Reconstructing Teeni - Phase I, Part II
Posted on August 21, 2008 - Filed Under Reconstructing Teeni
Note: This is a continuation of a series begun here. There is now a category for this in the Tea Room Subjects Box.
Next on my list was a female plastic surgeon. I called her office and made a consultation appointment with her.
In the time between my phone call to make the appointment and the actual appointment, I got a mailing from her office advertising all the lovely cosmetic plastic surgeries and enhancements to my physical appearance to which I could avail myself through her office. TGH immediately saw this as not a good sign.
Maybe they should separate the two types of plastic surgeries. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries maybe just do not belong lumped together, even though plastic surgeons are aptly qualified to perform each of them. Maybe they should choose one avenue and stick to that or have separate offices for each. I just don’t know. But something seems really off about it.
My desire for plastic surgery is to get back to some sort of normalcy, to be able to wear normal clothes and bras, not special ones designed to hold a prosthetic breast. So I don ‘t have to worry every time I bend over that someone can see down my shirt and know my medical history. I think there is a big difference between someone like myself and let’s say, a teenager who is unhappy with the way her perfectly functioning nose looks or who desires to have “augmentation” or “enhancements” to something she already has, if you know what I mean. I’m not being nasty about it, just saying that there is a difference in my opinion.
So I thought about it and I do think it was kind of insulting to get that mailing and it made me wonder what the focus of this place might really be. It’s amazing to me that they just took my name and immediately added it to a mailing list when I hadn’t even been into see the doctor yet and that they would assume I’d be interested in so many vanity procedures.
Lest you get the wrong idea, I am in no way slamming the procedures or the people who have the procedures done – who knows, I may at some future time want a little nip and tuck done myself. But at this point I think there is a big difference between the types of surgeries and the reasons behind them, and I guess I would have expected a little sensitivity in that area. To be honest, if I were going in for a cosmetic job, I’d be slightly embarrassed and ashamed to be sitting next to someone in the waiting room who was there for something reconstructive. I think I’d feel a bit shallow, which is why I like the separate offices idea. But maybe that’s just me.
Anyway, tune in next time to see how the appointment went.
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26 Responses to “Reconstructing Teeni - Phase I, Part II”
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as soon as I read the first sentence I said “uhoh.” I hope it goes well. I also agree that there should be a separation there.
You know me too well, already Calamity! LOL.
I agree, it makes it seem as though reconstruction isn’t something to take seriously.
Thank you! **gives you a hug for your understanding** That’s exactly what I think I was trying to say.
I’m not too surprised abt the glossy ads and/or target mkts. It IS a business and not many are too sophisticated (or care) to niche it up precisely even if the technology is available… Like a checkbox that references the inquiry type matching to the first mailed piece of mktg material. A nice ‘we care’ thank you letter might have been better?
Oh, C - they should SO hire you! You know, I understand the marketing thing too - I’m sure it is big business, but that tiny checkbox would have made them look a lot different in my eyes. After all, they gather info from you when you call to make the appointment, so right then and there they would have known what type of inquiry it was and that should have directed their response.
It was a little insensitive for them to send such a thing to you. But as a marketing admin, I can see how it got sent to you. You have to realize that while you think there is a difference, people who are not sensitive to reconstruction may not see the difference. Plus, for plastic surgery offices, cosmetic surgery is there big bread-winner.
I agree it did lack sensitivity, and they should keep a database that designates whether people come in for giggles or for real reconstruction.
Hi MJ! I did some time in marketing myself so I really do understand how it could have happened and I realize that the vanity part of the business is their big money maker. And you are right - people who are not sensitive to reconstruction maybe won’t see a difference between the two types of surgery. I understand that too. But THAT is one of the OFFERINGS at this place. This is what they DO!!! If anyone should be sensitive it should be THEM!!! I guess that is part of my point. THEY SHOULD be sensitive to it. Let’s hope some good comes out of all this.
BTW - I’m not yelling at you here - the caps are just me stressing those words.
I just realized that it probably looks like I’m really overreacting to this whole advertisement thing they sent me but just so you all know, there is more to this story which I haven’t posted yet. Hopefully it will be more fun for you to read than it was for me to live through.
~Teeni
I was under the impression that plastic surgeons focus in both areas. I think they try to address those who seek reconstruction and those who seek cosmetic enhancements. I would just wait and see how the visit goes. Well, you are doing that.
