Dr. Michael Zenn.For several years now, plastic surgery has been booming — and sparking events like the nation’s first plastic surgery fashion show. Some surgeons, however, claim the economy has been slowing their business.
Dr. Michael Zenn, a double-board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Duke University Medical Center, specializes in breast and facial reconstruction.
His website simply advises potential patients: “When the thing you want to change is a physical one, plastic surgery might be for you.”
Zenn is nationally renowned for his microsurgical procedures such as facial reanimation, is the program director of the Duke Plastic Surgery training program, has an active cosmetic surgery practice, and founded “Saving Face,” a program that educates high school students on the risks of tobacco use and sun exposure. He has also been named a Top Doctor in Redbook and the Ladies Home Journal (whose medical expertise I cannot vouch for).
Zenn has agreed to field questions from Freakonomics readers, so bring him your best — about surgery, the industry, even the beauty premium — in the comments section below.
As with past Q&A’s, his answers will be published here shortly.
Addendum: Zenn answers your questions here.
and 
. You can also watch it on 
Do plastic surgeons ever advise against a facial procedure? I’ve seen many celebrities on TV, like Priscilla Presley, who looked so much better before plastic surgery.
Can you spot someone easily who has had some sort of cosmetic procedure? Do you ever walk into a room and all you can see is incisions and collagen and price tags?
While this might not work with something as complex and (possibly) painful as breast reconstruction, do you think more people would be willing to try cosmetic surgery if some services were offered as outpatient rather than inpatient procedures?
I think that plastic surgeons can greatly improve the self esteem and well being of their patients. Sometimes patients do not benefit from surgery and may even look less attractive as a result. Do you ever refuse to do surgery on a patient for reasons other than that of safety? For example, have you ever told a patient that they need psychiatric help and not plastic surgery?
What age is too young for plastic surgery?
On Wikipedia, the average salary for plastic surgeons is much less than I’d expect. What separates the heavy hitters from the bat boys?
When performing purely cosmetic work, do you ever consider that your medical training could be used for something more valuable even if it would not be as profitable?
Are the effects of a “Brazilian Butt-Lift” permanent? How is the blood supply ensured for the transplanted fat cells if not?
If a woman plans to get a breast lift, should she wait until after she has children?
Do breast implants effect breast feeding/breast swelling?
What is the best way for someone to avoid loose skin after lipo or avoid needing a tummy tuck from weight loss?
How big of a problem is dimpeling (right term?) for tummy tuck/lipo patients?
Lastly, what are the most cutting edge procedures in body contouring and what has given rise to them?