Am I too old to have plastic surgery?

Many seniors, particularly those past retirement, feel that plastic surgery is not worthwhile. Comments such as “I don’t need to impress anyone” or “I’m too old for plastic surgery”, are heard all too frequently. However, advancing chronologic age alone is not a contraindication to certain types of plastic surgery. Physiologic age (including the number and severity of any pre-existing medical condition) as well as overall health and fitness are much more important in determining ones eligibility for surgery of any type, including plastic surgery.

Although technically feasible and appropriate in some circumstances, it’s true that procedures such as breast augmentation and liposuction do not have a great demand in the over 65 crowd. However, conditions such as facial skin cancer, drooping eyelids that obstruct vision, chronic wounds and pinched nerves are all very common in this age group. In most instances, procedures performed to correct these conditions are not considered cosmetic in nature and therefore, are covered by health insurance.

Many older women, who may have osteoporosis, also suffer from neck, shoulder and back pain. They experience significant relief from having a breast reduction to ease their symptoms. Plastic Surgeons also perform many hand surgery procedures to treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome which causes hand numbness and pain. Drooping eyelids are a huge concern for seniors because their eyelids hang down so far that they can obstruct vision. A simple test can confirm this obstruction and corrective eyelid surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis.

In fact, most plastic surgery procedures are done on an outpatient basis and require only mild sedation and local anesthesia at the site of surgery. As seniors age, they seek to maximize their quality of life despite the body’s aging processes. When considering plastic surgery, or indeed any cosmetic procedure, be sure to select a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).   As a board certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of clinical practice experience and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (The Mark of Distinction in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery® ASAPS), Dr. Robert Kimmel welcomes the opportunity to help you achieve your goals and enjoy a happier, more confident lifestyle.

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Click here to learn more about Dr. Kimmel and his training and credentials or to learn more about why it is important to choose a board certified plastic surgeon.

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