September is my birthday month. Although my day of birth is September 19th, I love to celebrate throughout the entire month with dinners, and lunches with friends and family. Last year I had to pivot to Zoom celebrations. Regardless of the method, I am a big-time celebrator of life, love, and yes, birthdays.
I read somewhere that September is also International Self-Care Awareness & Self Improvement Month – who knew? It’s good to have a month to remind us to take better care of ourselves both emotionally and physically. As my birthday rolls around each year, I spend time reflecting on self-love, self-worth, self-care, and my personal development.
Twelve years ago, I published my first book on menopause and launched Menopause Mondays®at EllenDolgen.com. I lent my voice to other trailblazers working to break the negative stigma associated with perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Reaching millions of women (and men who care), we encouraged women across the globe to come out of the shadows and get the help they need and deserve.
NOW IT IS TIME TO BREAK THE NEGATIVE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH COSMETIC SURGERY!! I am not ashamed to share that the gift I am giving myself for my 68th birthday is a face rejuvenation by Dr. Amir Karam in San Diego– called Vertical Restore ™.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), almost 18 million people underwent surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the United States in 2018. There is a difference between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery focuses on body enhancement. In contrast, plastic surgery reconstructs body parts that have sustained damage due to disease, burns, or trauma. I tried to find a statistic on how many women are open about having had cosmetic surgery. I couldn’t find a stat. Could the reason be that women are still ashamed?
I am going to share my journey to help others emerge from the shadows of yet another negative sigma we impose upon ourselves. I have spent years researching board-certified plastic surgeons, looking at their before and after photos, and finally settled on a surgeon that I feel most comfortable with. Dr. Karam is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed research articles, over 25 surgical textbook chapters on facial plastic surgery, and has co-authored his own surgical textbook, Rejuvenation of the Aging Face.
Post-surgery, I will be taken care of by Kelly Greytok who is a plastic surgery recovery nurse. Be sure to check out her Plastic Surgery Recovery Guide. It is amazingly helpful!
Having a facelift is a huge decision and one I have wrestled with for 10+ plus years. Every time the desire arose, I would admonish myself -push my desires away and judge my feelings negatively.
I am stepping over the line of shame, fear, and worry and doing something for myself that I have wanted to do for quite some time, regardless, of what anyone else thinks!
Let’s throw convention to the wind and have an open and honest discussion about cosmetic surgery. My goal is to inform and give women a voice to do whatever they need to feel good about themselves and live their best life.
I will be posting updates of my face rejuvenation on my Menopause Mondays on Instagram. STAY TUNED FOR MY UPDATES AND FACELIFT POSTS AND INSTAGRAM. WATCH MY PROGRESS.
I am deeply thankful to all of you for being part of the effort that busted down the stigma of menopause. I look forward to sharing my journey and your continued support as we tackle this other age-related stigma!!
Count down 16 days to the lift!
Remember: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN.
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*EllenDolgen.com does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about any tests, studies, practices, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, healthcare providers, physicians, or medical institutions that may be mentioned or referenced.
