Dr. Lee's Blog

As I have said before, my neck was a longstanding issue for me. In fact, I had a consultation last summer with a plastic surgeon in this area. I had even received a quote for the procedure under local anesthesia in his office. I spoke with my husband and he said "go for it. Whatever makes you happy. I think you are beautiful." And I guess that was enough for then because I did not jump in and schedule. I kept the information in my back pocket, but continued to concentrate on other things that made me feel smart, and competent.

Then that fateful TV taping in March...I really started to feel unhappy about how I looked. And it was not only my face that was bothering me. I really did not want to see myself in the mirror as I dressed either. I started to feel that I looked dumpy and frumpy all over. Whatever made me feel powerful and able during the day was diminished. I called the surgeon and booked a date.

I started to get excited, I started to get nervous. I did not worry so much about the procedure itself. I am not wimpy about being uncomfortable. I have had 4 babies after all. I went back to work quickly after delivering (in only 2 weeks after the birth of my first son, actually, CRAZY!) I only worried a little about becoming one of those tabloid dramas, dying in the office operating room while undergoing a purely elective procedure. After all, I had chosen a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery whose office O.R. is fully accredited. I was not meeting some shadowy figure in an airport hotel for an injection of industrial grade silicone into my body. I knew my surgeon very well professionally and admired his abilities. I was going to survive the procedure. But what if I did not get the results I wanted? I was not looking for a swan neck, I never had that before and a thin neck would not look congruous with my full face in any case. But what if it were lumpy, or uneven? I well know the limitations of liposuction, it is a procedure I myself do quite often. I was in the theater with my husband the week before the surgery, gazing at the lead actress, a full figured, full faced, pleasant looking but not overly stunning woman. Her neck was really full, not fashionable at all, but so smoooooth, no lumps or dimples or tethered skin, the postoperative changes I always refer to as the STIGMATA of liposuction. OMG, here I was ready to undergo a procedure to improve my fat neck, but even though fat, it was SMOOTH! Was I being stupid, running the risk of exchange my unappealingly large, but naturally smooth neck for a thinner, but unnatural appearing one? It was my biggest fear.

I met with my surgeon for the preoperative visit. As I encourage all my patients to do with me, I discussed my overriding concerns with him. "You will not be lumpy" he assured me. I reminded myself that I knew this surgeon's skill, which is why I chose him, and having voiced my worries, I was comforted that he knew what I wanted and knew what he was doing. Game on. One week left to go.