Beverly Hills plastic surgeon gives behind-the-scenes view into cosmetic surgery world

– For just about as long as it’s been available, cosmetic surgery has been a polarizing and controversial practice. Plastic surgeon Robin T.W. Yuan goes behind his cosmetic practice to reveal important concepts and dispel common misconceptions in “Behind the Mask, Beneath the Glitter: The Deeper Truths About Safe, Smart Cosmetic Surgery” (ISBN 1451513836).

As a plastic surgeon, Yuan believes that most cosmetic procedures are not necessary, but rather, patients desire to feel better about specific parts of their body. While Yuan leaves explaining the easy questions about self-care following facial rejuvenation or how to finance a breast implant surgery to others, he reveals his more philosophical approach to cosmetic surgery. The book discusses what drives him to the profession, as well as what should motivate patient to go through such procedures. By relating cosmetic surgery to other aspects of life, potential patients might come up with surprising revelations.

“Patients, potential patients, and the general public asked questions and expected answers that seemed out of touch with what really should be going on in cosmetic surgery,” Yuan says on why he wrote this book. “It is clear that people are led much by the media and the profession’s relentless marketing techniques.”

Unfortunately, Yuan has seen these misconceptions lead at times to inappropriate, harmful, or unsatisfactory surgeries. He hopes that through the contrarian truths revealed in “Behind the Mask, Beneath the Glitter,” those interested in going under the knife will think more deeply about the procedures and accept cosmetic surgery for what it really is: a potentially life-altering procedure that while based in science is more an artistic process: what he calls “structured creativity.” Heeding the Twelve Sacred Know-No’s  that he delineates in the final chapter, patients should be able to reap the substantial benefits of cosmetic surgery while minimizing the risk of unhappiness.

Accolades for the book have come from many esteemed surgeons:

Leon Morganstern, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Surgery at UCLA, wrote, "... interesting, literate, entertaining, informative and well-written...I got a great deal of pleasure reading them. There is much surgical and medical wisdom than just plastic surgery."

Joseph Murray, M. D., Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and 1990 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, wrote: "I read your book with interest and was impressed by your insight into the essence of Cosmetic Surgery.... You have led a remarkable life of experiences."

Another former Chief of Plastic Surgery said: "I was aware you were a master with a scalpel, but you have matched
your skill in writing---and about a subject frequently the subject of books. But your view is unique, interesting, and truly an inside look at cosmetic surgery and the entire field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. I don't think there is a book like it and maybe the only one because you have described the important subtleties in an entertaining and informative manner."