Article: Shannon Smith from FAIRLADY

The Plastic surgeon
Dr Deon van der Westhuizen

In your opinion, which procedures give the greatest patient satisfaction?
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), liposuction, breast reduction and breast augmentation.

What can a patient do to best prepare for surgery?
On a physiological level you should be fit and not overweight.

If you're over the age of 55,you should go to a physician for a full check-up.

On an emotional level, it's important to have positive support. There are emotional processes which are common after all surgical procedures.

It's important to know that surgery will not necessarily change relationships or make you feel happier about yourself.

Do you ever think that someone is unsuitable for surgery?
You need to have realistic expectations and be emotionally, physiologically and psychologically prepared.

Be careful if you're in a sensitive emotional state such as just after a divorce or having lost a loved one. Subtle issues such as depression, body image problems like bulimia, anorexia or binge eating affect one's ability to judge body image. Here simultaneous psychological support would be important.

Do you think that our feelings about body image have changed?
I do know that modern clothing dictates how you feel and if you have a genetically challenged body it is difficult to clothe it.

As far as an image is concerned, this is a psychological issue. There is a huge increase in the prevalence of depression which must generally indicate a degree of unhappiness. This must, to some extent, extend to body image problems.

There's a lot of pressure on women to look younger for longer. Do you think this is healthy or realistic?
It is clear that there is a discrepancy between biological age and how old you actually feel. If you are well balanced emotionally, psychologically and are healthy physiologically, you're an excellent candidate for rejuvenating procedures, if you have realistic expectations.

My challenge is to match your expectations with an appropriate procedure. There is research that indicates that youth and beauty are important attributes in the job market and socially.

If we are going to live a lot longer than previous generations, then a youthful attitude and appearance will contribute substantially.

Read on.
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