People often ask me why I chose the name Luxxery for mymedical boutique. The idea of Luxxery is simple. We offer an absolutelyluxurious experience. Furthermore, the slightly skewed double X’s in our logo capturesomething fundamental about my approach to making my clients happy. Theyrepresent the double image people have of themselves. The relationship betweena person’s self-image and their reflection or body image is what makes themwant to stand in front of my “Magic Mirror.” Plastic surgery is driven by this disconnectbetween what we see in our reflection and what we would like to see.
The FX Networks air a popular show called Nip Tuck about twoplastic surgeons who share a practice. They start episodes with a consultationthat begins with the question: “Tell me … what do you hate about yourself?”
Clearly this is a fictitious approach no professional wouldtake. Instead, I ask my patients the following:
“If you were standing in front of a magic mirror, and couldchange anything about yourself; what would it be?”
This starts the dialogue. It’s imperative that I conceptuallysee what she wants, not just hear it. If I cannot see it, I simply cannotdeliver it. Today, this “seeing” is more difficult than it may sound. Women spenda lot of time researching on-line exactly which procedure they think will fixtheir issue. No amount of research can replace a face-to-face consultation witha board certified plastic surgeon and a mirror.
I do not have a magic mirror and I make that clear, but I dohave magic markers and a pencil. Though it may sound strange, I often draw onthe patient, and through this process she can see on her own skin where I willbe making changes. I then draw the before and after and hand her a copy of mydrawing. At times, the process allows the patient a sense of optimism, knowingthat the marks and drawings were made by a plastic surgeon who’s an artist, andunderstands how to communicate with her in order to give her a great result.
As a man dedicated to the art of plastic surgery, I try to makesure that once I have worked on her, the image she sees in that mirror conformsto what she wants. Allow me to tell a fairy tale to illustrate how I feel I understandwhat women want.
Once upon a time, a young prince lost a war with aneighboring king and was condemned to die. Appearing in the King’s court theprince was then offered a deal. Tell me what do women want, and I’ll spare yourlife. The prince then asked; but how will you know if it’s the right answer? Theking turned to the women around him and said; I’ll know. The women, finding theprince so charming, all smiled as they nodded in unison.
The prince hurried off to ask everyone in his principality,and no one could answer the fatal question. He was told of a witch, who livedin the forest, who just may be able to give him the answer. He was warned thatshe’ll extract a heavy price. He rode his horse into the forest, and had todrag his spooked horse to the miserable witch’s hut. He tied up his horse andentered the cold damp and smelly hut through a creaky door and in a corner sat thewitch…warts and all. She pointed a gnarled long finger at him, and proclaimed;I know why you came. Startled he said: How? She said; I’m a witch I knoweverything and I can do anything I want to do. He asked her, and she looked at themagic mirror at her side and said; I’ll tell you, but you must marry me. He washesitant, concluded that it was better than death, and agreed. She then said;women want to control their own destiny.
He galloped off to the Kings court and before the clock struckmidnight he blurted out:
“Women want to be in control of their destiny!”
The women of the court all nodded, and his life was spared. Backat the hut, he was surprised to find a beautiful woman in front of her magicmirror. He was delighted. How did you do that? He asked.
“I’m a witch,” she responded. Then she added:
“I can look like this for you here in private in the hut, orin public, you must choose.”
He thought for a moment and said:
“No … you choose.”
She transformed herself into a beautiful princess inside andout side her hut.
Many chose to look the same way they do in front of themirror, but for the ones who would like to change a few things aboutthemselves, I offer educated, confidential and informed advice. I then completethe process of transformation by immersing them in everything that pertains tobeauty--all under one roof. That’s the concept of Luxxury:
I offer patients transformation and a sense of well beingwhen they look in the mirror.
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