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Fictional
Portrayal of
Plastic Surgery
Does More Than
Miss the Mark |
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New York, NY (July 21, 2003) -
"Nip/Tuck," a fictional
television series that focuses
on the personal and professional
lives of two plastic surgeons,
does not even remotely portray
the "real life" world of plastic
surgery and does a disservice to
millions of patients who benefit
from cosmetic procedures, says
the American
Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS). ASAPS is
the leading organization of
board-certified plastic surgeons
specializing in cosmetic plastic
surgery.
"ASAPS members, and other
board-certified plastic
surgeons, follow a strict Code
of Ethics, developed by our
specialty to promote the highest
standards of personal and
professional conduct," says
ASAPS President Robert Bernard,
MD, of White Plains, NY. "The
manner in which our profession
is portrayed in this new series
is absolutely absurd."
The doctor/patient relationship
as portrayed in the series is
particularly disturbing to
responsible plastic surgeons.
Plastic surgeons listen to what
bothers patients about their
looks and, when appropriate,
they offer surgical solutions;
data has shown that plastic
surgeons try to identify
patients with unrealistic
expectations, since these people
are not appropriate candidates
for surgery. Doctors routinely
tell patients to expect
improvement, not perfection;
they do not take advantage of
patients' fears, anxieties or
emotional vulnerabilities.
Plastic surgeons know that one
of the keys to successful
surgery is a satisfied patient,
and satisfaction is only
possible when patient and doctor
agree on what can be
realistically achieved through
surgery.
Cosmetic surgery is not promoted
by plastic surgeons as a magic
bullet or "fix all" solution to
personal problems; the primary
gains from cosmetic plastic
surgery are enhanced body image,
and therefore, enhanced
self-confidence. "What plastic
surgeons do usually results in
men and women looking better and
feeling better about themselves,
and that is very meaningful -
for them and for us," says Dr.
Bernard. "We have enormous
respect - both for what is
possible through surgery and for
the patients who put themselves
in our hands."
The beneficial psychological
effects of aesthetic (cosmetic)
plastic surgery are supported by
a growing amount of
peer-reviewed scientific
literature. For properly
selected patients, aesthetic
plastic surgery can be part of a
continuum of intelligent
self-care that includes
lifestyle choices like eating
the right foods, exercising, and
not abusing cigarettes and
alcohol.
"The aim of a dramatic series
like 'Nip/Tuck' is to shock,
titillate and entertain," says
Dr. Bernard. "As plastic
surgeons, our only response to
this ridiculous program is that
viewers should not confuse
fiction with reality. Given the
outlandish story line so far,
it's unlikely that anyone
would."
The mission of ASAPS, founded in
1967, includes research and the
education of plastic surgeons,
for the advancement of aesthetic
plastic surgery and patient
care. ASAPS maintains a web site
(www.surgery.org) that provides
the public with authoritative
information on all aspects of
cosmetic plastic surgery, as
well as referrals to qualified
surgeons. Consumers also may
call toll-free for surgeon
referrals: 1-888.ASAPS.11
(272.7711). |
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