Cosmetic Surgery for Dummies
Cosmetic Surgery: The 411
In the past two years, more cosmetic surgery has been performed in an office- based setting, than in the safe confines of a hospital or ambulatory surgery center combined. It was this bit of small, yet very important information that spurred board certified plastic surgeon R. Merrel Olesen, M.D. of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre and his wife, Marie Olesen, a plastic surgery consultant, to write Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies (Wiley; ISBN: 0- 7645-7835-9; 360 pages; $21.99), a consumer guide on all of the ins and outs of the plastic surgery experience.
“There have been other books on cosmetic surgery that focus heavily on the procedural side of surgery,” explained Dr. Olesen, who has been in private practice for more than 30 years and is the medical director of the nationally recognized La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre. “We wanted to zero in on what we consider to be the most important aspect of having cosmetic surgery, the decision making process.”
According to co-author, Marie Olesen, Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies explores shopping for cosmetic surgery in-depth--how to decide if cosmetic surgery is right for you and how to choose the right surgeon, staff and surgery facility that will best suit your needs, etc.
Complete with a “Shopper’s Guide” that includes a detailed point system, the book takes the mystery out of complicated and confusing subjects such as Board-Certification, scope of practice, surgery facility accreditation, and various options in cosmetic surgery, all which are vital when making a decision to undergo any type of elective surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies is divided into 5 main sections: 1) Considering Cosmetic Surgery, 2) Preparing for Cosmetic Surgery, 3) Work on Your Body, 4) Enjoying Recovery and Results, and 5) The Part of Tens. The book includes many stories from actual patients who share their cosmetic surgery experiences.
“The vast majority of cosmetic surgery patients are happy with their surgical experience, but since not all real-life stories have a fairy-tale ending, patients need to be well-informed and understand complex issues about medical specialization,” explained Dr. Olesen. “This is only one small example of where Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies is different from other books’ says Marie Olesen, “Our goal is to educate consumers and help them make the very best and safest decision that will in turn give them the best chance of a great outcome--excellent surgical results and wonderful patient experiences!”
Like all For Dummies® books, Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies highlights “The Part of Tens,” which includes “Ten (or So) Myths about Cosmetic Surgery,” “Ten Questions to Ask Yourself before Pursuing Cosmetic Surgery,” and “(Almost)
