Is Giving Plastic Surgery as a Christmas Gift a Good Idea?
December 15, 2015
With all the 10º weather we’ve been experiencing in Toronto this week, it can be difficult to remember that it’s the month of December and Christmas is only 10 days away. Maybe you’ve finished your gift shopping, or maybe you’re still trying to think of what to get for the person who has everything. One particular topic of conversation comes up a lot for us around this time of year—is it a good idea to give someone plastic surgery as a holiday gift?
Well, that can be a complicated question, although it doesn’t have to be. If you’re making a big assumption without having a conversation first, you could be setting yourself up for a very memorable Christmas, and not in a good way. If you have no idea if it’s something your loved one, family member, or friend really wants for themselves, it’s a pretty awkward hint to give them. You might rightly end up with a lump of coal in your stocking in return.
That being said, it seems like popular attitudes about cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments are changing all the time. Tom Seery, the founder and CEO of realself.com (essentially the top consumer website for patients considering plastic surgery) recently explained that people have become more comfortable talking about the cosmetic procedures they’re interested in since cosmetic medicine has become so much more mainstream than it once was. Since the year 2000, these procedures have grown in popularity by an impressive 104%. The result? More and more people are having that first step conversation, and more are feeling comfortable asking Santa for surgery this Christmas.
It’s not uncommon for us to receive inquiries about gifting procedures and gift cards. In many of those cases, we’re hearing from romantic partners who want to help contribute to overall costs. A survey of RealSelf community members found that, of those who had gotten some kind of a procedure as a gift, 75% received it from their partner or spouse.
One great way to go about gifting plastic surgery that benefits everyone involved is to give the gift to a loved one or friend who’s already had a consultation and made the decision on their own terms. First of all, that eliminates any risk that you’ll be offending them. Second of all, for a plastic surgeon, the consultation process is an essential step in determining if a patient is a good candidate for the procedure they want. It’s really important to ascertain if a prospective patient has reasonable expectations and is not being affected by any external pressure.
It’s the same reason why consultations at The Plastic Surgery Clinic are always free—we never want someone to come in and feel like they’re carrying the weight of a financial burden before they even get to ask questions about the procedure. You should always be entitled to make the best decision for your health, your body, and your lifestyle without any added stress.
Did we answer all your questions? Our goal is to ensure you have the best information possible to make your decision. If you still have questions, we’re here to help.