Study checklist before facelift

I am scheduled to have my face lifted in two months. Even though I have wanted this for a long time, I am beginning to have second thoughts such as: Isn’t it selfish of me to spend a lot of money to have this done when I could put the money to better use, for instance, giving it to charity?; What if something goes wrong and I end up looking worse after the operation? Are feelings like these common among people who opt for plastic surgery?

This year, thousands of men and women will undergo surgery to improve their appearance and enhance their self-esteem. While many will feel anxious before surgery, they will fully appreciate the benefits for which they hoped after the operation and its recovery period. Some, however, despite excellent results, will experience distress and disappointment following surgery.

Apparently, it is possible to predict who will be pleased and who would be advised not to attempt surgical change since studies by plastic surgeons have defined the characteristics of both groups. Predictably, good candidates share these attitudes: Realistic expectations: If what one hopes to gain from having surgery is realistic, and the surgeon agrees that these are feasible goals, the results will most likely be viewed with satisfaction. Generally, operations designed to restore or preserve a youthful appearance produce a more refreshed, less fatigued look by removing loose skin about the eyes, face and neck. Good prospective patients understand that looks or features may change for the better, thus improving self-image, but cosmetic surgery is not meant to effect personality changes or magical transformations. The patient who arrives at the surgeon’s office carrying a picture of an admired celebrity is not a good candidate.

Clearly defined goals: A patient who requests that she would like “the bump removed from my nose” or “the skin under my eyes tightened” is a likelier prospect than one who asks the doctor to “do whatever you think is necessary to improve by looks.” Communication with the surgeon: A good rapport is necessary. In the unlikely event of a complication, the patient must be confident of the surgeon’s support until the problem is resolved.

Appropriate motivation: A good candidate for cosmetic surgery is one who desires change to please herself, not one who yields to the pressures of family or friends. The deformity of a single feature is never the root of all a patient’s problems, and success is more likely ff the patient states: “I want to have this operation even if no one but myself notices the change.” Commitment to change: Long-standing feelings about defects in appearance and a strong desire for change lead to both subjective and objective improvements. Vague motives for desiring surgery must be clarified before proceeding with an operation.

Honest appreciation of one’s feelings: Ambivalent or guilt feelings exist in many, if not most, patients before surgery. Questions such as, “Shouldn’t I put this money aside for my grandchildren instead of having a facelift?” and, “Isn’t it ridiculous to care about wrinkles at my age?” are common.

All emotionally sound people desire physical attractiveness, though society’s pressures often suggest other priorities; this conflict can usually be resolved, but both patient and surgeon risk dissatisfaction unless a patient recognizes that: An operation to improve looks is not the balm to heal the wound of rejection or loss. A recent loss must be properly mourned before undertaking a permanent change.

An operation can change a feature or feeling about oneself, but can never be counted on to influence the behavior of others. A straying husband is not likely to become more attentive even if a facelift is accomplished.

Cosmetic surgery must never be thought of as lightly as a change of makeup or hairstyle. Most surgery patients have a relatively trouble-free course; but, if a problem does arise or a revision is required, this should never be seen as failure. Even with satisfactory results, some patients experience a period of post-operative depression, which is normal and generally fades in time.

One must be prepared for possible unexpected consequences of surgery. Some patients are as unprepared for positive results as for negative ones. A woman may find it difficult to deal with a sudden increase in male attention, for example.

A history of neurotic conflict does not necessarily contraindicate having cosmetic surgery. The offending physical feature may, in fact, be contributing to the patient’s emotional distress. Even depressed patients might benefit from surgery. In such cases, only close collaboration between patient, plastic surgeon and psychiatrist can determine if plastic surgery is wise.

Can you please tell me what causes shingles? My sister has just been diagnosed as having them and this makes me wonder if I might be susceptible too? Marked by blistery, itching outbreaks, shingles or herpes zoster is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. After one is exposed to chicken pox, the virus remains dormant in the body within the nerve cells lining the spinal cord. Later in life, the virus may be reactivated or travel along the sensory nerves to the skin and cause these extremely painful eruptions.

The tiny lesions appear in clusters surrounded by tender, irritated skin and are usually confined to one side of the body. When the blisters break, a scab forms over the dried fluids. Pain may precede the appearance of these lesions, and may persist long after the eruptions have cleared (a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia). Fatigue, fever and headache are also possible complications.

For days, even weeks, before the first visible signs appear, an aching or burning feeling may emanate from the area nourished by the affected nerve. This region – beginning at the spine and extending down one side of the body or travelling along a limb – is known as a dermatome. The pain and itching, often intense, usually trace the path of the underlying nerves.

Fifteen-minute soaks with compresses dipped in tepid salt water usually help stave off infection by drying blisters and should be applied every four to six hours. Antibiotics, antihistamines and analgesics can be taken for infection, itching and pain, while calamine lotion helps soothe the affected tissues (as will creams containing steroids). When shingles occur on the side of the nose, an ophthalmologist should be consulted promptly to make sure the eye has not been affected. If shingles has infected the eye area, special eye drops and other treatment may be necessary.