Clothing, iPad's, Smart Phones. These are things we expect to see
on the wish lists of our friends and family. But, a face lift? Yep, it seems
that cosmetic procedures have found their way into Santa's sack.
With this trend, though, comes a warning. While giving
someone a pricey surgery can be considered kind and loving, it can also come
with problematic implications. Because the choice is such a personal one,
gifting a plastic surgery procedure can be interpreted as meddling and
insulting. If you're thinking of bestowing a loved one with the gift of
physical improvement this year, make sure it will be well-received.
Gift-Giver Beware
It wasn't so long ago that plastic surgery was a hush-hush topic; something
that people did but didn't discuss. But with its rapid rise in popularity and
the openness with which many celebrities discuss the work they've had, the
stigma has been lifted. And with that lift, we've seen the fairly recent
phenomenon of giving surgeries as gifts.
Presenting significant others and family members with
cosmetic procedures has become increasingly common. And it's not unusual for
people to use the holiday season as an excuse to pay for a loved one's surgery.
This practice, however, can rub some people the wrong way.
Surprise Surgery
When it comes to buying someone else a surgery, the worst mistake is making it
a surprise. For example, giving your girlfriend a gift certificate for a
breast
augmentation can cause offense if she didn't ask for it. It would be
like giving someone a membership for a weight loss program; it sends an obvious
message that you're unhappy with their appearance. What was meant to be a
present is actually an insult.
There's really no right way to offer someone a surgery
unexpectedly. If you give a certificate for a specific procedure, it's very clear
that you're critical of that particular part of their body. And if you give an
open-ended certificate to a plastic surgeon's office, it comes across as a
general affront to their entire appearance. You might as well say, "I'd
love you more if your body were different."
The Right Way
Giving the gift of surgery is less problematic when it's on the patient's wish
list. If someone expressly asks for a surgery, then the gift can be considered
extremely generous and thoughtful. If the asker isn't able to afford the
procedure on their own, receiving it as a present can be a dream come true.
Before making a purchase, remember that the choice to have a
plastic surgery is a very personal one that should be made without the
influence of others' desires for your appearance. In fact, I make it a point to
consult patients one-on-one so that I can hear what they want for themselves,
rather than what a husband or friend might want for them.
Even in this case, though, there can be pitfalls. When
someone other than the patient pays, that person may feel that they have a role
in the decision. So, if you decide to leave a rhinoplasty under the tree, make sure the
recipient knows that the particulars are up to them.
The best possible scenario goes as follows: You are
absolutely certain that someone wants a specific procedure as a gift. Instead
of you choosing a surgeon and pre-paying, tell the recipient that the choice of
Take Shape Plastic Surgery, PA is theirs. In a consultation, the surgeon will be
able to fully inform the prospective patient about their options, the risks
involved and the expected outcomes, as well as an accurate cost. Only after
these preliminary steps, should the gift be considered.
There are certainly more conventional and less awkward gifts
than that of a plastic surgery procedure. A present should never result in hurt
feelings or compromise of one's own desires. But, if you're still thinking
about wrapping up a surgery gift certificate, make sure it's for the right
reasons.
Source: www.asps.com
