about face: mental health + the cosmetic controversy

by Hayley Hill

Seeking solace for what ails us through cosmetic fixes is not a one-size-fits-all solution and may result in disappointment or worse. Local cosmetic surgeon Dr. James Koehler of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery cuts through the confusion of when it can work and when it can hurt.

When it comes to feeling good, many turn to aesthetic and surgical options, as looking good can certainly benefit how we feel about ourselves. In a world that’s seemingly addicted to youth, global forecasts for anti-aging markets project reaching more than $421 billion by 2030. Considering a majority of these projections are related to cosmetic surgical procedures, we wanted to dive deeper, as it gets particularly interesting when mental health factors are thrown into the mix (paired with the recent findings regarding the effects of social media images on the brain).

As it turns out, Dr. Koehler has a lot to say about this topic. For those that know him, you’d likely agree he’s a mega-talent and a knowledgeable thought leader. However, most may not realize that he takes the mental health of his patients very seriously, too. Grabbing our attention, Dr. Koehler adds, “Cosmetic surgery is an incredible option for those invested in their mental and physical health who, despite their best efforts, can’t achieve their desired results. For example, a client committed to fitness that can’t lose a tummy bulge or lift their breasts after childbirth no matter what they do that wants surgery for themselves versus a client wanting to fix a relationship with breast implants is very different. I have to manage expectations because a patient may experience disappoint and worsening mental health issues post-surgery if they’re trying to fix an internal issue with an external solution.

It’s clear that Dr. Koehler has likely heard and seen it all. “Naturally, I believe in giving yourself an edge to look and feel better, but I can’t emphasize enough how vital the doctor/patient relationship is,” he says. “With so many nonsurgical treatments and technologies continuously launching, patients need a good doctor to navigate what will and won’t work for them. Just because someone or something looks great on social media, that doesn’t mean it will produce the same results for you. Results are as individualized as the patients. As a surgeon, I have to ask questions like, ‘Will this treatment reposition a client’s muscles?’ or ‘Will it tighten their skin and muscles in the exact spot necessary?’ and more. Looking at before and after pics on Instagram can be misleading because our bodies vary and that can lead to different results.”

Digging in, he adds, “While people are looking for treatments that are inexpensive, effective, and have no risk or downtime, some nonsurgical aesthetic services are truly effective. However, evaluating them is a big job. Just because a new device or treatment gets FDA approval doesn’t mean there aren’t risks or that they’ll work for everyone. Trust me, if that magic bullet existed we’d all know about it. While surgery carries more risk, it offers better and more permanent results, as each surgery is customized for each patient’s individualized issues and needs. Cost-wise, it’s often less expensive in the long run as well. Many clients come to us post-trendy treatments they chose to do elsewhere after being let down to have us do it the right way.”

Understanding cosmetic procedures can’t (and won’t) fix mental health issues, Dr. Koehler adds, “I attribute much of my success to being engaged in life-long learning, which has not only benefited my patients and practice, but has enabled me to educate other doctors from around the world. For more than 10 years, I’ve been chosen to teach and lecture due to my level of experience and continuous education. While a bit graphic, it’s been an honor to be a hand-picked faculty member to teach a rare course in advanced face lift techniques in St. Louis where cadavers are used to allow some of the world’s best cosmetic surgeons hands-on training in the latest techniques. Obviously, this is a much better option to perfecting skills versus doing it on actual patients. However, few courses like this exist, and it’s typically waitlisted as cosmetic surgery is still all about technique. There are so many patient nuances, and surgeons have to know how to treat those differences. At the end of the day, it comes down to practice and constantly evolving and learning,” Dr. Koehler concludes.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery

7541 Cipriano Court Fairhope, AL

251.929.8921

EasternShorePlasticSurgery.com