.
Out here there are a lot of surgeons who do each focus on both areas - I’m thinking it is because some reconstructions - the ones using implants - are probably very similar to breast augmentations. And yeah, I’ve already been to the consultation but am just posting about it now.
Btw, I did not hit it off with my one and only plastic surgeon appt to inquire about breast reconstruction. lol I really felt out of place. But for me it was more that I just was really “ok” as I was but certainly don’t fault anyone who wants to do something.
I can totally understand your feeling okay as is. And you know, I actually might have been okay myself if both breasts had been removed. Then I actually may not care so much about getting reconstructed, because then I’d at least have been symmetrical. But as it stands, unfortunately, I have a C-cup breast size and now that one is missing, the difference between the two sides of me is quite great and so the feeling of being a freak is quite intense. Although physically, I feel fine so I’m fortunate that way. I should probably do a post on that sometime.
Oops. I just missed your last comment.
LOL.
I will try to log in later tonight if I’m up to it. I’ve been under the weather the last couple of days.
Yeah, I agree that they should be separate. My mum had a breast reduction done for medical/health reasons (not cosmetic) and her surgeon only did breast reconstruction for those reasons, not cosmetic. You totally have to trust your (and TGH’s) instincts, so if it feels a bit “off” then I would definitely bypass this place and keep looking. The right surgeon IS out there!
No, you’re right, honey. That is just plain tacky. You hadn’t even become a client/patient of thiers yet and they were marketing to you. No excuse for such insensitivity - I don’t think. Will you still meet with the surgeon?
Perhaps when you call for consultations you could mention you don’t want your name on any mailing lists at this point? I don’t know.
Just seemed pretty cold to me.
Love & hugs,
Annie
It does make you wonder when the first thing they do with your info is put you on a mailing list. And really, asking them not to put me on one when I make my initial phone call to them isn’t even something that entered my mind. This was an eye opening experience for me. Thanks Annie. Love and hugs right back at ya!
I see what you are saying, they need separate mailing lists at the very least! I can understand why they have the same office for both types of patients- it is for the doctors sake.
Choosing to solely take reconstruction surgeries would sure limit the number of people and amount of money one could make.
Too much of health care is about the doctors and their needs, the patients and their needs should come first. Even if it is just about being sensitive to a patients situation.
Yeah, you are right - I don’t really expect them to have separate offices, that would be too expensive and unreasonable. But separate waiting rooms possibly and separate mailings definitely! It just seems like everyone is out to make a buck immediately - like they have to make a fortune off of each person and right away. Does nobody have any patience anymore or have any sense of ethics? Grrr. But I guess some people do go into practice solely to make money and not necessarily to help others. Sad, but true. Thanks for your kind words.
I hope the appointment goes well. One can always hope.
I am always hopeful. Sometimes my hope gets tossed down the well, burned to dust of char and stomped on, but I always hang onto some of it. LOL.
Sorry you haven’t been feeling well ((hug))
Thanks! (((hugs back)))
Unfortunately, I think the majority of plastic surgeons are out there to make the “big bucks” (I blame it on Dr. 90210). And they are probably figuring…”Hey, if she’s willing to have this procedure done, maybe we can also sell her on this…” You know, a twofer? (Buy one, get one). Ugh.
Just go with your gut, honey. It will guide you in the right direction!
Oh yeah, I hear you - that is surely where they are getting big bucks. And I don’t blame them for marketing, I just think they need to be more sensitive about who they market to and how. Sometimes you don’t even have to market - if they performed a good surgery on me, I’d definitely be back to them for other stuff if I wanted it, you know?
I can’t imagine an office visit filled with those teenagers would make you feel any more comfortable.
Yeah, darn them and their perky little boobs too. LOL. I don’t hold it against the patients though. I just think maybe the waiting room could be more in tuned to both types of surgeries. I mean, if the surgeon doesn’t WANT to perform reconstructions then they shouldn’t advertise it on their web site, right?
Sounds like their literature needs a ‘lumpectomy’ but this time to remove the important stuff from the ‘cancer’ of the purely cosmetic.
Yes, that does indeed sound a bad sign if they haven’t the sensitivity to differentiate between need and desire on a patient’s part. I hope you pointed this out to them. Think it might be anough to make me cancel the appointment in your shoes indeed, but only you can judge how you feel, and they could produce wonderful results in spite of their tactlessness.
