Articles

There's Something About Mary

November 2005

By Alison Adamo

In October 2004, Mary Elaine Orr experienced a total transformation. Even after years of extensive exercise, her flabby tummy and saggy behind showed no signs of improvement. At 51 years of age, Mary was frustrated at how her clothes fit, as well as the visible indications on her face that she was indeed aging. When she finally felt defeated by Father Time, she opted not to surrender to him but to undergo plastic surgery instead. Now, she wears her "skinny" jeans with pride, and feels great every time she looks in the mirror.

Mary met Amy M. Ortega, MD, of Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta at an event hosted by the Georgia Executive Women's Network, an organization comprised of executive-level women that promotes the professional and personal growth of its members. She immediately felt comfortable with Dr. Ortega and made an appointment to discuss the possibilities of plastic surgery.

"I expressed my concerns to Dr. Ortega, including the hump at the tip of my nose, the tired-looking eyes, and the pesky fat deposits on my lower body," recalls Mary. After their consultation, it was decided that she would undergo several procedures: liposuction of the outer thighs and posterior hips, gluteal lift, forehead lift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), blepharoplasty (upper and lower eyelids), and rhinoplasty.

Mary's procedures took place around the same time. On October 15, 2004, Dr. Ortega performed all of lower body surgeries, and on October 19, Mary underwent all facial procedures. While her recovery process was not exactly a walk in the park, the entire healing process was typical. "For the body sculpting procedures, I wore a girdle-like garment for six weeks, but after that, I was completely healed," notes Mary. "The numbness from the facial surgeries lasted longer than that of most patients. It took eight months until I had all feeling back - usually you're told to expect up to six months."

At first, Mary's family and friends were opposed to the idea of her having plastic surgery. However, after talking about it for several months, her husband finally resigned to the fact that cosmetic enhancement was inevitable. "After surgery, [my husband] was absolutely delighted with the results. I caught him looking at me one day and when I asked if something was wrong, he said, 'Nope, just enjoying the view,'' Mary says with a grin. As for the friends who once opposed Mary undergoing plastic surgery, they eventually came around after seeing the before and after photos.

To say that Mary is pleased with the results would be an understatement; she is thrilled. "I'm able to wear clothes that I haven't worn in 15 years, and it feels good. I was a slender person to begin with, so the decision to have plastic surgery wasn't a matter of losing weight—it was just a matter of not being content with the way I was looking over the years," she comments. Today, Mary is happy with her flatter tummy, smaller behind, and attractive profile.

While she may not be entirely finished with plastic surgery, Mary is satisfied for the time being. She has seriously considered a facelift, and wouldn't mind having an inner thigh lift in the future. But for now, she feels great about looking good. "It used to be that the man paid for his wife's plastic surgery, but now professional women can afford to pay for it themselves," Mary says. As a marketing executive for a high technology firm, Mary knows what she wants out of life, and with a reputable plastic surgeon by her side, she can have it all!

Physician's Perspective

Mary is a 51-year old, successful, professional woman who was seeking to improve the effects of time and gravity. She approached me with concerns regarding the proportion and shape of her nose, the tired look she was beginning to see in her eyelid area, and the effects of gravity and disproportionate distribution of fat in the abdomen, buttocks, waist, hips and thighs. After discussion and careful consideration of options, she underwent surgery in two stages: during the first stage, she had liposuction of the hips and thighs and a total lower body lift, which is a circumferential procedure including lifting and/or tightening of the buttocks, sides of the thighs, and abdomen. Several days later, she had a brow lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelids), and rhinoplasty (nasal surgery). The result is a natural, youthful looking improvement of the face and body. Her eyes are brighter, nasal proportions and facial profile are improved, and the shape of the lower body better fits her slim figure.

Amy M. Ortega, MD, is a board certified, double-fellowship trained plastic surgeon with a special interest in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. She can be reached for surgical consultation at her Buckhead office, 404.751.2500. For more information ABOUT DR. ORTEGA, visit www.ASAbeautiful.com.