The Art Of Balance In Cosmetic Surgery: Why Small Changes Make A Big Difference

While visiting Latvia last month, during the first and last weeks of the July, we were struck by the fact that our local host, plastic surgeon extraordinaire, Dr. Janis Zarecķis, was on vacation for both of those weeks. He owns a first rate medical clinic and hospital in Latvia. It turns out that he closes his clinic and hospital, completely, for the month of July, and gives all employees (and himself) a month off. That is in additional to the various national holidays sprinkled throughout the year. The disparity in paid vacation between the European Union (EU) nations and the United States highlights a fundamental difference in how employee well-being is prioritized. In the EU, all 27-member states mandate a minimum of four weeks of paid vacation, ensuring that employees, regardless of their pay grade or length of employment, have ample time to rest and recharge. This policy reflects a broader understanding that downtime is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental health. The extended periods of rest allow employees to recover from work-related stress, spend quality time with family, and pursue personal interests, all of which contribute to overall life satisfaction and productivity.

In contrast, the average American employee receives only 11 paid days off per year. This limited time off forces Americans to maximize their weekends, often leading to burnout as they try to balance work demands with personal life in a compressed timeframe. The lack of substantial downtime can have serious repercussions, including chronic stress, decreased job satisfaction, and lower productivity levels.

The U.S. may be making a significant mistake by not prioritizing employee well-being to the same extent as the EU. Providing more paid vacation could lead to healthier, happier employees who are more productive and engaged in their work. In an increasingly competitive global economy, the U.S. might benefit from reevaluating its approach to work-life balance, recognizing that investing in employee well-being is not just a perk but a necessity for long-term success.

Downtime reflecting at Chauncey Lake, MA

Downtime picking chanterelles in Latvia.

In aesthetic surgery, patients often come with requests like “suck it all out,” “pull it as tight as possible,” “make them as big as possible,” or “lift them high.” These desires, while understandable, often stem from a misconception that dramatic changes yield the best results. However, achieving a harmonious, natural look is more about balance than extremity.

Frequently, the most aesthetically pleasing outcomes arise from subtle adjustments across different areas rather than major alterations in one spot. Consider, for example, someone with a prominent hump on their nose and a weak chin. Simply reducing the hump may improve the nose but still leaves the overall facial profile unbalanced. A better approach might involve a minor reduction of the hump combined with a small chin implant. This approach creates a more proportionate and cohesive appearance.
Similarly, performing a facelift without addressing eye bags can leave the face looking uneven, as the correction in one area contrasts sharply with the laxity in another. By addressing both concerns simultaneously, a more harmonious and youthful result is achieved.

The goal in cosmetic surgery should be to enhance a person’s natural beauty, creating a balanced and refined profile. While the desire for dramatic transformation is common, the most satisfying results often come from making small, strategic adjustments that work together to create a harmonious overall appearance.

60 year old male shown here before and after having his eyebrows raised by 1/8th of an inch, a small amounty of upper lid skin and lower lid fat removed, a 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch off his nose, a 3/16th of an inch added to his profile with a chin implant and a mini-facelift without a visible scar, even without hair to hide scars, surgery performed by Dr. Juris Bunkis.

For CA, please call 949-888-9700 or visit www.orangecountyplasticsurgery.com
Or for MA location, call 508-755-4825 or visit www.salisburyps.com