By Dr. Glenn M. Davis
The best plastic surgeons are almost universally perfectionists. After all, that’s a big part of what makes us so motivated to help our patients with their personal transformations. Our patients want to see results that match their personal ideal. But are these ideals always realistic? Is “perfect” really possible?
Nature Is Asymmetrical
Practically all men and women have naturally asymmetrical features, even if the difference is so minimal as to be imperceptible to the outside observer. No man’s eyebrows are quite even, and no woman’s breasts are precisely the same size and shape. Yet, some people considering cosmetic surgery expect it to create exact symmetry, and may feel disappointed in their results if even a slight variance is still seen.
This is not to say that cosmetic surgery can’t dramatically improve visible asymmetry, because it absolutely can. Breast augmentation is often performed using implants of slightly different sizes in order to compensate for any natural variance and better create breasts that are a more similar size and shape. Liposuction may remove a little less fatty tissue from one side of the waistline and a little more from the other in order to ensure smooth, even body contours.
When looking at the big picture, though, it’s important to listen to that old saying, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” After surgery, it’s often good advice to enjoy all the elements that work well rather than fixating on a slight imperfection, especially since even the tiniest blemish always looms larger in your own eyes than anyone else’s. Humans aren’t perfect, and that’s why realistic expectations of cosmetic surgery should focus on aesthetic enhancement rather than perfection.
Dr. Glenn M Davis knows that not every patient has the same goals, and applies his years of experience and extensive education to create results that are personal and natural. Focusing mainly on facial plastic surgery procedures in the Raleigh, NC area, Dr. Davis also offers a selection of enhancements for the body and breasts, including abdominoplasty, liposuction, and combination breast lift and augmentation.
Dr. Davis received his medical doctorate from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and trained in general surgery at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. After refining and focusing his surgical technique in a plastic surgery residency at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk, VA, Dr. Davis developed his skills as Assistant Chief of Plastic Surgery at the National Naval Medical Center. Dr. Davis is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is committed to utilizing the most up-to-date and successful techniques for each of his patients, and serves in leadership roles in multiple local and national plastic surgery organizations. A past president of 3 medical surgical organizations including the Raleigh Academy of Medicine, Dr. Davis has also chaired a number of committees for the American Society of Plastic surgeons, and continues to serve as Clinical Associate PRofessor of Plastic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
