At a recent New York ‘fashion show,’ cosmetic surgeon Dr. Ramtin Kassir promoted his work by displaying 50 past patients on a catwalk. The event was intended to showcase what Dr. Kassir considers his own unique designs. While the event certainly drew attention, it also raises some ethical questions about what is appropriate when it comes to marketing cosmetic surgery.
Choosing Surgery for the Right Reasons
The choice to undergo any elective surgery is a very personal and serious one, certainly not one that should be made as casually as picking out a new dress. That’s why in consultations with my patients I try to emphasize the boost in confidence and self-esteem that comes with using cosmetic surgery to bring out the best in their bodies, and discourage the idea of chasing a trendy look.
My job as a surgeon is not to “leave my mark” on patients, but rather to recognize their natural beauty and use my eye for aesthetics and my medical training to accentuate that beauty with nuance and subtlety. It’s very important for my patients to have realistic and healthy expectations about what cosmetic surgery can do for them. Undergoing cosmetic surgery with the goal of looking like someone else, whether a fashion model, a co-worker, or a neighbor, isn’t realistic or healthy.
My work recognizes my patients’ natural beauty and then accentuates it. Through open and honest communication, a good surgeon will help patients choose the procedure that’s right for them and then deliver results they’re totally thrilled with.