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The ability to improve, augment or, in some cases, repair due to tragic injury are all examples of the wonderful branch of the Cosmetic Surgery industry. While these procedures become more commonly discussed online, surgeons like Dr. Martin Jugenburg are trying their best to also bring awareness to the seriousness of them.
Dr. Martin Jugenburg is the founder of one of the top plastic surgery clinics. Globally recognized for his dedication to transparency and keeping it real, Dr. Jugenburg put together a team of world class surgeons who’s personalised approach delivers world class aesthetic results. “It is unfair to patients to pretend that plastic surgery is all glitz and glam”, Dr. Jugenburg says, “These are real medical procedures that need the same gravity, understanding, and research as any other surgery.”
Dr. Jugenburg is referring to the fact that when it comes to plastic surgery, we’re used to seeing beautiful celebrities and Instagram models showing off their hourglass curves or plump lips without a glance into the recovery, or potential complications. On the flip side of this, when the media does discuss unfortunate cases that result in unsightly outcomes, they are often made light of. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as botched plastic surgery. In a nutshell, a “botch” is where the result is either undesired or results in a patient being in worse condition than before undergoing cosmetic surgery. While rare, these plastic surgery disasters are about as tragic as you can imagine.
The term has been made famous by the show Botched, which features celebrity surgeons Dr. Paul Nassif and Dr. Terry Dubrow. Each episode, patients who are suffering the consequences of botched procedures come to see them for revisions to reverse issues that range from excessive scarring to tragic deformities. While the show makes these surgeries seem like “quick fixes”, in reality botched procedures can be cause for serious concern.
A quick Google search will unlock a world of cosmetic train wrecks and unfortunate images to view at your own risk. But, these images and horror stories serve as informative literature and visual windows of what to avoid, as well as what to look out for when planning to visit your own plastic surgeon. It’s likely that most out there are more than familiar with at least one cosmetic blunder. But, for the most outrageous, or egregious examples of botched plastic surgery, look no further than Hollywood. Donatella Versace, Jocelyn Wildenstein, and Michael Jackson are three examples of cosmetic surgery gone wrong.
In the world of modern medicine, how can this kind of thing happen? These less than desired outcomes can be caused by negligence on the part of the surgeon, a patient ignoring recovery instructions, or in some cases just lacking the proper accommodations to perform the surgery. Fortunately, in many cases there are ways that these mistakes can be prevented. Dr. Jugenburg of the SixSurgery Clinic in Toronto is a firm believer that information and research is the best way to minimize the chances of experiencing botched procedures in the first place.
Knowledge of what to avoid is paramount when searching for the right surgeon. “When a patient understands the full scope of the procedure they’re undergoing, they can be aware of what red flags to look for”, says Dr. Jugenburg. “This is why I never hold back on the realities of plastic surgery when I share the procedures and recovery process on social media.” Dr Jugenburg and the rest of the team at SixSurgery have been using social media as a way to educate their patients for over 7 years now, and have a massive following of medical students and patients around the world.
In addition to understanding your procedure, patients should also be sifting through surgeons. Fortunately, there are tools for just such a thing. RealSelf.com provides real reviews, before and after photos, along with a list of competent, trusted surgeons at your convenience. The importance of locating a respected surgeon with whom you can build a relationship, while instilling absolute trust, is essential. A surgeon with not only the credentials, but also a well-established background and industry respect. For example, another surgeon from SixSurgery, Dr. Jacqueline Rose Makerewich of SixSurgery. She is a board certified plastic surgeon, with dual certification by both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition to providing patients with realistic expectations of procedures, Dr. Makerewich fully educates her patients during consultations while instilling the trust that 20 years and a resume that speaks for itself brings.
Another important tip: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your consultation is the best time to do this. “I love when patients come into the clinic with a list of questions about the procedure they’re having done. It shows me that they’ve done their research and are taking their health into their own hands”, Dr. Jugenburg says. When your surgical team gives you information about your procedure, take it seriously. Whether it is the paperwork outlining what to expect from your surgery, or detailed instructions about your pre operative and post operative care, read every last word and make sure you understand them. If you don’t understand something, you should be comfortable asking your surgical team for clarification. Dr. Jugenburg says, “Even though botched procedures are very rare, I sometimes see complications arise from patients not following their post-op requirements. Things like exerting yourself after surgery, not massaging liposuctioned areas properly, or taking your bandages off too early can all result in complications or ‘botched’ results.” In short, all of your instructions should be prioritized and followed strictly to ensure optimal results.
With such a large community, don’t forget to also pay it forward with a review and assist others avoid botched surgeries. It is common for people to only write reviews when they are dissatisfied, however, surgeons urge you to write reviews even with a great experience to help provide others with a clearer picture. These days you can even save time and have a review written using an AI copywriter.
With modern medicine, a mistake on behalf of mother nature, as it were, can be rectified if deemed necessary; however, a man-made blunder created while trying to improve nature’s imperfections is not only a tragedy to the individual, but the industry as well. Luckily, with meticulous research and a discerning eye, this most rare cosmetic event can be avoided.
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