Is Plastic Surgery a Good Investment?
February 21st, 2012With tax season upon us, and many of my patients receiving refund checks, the question arises as to how best to spend the money. Obviously, family and financial needs must first be met. But what if there is a little bit more that you could use? Is plastic surgery a good investment?
I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, not a financial planner or a business person, so my observations are from my 15 years at Yager Esthetics. I will lay out for you the potential benefits, and you can decide whether it makes sense to you.
Plastic surgery can boost your self esteem and enhance the way you feel about your body and your sexuality. The confidence it brings can change the clothing choices you make, the activities you will participate in, and even the way you interact with others both socially and in business.
A refreshed appearance can make you look younger, more energetic, and less tired to potential romantic interests as well as potential employers. It can also help those who feel young on the inside feel better about looking in the mirror and seeing what they want to see.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery can be empowering, especially to women after having had children or massive weight loss. It can be a fresh start to a healthier lifestyle, as when you look better, you tend to take better care of yourself through improved diet and exercise.
All of these benefits are enjoyed every hour of every day no matter where you are or what time it is. Yes it is a “me” thing, but if you have worked hard you deserve to do something for yourself.
If the numbers add up for you, it may turn out to be the best money you have ever spent.
I’m Going to Disney World
February 13th, 2012Believe it or not, I do take the occasional vacation to spend uninterrupted time with my family. The latest trip is to Disney, as I have children of that age. Throughout the process of planning, I was struck by what I could learn about running Yager Esthetics from the Disney experience.
First of all, the website was a great way to see the offerings, get information about the options available, and see photos. It even helped to find out how to get there. This is all done in an attractive and user friendly manner. The www.dryager.com website strives to do the same thing. I wish I could put pricing in as Disney does to offer a quote with all options, but this is against the code of ethics of ASPS.
The customer service, both over the phone and in person, is superb. They are friendly, helpful, and professional. The message on hold is also useful. You feel like they care. This is also done at Yager Esthetics. From the first call, to the appointment welcome, and through the process, we strive for excellence.
The staff and locations are well trained and well maintained, and cleanliness is paramount. Everything is done in a thoughtful and professional manner. Lastly, people leave happy and encourage others to visit. Word of mouth is the most common form of referral. Disney or Yager, that is true.
Why You Can Not Have Plastic Surgery The Day After A Consult
February 8th, 2012Being a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in private practice in New York City since 1997, I have had the good fortune to build a good reputation, expand my office twice, and be blessed with a vibrant and busy practice. Unfortunately for new patients, this sometimes means waiting a while for a consult appointment, and then waiting for the surgical date as well. Just like a great restaurant, reservations need to be made in advance in order to insure you get the date you are looking for.
At Yager Esthetics, I used to have slower periods where it was easy to get in, but fortunately for me, we maintain a steady patient flow which still increases. To ease congestion, I have expanded consult appointment slots, hired a Nurse Practitioner to help with patient care, and quadrupled my office space. But still, some patients are disappointed that they cannot have surgery a day or a week after the consult.
What you must realize is that a lot of planning goes in to each surgery. I have to reserve your time in my AAAASF Ambulatory Surgery Center, schedule the anesthesiologist and staff, insure enough time for you to get your preoperative testing done, and in some cases see your primary care doctor and get a clearance letter. You need a preoperative visit to read the consent forms, review your labs, and answer all of your questions. I have to order the right bra/girdle/implant you may need, and not overbook my surgery day so that I am fresh and clear for each procedure.
If you have a vacation planned, make sure to come at least several months before that time, especially if it is a holiday weekend, so you do not get shut out. My Patient Coordinators work very hard to make you happy and accommodate your requests, but we will never do anything to diminish our standard of care or the results that I expect.
Plan ahead, make your reservation, and we will give you the best plastic surgery experience possible.
Traveling to New York for Plastic Surgery
January 30th, 2012Since opening Yager Esthetics in 1997, I have focused on the education and safety of the Hispanic community with regards to cosmetic plastic surgery. I have been fortunate to build a thriving practice in New York City’s Washington Heights community, and develop a good reputation in my field. Through interviews on television, newspaper and magazine articles, as well as internet articles and blogs, I get more and more inquiries from around the US and from other countries. Many want to come to NYC and have plastic surgery with me, so I thought I might address the pros and cons.
I have many patients who live in New York, but want to travel to other countries for surgery. The main reason is saving money. I always caution them about making sure you know the training and safety record of the doctor, making sure proper testing is done, that they can stay longer than anticipated if a complication arises, and that they know the emergency plan of the doctor. By that, I mean if a strange allergy occurs, or a complication that needs hospitalization or advanced care, how do they get to a qualified center quickly and who pays these costs? Even if your surgeon is fantastic, things happen that are not the doctor’s fault, and you need to think of all situations. With a well trained surgeon, in an accredited center with a well qualified anesthesiologist, there is little if any savings when travel is factored in.
These same considerations must be explained to patients who travel to Yager Esthetics. They need to have a place to stay during recovery, and a plan for staying longer if anything should happen that is out of the ordinary. Medical insurance which covers you for this procedure in New York is helpful. My office is literally across the street from New York Presbyterian Hospital, so getting there is easy. In today’s modern society, with email and phone, most details such as fees, time of surgery, and health can be assessed before travel. When you meet me and see my center, just as in any doctor’s office, you and I must feel comfortable with each other before we proceed.
While I am flattered when anyone chooses me to help them achieve their cosmetic plastic surgery goals, when people fly in from other states or countries the compliment is also much appreciated. Usually, excellent Board Certified Plastic Surgeons exist in all states, and I encourage you to seek local options if you feel they are equivalent. If you have your heart set on Yager Esthetics, we will do everything possible to make the process safe and easy.
Plastic Surgery Will Not Make You Happy
January 23rd, 2012The great majority of my patients who do cosmetic plastic surgery are extremely pleased with the results. I strive to perform the correct operation safely, and to deliver the promised result or better every time. As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in private practice since 1997, I have had the good fortune to build a very busy practice, Yager Esthetics, which is 100% focused on cosmetic plastic surgery. I do pride myself on excellent results, and try to make every patient happy. I will tell you that this is impossible.
Plastic surgery can make you look better; it can correct developmental problems, and even reconstruct defects caused by accidents or other surgery. What it cannot do is make an unhappy person into a happy one. It is my job to try and figure out if my patient is seeking cosmetic changes for personal satisfaction, or if it is an attempt to try to cure underlying relationship issues or depression.
I had a patient the other day who was unhappy with the result of a breast surgery. On examination, it was a beautiful result. We talked about her desire to be larger, and she went to speak to my patient coordinator. It turned out that her husband was leaving her, which made her feel unattractive. Instead of dealing with the relationship problem, she chose to lay blame on the surgery.
Ladies, the only way to be happy with the results of plastic surgery is to do it for yourself. If you think it will change the way your spouse or boyfriend behaves towards you, you are most likely wrong. Even if this does make him feel differently about you, do you really want a man who is only interested in your appearance?