LOL - yes it does need a lumpectomy!
I tried to ignore the whole advertisement thing before the appointment because I figured that the surgeon may not even know that I received it or was put on a list - I wasn’t going to blame her for a mistake or bad judgement on someone else’s part. That, of course, won’t stop me from complaining about it here on my blog though. 
you’re onto something here, i agree. i think they should definately be separated offices.
I understand I may be asking a lot for separate offices, but I keep thinking of my - don’t laugh - my veterinarian’s and how they have a separate door for cats/birds/small animals and then another one for dogs. They both lead to separate sections of a big waitinging area. Something like that would be cool. I have so many good ideas - everyone should just consult me before they even make a move. LOL.
well, Please dont do it until yoy are confortable with a surgeon! I think a prothestic is better than a messed up boob right? i love you and pray that it works out for you!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Kaylee - yes you are right. Don’t worry - I’m not going to do anything until I’m comfortable - it is too important to rush into.
i would surmise it common amongst reconstructive clinics
granted i have no first hand familiarity with such
medicine being primarily an industry of profit
they may perhaps perform cosmetic to be able to perform reconstructive. i would imagine that cosmetic has a much higher volume and higher profit margin.
tis the elephant in the corner
and no, i wouldn’t say i think poetically. i may have poetic thoughts on occasion but by no means do the winds of my mind whistle while they work.
of course some of those (or allot) are broken winds
It’s sad how I’m just realizing how medicine really is an industry of profit. I’d like to think there are still plenty of doctors who go into it at least make money AND help people though. And I think you are right that cosmetic has a higher volume and higher profit. Maybe it should be more like car insurance in the states where they can keep asking for more from the insurance company so you at least can feel like you are getting a good job because they are getting paid for it.
I dunno.
Thanks for answering my nosy question. It just seems like your words come so easily to you. LOL. I guess I’ll never live that one down (broken winds).
DEFINITELY be comfortable with the surgeon you pick, if you do. Too many people get intimidated by doctors, and let them run the show even though its something they really havent decided they want.
Thanks, Slyde. I will. I don’t feel a need to rush but I would like to get it done sometime while I feel I’m still relatively young and can put it to use in some slinky clothes. LOL.
You are being featured on Five Star Friday:
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Awesome!!!!!!! Hey everyone - check out Schmutzie’s Five Star Friday link here and see all the great posts! Mine’s there too!
I think it’s a matter of respect personally.
This would piss me off as well were I in that position.
These places assume they know what people want when in reality they only speak to a small percentage of the population.
Sorry you had to receive that kind of “spam” in your mailbox.
I’ll be watching for the next installment.
Keep the faith, T
Prayers your way. As always . . . (whether you want ‘em or not :0)
~m
~m
Thanks so much for your kind words, Michael. You are right - there needs to be respect going both ways. As for the prayers - I want ‘em. I definitely want ‘em. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I despise the medical industry on regular occasions.
Hi Anja! Welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room. I figured you’d get here sometime - we keep running into each other on our mutual buddies’s sites so I finally stopped lurking on yours. LOL. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone.
somehow, i still feel exploited/humiliated at even simple physical exams. so i’m there with you on the “off” side. you just feel it.
I don’t feel as exploited when I’m with a doctor I’ve come to know and trust as I do when it is a stranger so I think some uncomfortableness is natural. I would just expect them to understand that a little bit, ya know? LOL. I’m just used to wearing clothes the first time I meet people.
Hi Teeni, sorry it’s taken me so long to get caught up.
I agree with you, they are very different and I can see why it would be disconcerting to recieve a mailing like that. Despite the fact that the same surgeons can perform both types of procedures, the people who have each are doing so for very different reasons.
I see you posted about the visit with her, I am curious to see how it turned out. I hope you find the perfect surgeon for you
Thanks, Kami and me too! I don’t give up easily.
You’re right, that can be pretty awkward for both types of patients…and with the surgeon knowing your reason for wanting an appointment, it’s highly insensitive…seems these days your name is entered in a computer and just by default you are put on mailing lists…but ya, that doesn’t solve the seperate office thing…I will read on to part III now!
I think both types of patients deserve respect and dignity. And I realize separate offices don’t really make sense, although it would be ideal. But separate treatment is definitely in order I think.