New York, NY (June 18, 2003) — Do
"reality" television shows about people
undergoing cosmetic plastic surgery
accurately represent what the average
patient can expect from surgery? According
to the 2100-member American Society for
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS),
recognized throughout the world as the
authoritative source for cosmetic surgery
education, the answer in many instances is
"No."



Viewers may not be able to distinguish
results achieved by plastic surgery from
those obtained through changes in hair
styling, make-up, wardrobe and cosmetic
dentistry - and this can be misleading, says
ASAPS. In addition, viewers may be
encouraged to regard "extreme" changes as
the goal of cosmetic plastic surgery, when
in fact most cosmetic surgery is geared
toward enhancing a person's appearance while
preserving their individuality.

 

"In my practice, and in the practices of
most plastic surgeons I know, patients come
in looking for the most natural results
possible," says ASAPS President Robert
Bernard, MD, of White Plains, NY. "In fact,"
he continues, "they often want reassurance
that they won't end up looking like a
'different person.' They don't want to go
into work a couple of weeks later and have
people not recognize them. They'd much
rather have everyone talking about how great
they look, not about how much plastic
surgery they've had."



That doesn't mean people can't have multiple
procedures, adds Dr. Bernard, and still look
very natural. "In facial rejuvenation,
having your face lifted but doing nothing
about the puffy bags under your eyes may
create a disharmonious facial appearance.
Fixing both requires two procedures - a
facelift and eyelid surgery - that are often
performed at the same time. The key is in
the right technique and the surgeon's
artistic touch," says Dr. Bernard.



However, combining certain types of
procedures may be contraindicated in
specific instances, he continues. "That's
why people need to keep in mind that what is
good for a patient appearing on television
may not be good for them."



ASAPS warns that patients who base their
expectations on another person's surgical
results may be in for disappointment. That's
because every individual has unique physical
characteristics - bone structure, condition
of tissues and muscles, and even unique
healing abilities - that help determine the
final results of cosmetic surgery.



ASAPS gives credit to at least one of the
current "reality" TV shows for selecting
only surgeons who are certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery. This
certification, particularly when a doctor
also is a member of the American Society for
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, ensures that the
doctor has appropriate training and
experience in cosmetic plastic surgery. But
even when doctors are well qualified and
have engaged in appropriate patient
evaluation, counseling and informed consent,
ASAPS is concerned that viewers may still
see patients as "contest winners." To
emphasize the importance of  proper
patient selection for cosmetic plastic
surgery, ASAPS recommends that explicit
statements about surgeon credentials,
methods of patient selection and patient
informed consent should be included in all
such programming.



For many people, undergoing aesthetic
(cosmetic) surgery has a profoundly positive
impact on self-confidence; this, in turn,
can enhance the way they relate to other
people and even how they perform their jobs.
However, having plastic surgery is never a
guarantee of happiness or success. A
suitable candidate for cosmetic plastic
surgery is someone who is in generally good
health, has a strong personal desire for
self-improvement, and is able to identify
specific, realistic goals for his or her
appearance. Those who have unrealistic
expectations are routinely informed by their
plastic surgeon about what is possible and
what is not possible through surgery.
According to an ASAPS survey of its member
surgeons, people with unrealistic
expectations frequently are refused surgery.




ASAPS recognizes the challenge television
producers face as they try to balance all of
the factors that go into creating
"entertainment." When it comes to important
health issues presented on television, says
ASAPS, entertainment and public education
ideally should go hand-in-hand. And when it
comes to plastic surgery on "reality" TV
programs, what you see may not be all there
is to the story.