead to do their due diligence and to avoid making hasty decisions. I also hope that it will cast a spotlight on new, less invasive procedures that do not require anesthesia and, as such, are virtually risk-free.
[1] Face Value: The Truth About Beauty - and a Guilt-Free Guide To Finding It [Rodale]
[2] The View 9/21/07 [ABC TV]
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