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“Your Nose/Breasts/Face are Perfect.” The Ethics of Plastic Surgery.

Avoid Condescension

Lets say I don’t like my slowly graying hair.  One day when I show up at the salon, will the stylist tell me I don’t need “Just for Men” hair color?  “Your gray hair is perfect, you don’t need this product.”Forget them!  If I want Touch of Gray, you bet I’m going to get it!

Doesn’t an attitude of “your [body part] is great” deny the individual space to make reasonable determinations about self-image?

When patients discuss an area of concern, often it’s something that doesn’t bother me.  That’s not the point – it bothers the patient.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

There are people who suffer from mental illness.  Typical hallmarks of body dysmorphic disorder are extreme preoccupation, perfectionist tendencies and avoiding social situations.  While I am not a psychiatrist, I do refer out to mental health professionals when I have a concern.  See here and here.

On multiple occasions, I have required patients obtain psychiatric clearance for surgery, just as I would obtain cardiac clearance to ensure that a patient is healthy enough to undergo a procedure.

Not encouraging patients to undergo a procedure they otherwise do not want

This is the opposite of avoiding condescension.

Your eyebrows – they are not 100% symmetric.  Your nose – you noticed that bump?  Your upper lip – it looks small when you smile.  It’s very easy to make people self conscious about their body – and that’s not right.

So I don’t judge people when they tell me something concerns them.  Likewise, I don’t manufacture concern where none exists.

Dr. Domanski
Curve Accent

ABOUT DR. DOMANSKI

Focusing on natural results, Dr. Domanski believes in helping patients regain control over their bodies.

Dr. Mark Domanski is a Double-Board certified Plastic Surgeon. Dr. Domanski is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.

He has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” by Washingtonian Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine and DC Modern Luxury magazine. However, Dr. Domanski’s favorite accolade is his Most Compassionate Doctor award by Patient’s Choice.

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