In response to my earlier post about the E! series Botched; I will go into more detail on each episode that they were unable to cover because of time limits. I’ll discuss several possible other therapies as well as some of the psychology involved with these complicated folks. So, let’s begin. Episode 6 of season 1 of Botched!
Mike, Scalp Scar
Mike underwent a standard treatment in which a 1cm strip of skin was removed from the back of his scalp due to his receding hairline. Although scars are sometimes undetectable, Mike’s scar was exceptionally obvious and large, especially given his short hairstyle. Treating this can involve either removing the old scar and bringing the edges of the skin back together, or placing a balloon under the scalp, stretching out the normal skin over a few weeks to months, and then going back to the operating room to remove the scar and close the edges of the skin without any tension, thereby reducing the likelihood of the scar widening again.
According to the explanation given above, option number one is undoubtedly the simplest, but there is a chance that the scar may reopen even after it has been removed by undermining the scalp’s margins because of excessive stress. Thus, after excising the scar and sealing the skin’s margins, the surgeons decided to take the second course of action and extend out the healthy skin to ease any strain.
Michelle, Filipino Facelift
This extremely unlucky patient experienced trauma in her 20s that left the right side of her face severely disfigured, causing her right eye to sink and paralysing her from the inside out. As she grew older, she had many facelifts and even paid $200 for a new chin cleft! She wanted another facelift, so she went to visit the physicians.
Initially, I thought that in order to correct her sunken eye, she should concentrate on rebuilding the underlying facial bones. However, she mentioned to her physicians that she had had a reconstructive surgery a year prior. She appears to have taken all reasonable steps to improve that part of her face. From a cosmetic standpoint, she looked extremely excellent for her age, so I think the physicians opted against offering her another facelift.
Cynthia, a survivor of breast cancer
Cynthia had a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and she was still quite unhappy with her left breast. To enhance breast symmetry, she had reconstruction with a left breast implant and a right breast implant. She mentioned to the physicians during her appointment that her previous plastic surgeon had assured her that her breasts would look fantastic and be scar-free.
She told me that she would not have any scars following a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, even though I find it hard to believe the doctor said such a thing. Reasonable expectations are the key concern here, although there is always the possibility of cosmetic difficulties with breast reconstruction following cancer. The patient has to realise that her natural breasts were given to her by God. Sometimes the original is not as near to the surgeon’s and patient’s wishes as they would want.
The main focus of tonight’s presentation is communication between the doctor and the three patients. Effective communication is crucial and may make all the difference, whether prior doctors were not as good at describing the dangers involved in surgery or patients were simply told what they wanted to hear during preoperative consultations.
