Aging
Posted July 27, 2015
As a plastic surgeon, most of my days in the office are spent listening to patients discuss aging and how it affects them, both physically and psychologically. Now that I am 51 and have been practicing plastic surgery for 14 years, I am no longer just discussing the effects, but I too, am experiencing them.
As we age our skin becomes thinner and less elastic. The effects of constant muscle pull and sagging tissue can cause lines and wrinkles on the face. There are also changes in the distribution of body fat. We notice thinning in our faces but more thickness in our midsection. Women find their breasts lose volume and begin to sag. I find that my patients begin noticing these changes in their late 30’s and addressing them in their early 40’s.
The good news is that plastic surgery can offer a wide variety of options ranging from non-invasive procedures to corrective surgery. The use of dermal fillers and Botox continue to rise and new techniques have been discovered to control the development of lines on the face. Lasers can correct sun damage and improve texture.
Lastly, surgical procedures are very effective in turning back the clock on an aging face and recontouring the chest, abdomen and extremities. Downtime for these procedures is reasonable and with minimal risk.
If you are thinking about plastic surgery, either non-invasive or surgical, I strongly urge you to do your homework and check the credential of the practice and surgeon.
