Botox Makes you Feel Sexy, People Aren't Ashamed to Bare Their Breasts, Everyone has More Than One Procedure and Other Shocking Revelations are Made in New Medical Survey
Board certified Dr. Gregory Buford surveys patients to get to the bottom of the truth, motivators and psychology behind plastic surgery.
Denver, Colo. (PRWEB) May 24, 2007
There's a lot of hype surrounding the plastic surgery industry these days and sometimes it's impossible to tell who's having what, when they're having it, and more importantly, why they are having it. In Colorado, a state that thrives on its abundance of outdoor activities and its ode to all things 'natural,' are more people going under the knife than we think? According to a new survey conducted by Gregory Buford, MD, they are…and they're not ashamed to admit it.
Dr. Buford, a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in the Denver area, surveyed 100 patients to find out how, when and why they elected to undergo aesthetic treatments and procedures.
Among the most significant findings were that 46 percent of respondents had their first procedure surprisingly young - between the ages of 25-29. The most popular procedures elected by these respondents were breast augmentation at 38 percent and fillers and injectables such as Botox or Restylane at 22 percent. And these individuals were not after an unnatural, or even younger look. Nearly 34 percent admitted to wanting their bodies to simply look more proportionate. However, while most (80 percent) said that to themselves their look was "much better" post surgery, only 59 percent said that they looked better to others. This proves an important point - successful plastic surgery does not have to be dramatic (think Michael Jackson, Joan Rivers) and is oftentimes better when it is a minor change only noticeable to the patient.
More surprisingly however, is that cosmetic enhancement may be addictive - 100 percent of respondents had an additional procedure or treatment done after the first. Plastic surgery, it seems, is a repeat business in Colorado.
Is plastic surgery addictive?
The survey revealed that many patients who come in for seemingly simple, routine treatments like medical skin care or scar correction, end up going under the knife. Not surprisingly, then, is that more than 86 percent say they would have cosmetic surgery performed again and over 90 percent would recommend it to friends and family.
"I had chemical peels that lead to laser hair removal, then to collagen injection in my lips. I admit that I get more and more curious as I experience more procedures. Plus, my fear decreases and I become more comfortable with the idea," one respondent commented.
"I came in for treatment to my eye after a fall and decided to have a tummy tuck, liposuction, and eye lift," another said.
"As you learn what is available by visiting with the surgeon you get more interested," yet another respondent concurred.
Does it improve your sex life?
Most (58 percent) respondents feel more comfortable in the nude since having cosmetic surgery. In turn, it has improved their sex lives, with 46 percent saying that bedroom action is better to dramatically better. Another 40 percent admit to initiating sex more often and 38 percent find themselves less sexually inhibited.
Do you keep your procedure a secret?
Most respondents, 47 percent to be exact, are shouting their beauty secrets from the rooftops. In fact, only 6 percent keep it a secret while another 45 percent say the choice to divulge the details is purely circumstantial.
"I have great self-confidence so if I can help others, I have no problem owning my procedures," one respondent affirmed.
"In appropriate situations, I have no problem telling people about it. I am an overly honest person who is secure about what I did and why I did it. I am not ashamed of it in any capacity. I like talking to people who are considering it in order to make them feel more comfortable about the decision," agreed another.
Look Good, Feel Better
Not surprisingly, most patients said that electing cosmetic enhancement made them feel better about themselves, with 66 percent believing that it improved their self-esteem. Is it possible, then, that plastic surgery can create false expectations and be seen as a "quick fix" to mask other problems in a patient's life? According to Dr. Buford, it is.
"Many patients come to me wanting to fill some void in their loves. That's why it is important to do careful mental screenings before agreeing to perform a procedure. We ask our patients a series of questions and meet with them multiple times before we actually do surgery. Typically, we can detect this quite easily," he said.
Still, most patients, even those electing surgery for valid reasons, do report a significant increase in their self-esteem post recovery.
Is Colorado a Surgery-Friendly State?
Although cosmetic surgery is commonly accepted in cities like Miami, New York and Los Angeles, there is an overall perception that Coloradoans prefer to keep their beauty regimes more natural and that plastic surgery is a seemingly "taboo" subject in our state. According to the survey, 57 percent find it to be a perfectly acceptable topic and feel that most Coloradoans are fine with openly discussing what they have or will have done. Another 58 percent believe that many Coloradoans are having work done and simply keeping it a secret.
"Everyone in Colorado is trying to look younger and more fit, so of course plastic surgery plays into that. It is naïve to think that we are all completely natural, especially in Denver. People are having work done. They simply aren't talking about it like they do on the coasts," one respondent said.
"I think people in Colorado feel very judged when they have cosmetic procedures. Living in Arizona, I never felt that way. We openly discussed Botox and referred surgeons among friends or even mere acquaintances. Here, I would never divulge such information for fear of being criticized," another reports.
Even those we might never expect to be surgery proponents in Colorado seemingly, are.
"I am a Thai massage practitioner and a yoga and dance instructor. I am the LAST person that would have a breast augmentation. I used to think that people would think that I am vain, selfish, and am having the procedure for a man. Certainly NOT the case! I used to study gender and ethnic literature in graduate school, and I used to think that if I changed my body, that it HAD to be because I was doing it for a man. But after really thinking about my intentions, I realized that I've always wanted the procedure," said one of Dr. Buford's patients.
"And being natural and athletic is not mutually exclusive with plastic surgery. I practice yoga daily. I run every other day. And I teach dance every week. I give 3-4 massages every day. I eat organically and lead a healthy lifestyle, and I also had breast augmentation. I think it fits with my life and my values. My procedure gave me more confidence and a vitalized sense of self. I hope that more Coloradoans will open themselves to plastic surgery, realizing that it is empowering and that it compliments a natural, healthy lifestyle," she finished.
For more insight on cosmetic enhancement in Colorado, to receive a comprehensive report of survey findings and methodologies, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Buford, please contact Betsy Martin at betsy @ decibelcommunications. com.
About Gregory Buford, MD
Dr. Gregory Buford is a member of The Center for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery and founding Medical Director of Body By Buford. As one of few Colorado Plastic Surgeons to have completed formal postgraduate training in Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Buford offers surgical procedures and non-invasive treatments for the face and body, and is specialized in breast enhancements, body shaping and facial restoration procedures. Dr. Buford is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a nationally recognized trainer for Botox and Restylane and is one of three of the highest Sculptra trainers in North America. For more information please visit www. bodybybuford. com or call 303 708 8234.
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