News & Events
Looking for a Little Lift?
Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, May 2008
Because Baby Boomers are living longer, many are opting for a little appearance pick-me-up.
LANCASTER - Joni Sucan knows the secret to rejuvenation. And she doesn't mind sharing it with others.
Sucan underwent cosmetic surgery in July, and she said she likes what she sees when she looks into the mirror these days.
"You'll wake up looking like a new and improved you," said Sucan, 66.
Sucan is among the growing number of Baby Boomers undergoing cosmetic surgery, said Dr. Jason Lichten, a board certified plastic surgeon.
About 3 million adults age 55 and older underwent cosmetic surgery in 2007 - a 7 percent increase from 2006, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
"As the population gets older, the Baby Boomer generation is living longer and living better, and they want to look the way they feel," Lichten said.
Lichten, who owns and operates Central Ohio Plastic Surgery in Lancaster, performed Sucan's facelift and eye surgery.
What's in?
Lichten said common procedures Baby Boomers undergo are eyelid, neck and facial surgeries and rhinoplasty, also commonly referred to as a "nose job", he said.
"What I tell my patients is my goal with surgery really is to set the clock back 10 years," Lichten said. "I don't want to create an artificial or overly pulled look; it's really about rejuvenation.
"If I did a facelift on someone today, I would expect when they come back to my office in 10 years, they should look the same as when they started."
That's exactly what Sucan was looking for.
"Most people don't even know I've had anything done because (Lichten) did such a fabulous job," she said. "I didn't want that real tight look, and I didn't want to look plastic, and he did an amazing job."
Minimally-invasive procedures that are popular for Baby Boomers include Botox or Restylane facial filler injections, especially around the mouth. Lichten said the facial fillers "create instant results toward rejuvenation. The effects of such procedures lasts about six months," Lichten said.
"But they have minimum down time," he said. "Patients can go out to dinner that same day, covering up with makeup as opposed to surgery, where there is more down time."
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
A slightly noticeable double chin and other signs of aging prompted Sucan to consider cosmetic surgery.
"I had decided I want to do this," Sucan said. "I believe if it's not detrimental to your health, do it. It improves your psyche when you look in the mirror."
Sucan, who lives in Columbus, had heard about Lichten through some friends and did some research on him.
"When he was consulting me, I was consulting with him," she said.
Lichten advises people who are considering cosmetic surgery to do their homework.
"One of the things we've seen happen in plastic surgery is a rapid increase in the number of other physicians, who aren't trained in plastic surgery, starting to do more of these minimally-invasive procedures," he said.
Lichten said board certified plastic surgeons can present patients with many different options and are more equipped to deal with the complete course of treatment.
"Any physician can take a weekend course to do Botox, but it's better to use someone who's board certified (in plastic surgery)," he said. "People should not be afraid to ask tough questions when they go in to see someone; ask what their training is."
Prospective patients also need to figure out what their "realistic" goals are, Lichten added.
"Any surgical or nonsurgical procedure has risks associated with it, so people have to consider that seriously," he said. "With consultations, we go over what the realistic expectations should be."
