Change Your Looks, Change Your Life, by Michelle Copeland, DMD, MD, with Alexandra S. Postman. Copyright 2003 ISBN 0-06-0621373-8 (alk.paper).
It was often said that if you had a health problem and sought the help of a variety of practitioners, each would want to treat your condition per his or her discipline. The surgeons would want to perform surgery, the internal medicine people would prescribe prescription medicines, the nutritionists would want to adjust your diet, and the rehabilitation specialists would want you to go for the physical therapy.
Not so with Michelle Copeland, who is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, practicing out of New York City. In her book Change Your Looks, Change Your Life, Dr. Copeland spends a good portion of her book describing nonsurgical fixes.
Dr. Copeland's book is divided into three parts.
The first section is devoted to educating individuals who are contemplating plastic surgery. She encourages individuals to take control in searching out solutions, thereby ensuring them the best possible outcomes and fulfillment of their expectations.
The second part of the book covers nonsurgical solutions. It is composed of treatments for skin improvement and rejuvenation and the all important when to begin fighting the aging process. She outlines regimens designed to delay the need for surgical intervention. Dr. Copeland discusses skin resurfacing techniques such as the various acid peels, dermabrasion, lasers and soft tissue fillers, like collagen, autologous fat transfers, and hyaluronic acid. She indicates which treatment is best for which problem. In addition, Dr. Copeland devotes a section to the "quick fixes," which includes treatment of age spots, spider veins, hair, and tattoo removal. But most important she explains why and how various skin regimens work and why they are not just a hype to sell products.
The third section of the book explores the surgical solutions. Dr. Copeland discusses and describes all the popular procedures and what makes an individual a good candidate for surgery. She spends time outlining some of the minimally invasive surgical procedures that do not necessitate a lengthy convalescence.
Perhaps, the most interesting aspect of the book is that Dr. Copeland promotes the various surgical and nonsurgical techniques as a way to empower an individual. She feels that it is not only the responsibility of the plastic surgeon to improve a patient's look, but also to make the individual feel better about himself or herself. If you have the frame of mind to embark on a physical change or improvement, perhaps you also have the mindset to pursue even more ambitious goals in other areas and "CHANGE YOUR LIFE."
Even for someone who has worked in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery for a while, this book is a must read.
Also of interest is Dr. Copeland's Web site: http://www.drcopeland.com.
-MARGO M. BLOOMBERG, RN, AEMT/IC
Clinical Nurse II, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
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