I have a confession: My wife and I routinely watch Dr. 90210 on television.
As a plastic surgeon, I watch it for its entertainment value. However, I am increasingly concerned about the double-edged sword shows like this carry. I understand and appreciate that the genre of makeover shows has shown the general public that plastic surgery is generally safe, affordable, and something within their reach.
However, I am concerned that people take these shows too literally. On a recent episode, one of the surgeons performed a new procedure on the patient. (Using barbed sutures - a thread lift - to perform a brow lift.) The editing of the show did not demonstrate him discussing the fact that no long-term results were available for this new technique and that his results at that time had been, at best, modest. They showed the patient at her first postoperative visit and the surgeon raved about her results.
That was the end of the show, but not the end of the story. What they didn't show is that weeks later the patient's supposed great results had disappeared and she essentially received no benefit from this procedure. The board certified plastic surgeon, to his credit, has since published a one-page article describing his poor results with the new technique and basically stated that he no longer offers this to his patients and does not think it is a good procedure. He even published a picture of the patient seen on TV as an example of how the new procedure did not give any substantial result.
Herein lies the problem. Just because you saw it on TV doesn't make it “true”, even from a "reality show". If it sounds too good to be true, be careful. Happy watching.
To learn more visit Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery.
As a plastic surgeon, I watch it for its entertainment value. However, I am increasingly concerned about the double-edged sword shows like this carry. I understand and appreciate that the genre of makeover shows has shown the general public that plastic surgery is generally safe, affordable, and something within their reach.
However, I am concerned that people take these shows too literally. On a recent episode, one of the surgeons performed a new procedure on the patient. (Using barbed sutures - a thread lift - to perform a brow lift.) The editing of the show did not demonstrate him discussing the fact that no long-term results were available for this new technique and that his results at that time had been, at best, modest. They showed the patient at her first postoperative visit and the surgeon raved about her results.
That was the end of the show, but not the end of the story. What they didn't show is that weeks later the patient's supposed great results had disappeared and she essentially received no benefit from this procedure. The board certified plastic surgeon, to his credit, has since published a one-page article describing his poor results with the new technique and basically stated that he no longer offers this to his patients and does not think it is a good procedure. He even published a picture of the patient seen on TV as an example of how the new procedure did not give any substantial result.
Herein lies the problem. Just because you saw it on TV doesn't make it “true”, even from a "reality show". If it sounds too good to be true, be careful. Happy watching.
To learn more visit Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery.
posted by Eric Desman, M.D. at 4:56 AM
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