Senior Selfies and Surgery
The world communicates so much on the Internet these days that laptops, iPads and Smart phones are now part of our daily interactions with other people.
We communicate with our friends and loved ones across the globe easily from our living rooms to anywhere in the world with modern technology. Pretty impressive!
Many families have loved ones scattered across the world are able to keep in contact this way, and as a result, people are starting to notice how they look in photos and on camera. Many are choosing to have cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance online for their “Selfies” and face time interactions. In fact, statistics show that the requests for cosmetic procedures are up specifically because of the “Selfie” trend!
Following the lead of the younger population, there has been a growth in the senior population choosing to have cosmetic procedures. Especially the lower face! People who look down into a smartphone or i-pad especially notice and comment on how their faces and necks are sagging! Looking down is an unflattering angle for sure, but many of us do it!
For example, I helped my mom record a Whatsapp video and sent it to her brother in Germany.
She could not believe that technology is so advanced… but then she could not believe how old she thought she looked and asked me what we could do about it.
Many seniors are active- dancing, traveling, golfing, and socializing, and are more concerned about their appearances than ever. People are living well into their eighties and nineties and still want to look as good as they possibly can.
Dating sites for seniors such as Seniormatch and Ourtime.com have created new relationships and marriages for Babyboomers. Because of these types of sites, where a profile photo or “selfie” must be posted, people want to look their most youthful and attractive.
Do physicians turn down seniors who want plastic surgery? Some may think that the risks of general anesthesia outweigh an elective surgery. There is always a risk when having surgery and anesthesia, and both surgeon and patient should discuss those risks together.
However, if the patient passes all of the pre-operative tests, and is cleared by an Internist to have surgery, then cosmetic surgery can be a positive change.
