Jean Gore discovered that a little nip-n-tuck creates a lot of angst-n-fear.
Over the past decade, the Conyers resident has bravely endured a heart valve replacement with complications, as well as two major back surgeries to remove eight vertebrae. The surgeries were needed to treat a medical condition and relieve pain and suffering.
Still, Gore felt more nervous about having a mole removed from her side and discolored skin removed from her nose.
“When the surgery is medically necessary, you have no choice; but when you choose to have the surgery, you are ultimately responsible for the outcome,” said Gore, 63, a retired school teacher.
Each year, millions of people choose to go under the knife to improve their appearance or correct imperfections. For most, these surgeries by choice produce as much or more fear than medically necessary surgery. Many patients find themselves wrestling with unexpected apprehension and panic even during the initial consultation.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 13.1 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2010, a 5 percent increase from 2009. They included more than 11.6 cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures such as breast augmentations. (The Illinois-based organization does not track statistics by state, but more than 2.7 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the South Atlantic region which includes Georgia, compared to 3.7 million in the Mountain/Pacific region).
Elective surgery fosters competing interests. Our natural instinct for self-preservation conflicts with our desire for self-improvement, said Todd Antin, a Decatur psychiatrist who treats severe cases of anxiety. Subjecting yourself to a physical risk that you don’t have to contradicts with your natural tendency to protect yourself.
Nervousness and anxiety symptoms such as butterflies in the stomach, restlessness and general uneasiness can be treated with cognitive behavior coping skills or medication such as Xanax or Valium. When anxiety – an overreaction to a situation – limits a person’s ability to function, long-term treatment may be needed. Patients who become preoccupied with surgery or delusional, or who have unrealistic expectations, may not be approved for surgery.
About 95 percent of his patients resolve their nervousness and pre-surgery jitters after they receive counseling and coping skills, said Antin, director of behavioral health at DeKalb Medical Center.
A healthy dose of anxiety about surgery – whether elective or medically necessary – makes for a good patient, said David Whiteman, a Duluth cosmetic surgeon who performs about 230 procedures a year. Nervous patients tend to ask questions, research information and contemplate the risks.
“Anyone who shows up without some level of nervousness isn’t a great candidate,” he said. “They haven’t given any credence to the possible complications and things not going as planned.”
People who are uncomfortable with a body part and want it changed need to work up courage to expose that to a stranger, said Whiteman.
Just ask Laura Butkovich about courage. The East Atlanta woman needed a lion’s courage and 10 years to overcome a severe phobia of surgical needles.
Steadied by her husband Bruce, a shaking and trembling Butkovich entered Whiteman’s Southern Plastic Surgery Center to discuss removal of excess eyelid skin and liposuction on her neck. Her teeth chattered, her pulse pounded and she could barely put words together.
Two months later, Butkovich arrived for surgery hyperventilating and shaking, requiring sedation just to complete the pre-operation paperwork. Somehow, her desire to have surgery trumped her fears of having it done.
“It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life, but I knew how badly I wanted it,” said Butkovich, director of operations for Sixthman, an entertainment company. Previously, she received several treatments including hypnotherapy for her phobia in order to conquer the fear.
“I can’t believe I did it,” said Butkovich, 33. “It would be an immense challenge to do it again, but if there was something else I felt that strongly about I may be able to.”
Tips for Dealing with Surgery Related Anxiety
If your nerves of steel feel like marshmallows, you’re not alone. Most people feel quite a bit of anxiety about surgery whether by need or choice. Psychiatrist Todd Antin offers some coping tips:
-- Talk it out. Inform your doctor about any prior anxiety or stress related to surgery or hospitalization.
-- Get informed. Learn all you can about the condition, therapies, anesthesia, surgery, hospitalization, post-surgical care, course of recovery and financial issues.
-- Build a support team. Enlist the support of family and friends before, during and after surgery.
-- Relax, relate, release. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, guided visualization, yoga, acupressure and acupuncture. Listening to music may also help.
Source: Todd Antin, director of behavioral health at DeKalb Medical Center
2010 Top 5 Cosmetic Surgical Procedures
-- Breast augmentation
-- Nose reshaping
-- Eyelid surgery
-- Liposuction
-- Tummy Tuck
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
2010 Top 5 Cosmetic Minimally-Invasive Procedures
-- Botulinum Toxin Type A
-- Soft tissue fillers
-- Chemical peel
-- Laser hair removal
-- Microdermabrasion
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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