To Grow Old Gracefully or Not?

For anyone who has found themselves in a hypercritical situation due to their employment may well appreciate the sentiments to follow.

To understand my perplexion you first have to learn that I come from a family of shall we call them “grow old gracefullies” you know the sort the type of people who will not entertain anything un-natural botox and breast enlargements are definitely out, you should be happy with what you were given.

Well my dilemma began when I became the Practice Manager of Selston Surgery, a semi rural village Doctors in Nottinghamshire, not the sort of village where you would normally expect to find an advanced medical laser and cosmetic clinic. Dr Bassi “the boss” has been the village GP for about 20 years and during this time developed a keen interest in cosmetic treatments.

My understanding is that this interest grew from the needs of his patients and out of frustration with the services available for them in terms of aesthetics. There are so many people who are un-happy with the way they look, I am not just talking about those that make the odd comment of “I wish I didn’t have wrinkles” but there are many who have become so depressed with their appearance that they won’t leave he house and are unable to lead a full life because of their insecurities.

You may ask what could be so bad “as I did” but what is a simple birth mark or port wine stain to one can prevent a person from going on holiday because they are to conscious to wear a t-shirt or swimwear, or the young minded person who has a heavily aged face and hands who becomes depressed yearning for their youthful looks, not to mention the acne scared young adult who fears socialising.

My experiences have now showed me that there is a need for cosmetic treatments and if a person chooses laser liposuction to remove their fat, they can come to a safe medical environment and undergo a procedure, without going through major surgery, and when they return for their follow up appointments, the confidence and self esteem have greatly improved.

Cosmetic treatments are not just about treating the skin and the physical appearance of a person, its about the person as a whole, who are they, who do they want to be and how do they want to feel. As my Grandmother would have said “It’s good for the soul”.

So, should you grow old gracefully, yes if you want to; but if you feel you need a bit of fat removal here, a breast enlargment there, your skin tightening to look younger or have hair growing where you do want it to grow and would like in removing, then why not.

By Dawn Meakin