Psycho-Cybernetics and Other Top Self-Help Books to Improve Self-Image

via wellness-decisions.com

In 1960 Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon, wrote a popular self-help book titled Psycho-Cybernetics.   This book is often listed as a classic self-help book, as motivational speakers including Tony Robbins and Zig Ziglar have based some of their techniques on his work.  Maltz wrote this book because he found that his patients weren’t always satisfied by the results of their plastic surgery.  He felt that they had certain expectations and they were not always met. 

Maltz’s book was about setting goals through visualization techniques that allow for a positive outcome.  “The book introduced Maltz’s views where a person must have an accurate and positive view of his or her self before setting goals; otherwise he or she will get stuck in a continuing pattern of limiting beliefs.”

As Maltz saw it, self-image was the key to a better life.  However, part of our self-image may be based on false beliefs.  He felt we needed to dehypnotize ourselves from those beliefs. According to Maltz, “The self-image sets the boundaries of human accomplishment.  It is the key to your personality, to your behavior, to your character.  Enlarge the scope of your self-image through confidence and enlarge the scope of what you can do in this world to reach self-fulfillment.”

According to Malt’z website “Dan Kennedy, author of The New Psycho Cybernetics calls Psycho Cybernetics the original science of self improvement – and he gives three reasons for this claim:

•Its introduction of the idea of the self image – a term Maltz used to describe certain activities in the subconscious mind

•The role of psycho cybernetics as an influence in much of self improvement literature since 1960

•It offers practical techniques you can use – rather than simply philosophical principles”

Maltz’s principles are not the only ones that continue to be useful today.  Check out the following top self-help and/or motivational books that have withstood the test of time:

Psycho-Cybernetics

7 Habits of Highly Successful People

Man’s Search for Meaning

Awaken the Giant Within

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy

For a more complete list, check out:  50 Self-Help Classics: 50 Inspirational Books to Transform Your Life 

For more information about assessing personality, check out:  It’s Not You It’s Your Personality

Related articles

• Can’t Affored the Myers Briggs MBTI? A Free Way to Determine Your Personality Type and Job Preferences
• Myers Briggs MBTI:  Testing Your Relationships
• Top 10 Personality, Career, IQ and EQ Tests
• Considering Plastic Surgery – New Site Lets Patients Share Their Stories
• Baby Boomers Keeping Plastic Surgeons Busy

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Plastic Surgeon of the Millennium D. Ralph Millard Dies at 92

Picture:  D. Ralph Millard, MD and Diane Hamilton, PhD

My cousin, D. Ralph Millard, once nominated as one of the 10 “plastic surgeons of the millenium” died recently of heart failure.  The Miami Herald included an article about this amazing man’s life.  According to that article, “He was best known for developing “rotation advancement’’ surgery in the ‘50s. The method conserves tissue that doctors had routinely removed when correcting a cleft lip, producing a natural-looking mouth in much less time. Before he developed it, surgical procedures were performed on patients into their late teens. With his method, most children are operated on by 4 or 5. Millard also made major advances in corrective rhinoplasty— nose surgery—for people disfigured by accidents, cancer, war wounds, even cocaine abuse. “His work is considered pure artistry,” Dr. Bernard Fogel, dean emeritus of the medical school, told The Miami Herald when Millard retired in 2000, three months before the death of his wife of 45 years, Barbara Smith Millard. “He’s a giant.”

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Ralph was an inspiration to me and so many others.  For information about Dr. Ralph Millard and the Millard Society, click here.

Baby Boomers Keeping Plastic Surgeons Busy

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The popularity of plastic surgery is undeniable.  What may be interesting to note is how much of an impact the Baby Boomer generation has on the number of plastic surgery procedures performed.  Baby Boomers are those born between 1946 and 1964.   Karen Zupko and Sheila Hall from the Aesthetic Society News magazine recently reported some interesting Baby Boomer, cosmetic and plastic surgery statistics:

• 7,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 per day in 2011 – This will jump to 10,000 per day over the next 18 years according to Pew Research. 
• People age 51-64 account for 28% of total plastic surgery procedures
• People over 65 account for 7.3% of total plastic surgery procedures
• Baby Boomers make up 35% of plastic surgery patients
• The rate of men age 50-64 who color their hair grew from 3-10% from 1999 to 2000
• 2,437,165 Botox procedures were performed in 2010 (all age groups) – Non-invasive procedures are growing with men accounting for 15% of injectable market and 26% of skin rejuvenation market.

How can plastic surgeons capitalizing on this demographic?    The authors suggest a few ideas to appeal to this group:

• Have marketing material in larger font for ease of reading
• Offer a pampering environment
• Don’t waste patients’ time by making them wait
• Focus on men too as they are becoming more interested in plastic surgery
• Don’t focus on age in marketing because according to Pew Research, this group feels 9 years younger than their true age
• Make things convenient for them

For those targeting Baby Boomers in their marketing plan, they may want to consider television advertising as Boomers watch more television than any other generation. 

For more information about plastic surgery and specific procedures, click here.

Related articles

• Considering Plastic Surgery? Site Lets Patients Share Stories (drdianehamilton.wordpress.com)
• According to New Study:  Dysport More Effective Than Botox (everydayhealth.com)

Considering Plastic Surgery? Site Lets Patients Share Stories

via azplasticsurgerycenter.com

Sites like HysterSisters have been popular for women who want to get together and discuss their menopause and hysterectomy-related issues. Now there is a site for people to utilize who may be considering plastic surgery.  The site MakeMeHeal.com offers a variety of information including everything from post-surgical underwear choices to information about what products may be helpful to heal after specific surgeries. 

If a patient is considering eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) for example, they can go to the link specifically about that procedure to find out details about the surgery including how long it will take to recover, homeopathic remedies for pain relief, what other comfort products are available, and even what makeup works the best as camouflage.

Like the HysterSisters site, the MakeMeHeal site offers a message board.  According to their site, “Our plastic surgery message boards are for all of us who want to talk, listen, share, help, and support fellow women and men interested in cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures. You can read messages without logging in. To post a message, please log in or register. It’s free…and being a member gives you access to important information.”

The site even offers a directory of doctors.  Be aware that the doctors with a lot of information and recommendations may also be advertising on the site. It is important that you research any physician on additional sites.  Patients can rate their doctors and even upload their own before and after pictures.  There is a “create your photo album” option available for those interested in keeping track of several operations.   

I recently asked Dr. Robert Spies, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Arizona what he thought about this site. Dr. Spies stated, “It’s an informative, easy-to-navigate website that provides excellent up-to-date information on the latest plastic surgery procedures.” For additional information about specific operations, see the following links from Dr. Robert Spies, MD at Arizona Plastic Surgical Center:

Facelifts

Breast Augmentation

Liposuction

Tummy Tuck

Non-Surgical Procedures like Botox

How to Handle Your Introvert or Extrovert Doctor

 

image via corbisimages.com

Ever since I became a qualified Myers-Briggs MBTI instructor, I tend to try and figure out a person’s personality and what “type” they would be.  I was thinking about this the other day as I was talking to one of my physicians. I really like this guy because he is very calm and listens well.  He is a classic introvert.  He thinks a long time before he speaks.  Because I have had the MBTI personality assessment training, I know that when he is quiet, he is thinking about what he wants to say, so I try to shut up and give him the chance to speak.  

As I mentioned in the book I co-wrote with Toni Rothpletz,  It’s Not You It’s Your Personality, I am the classic extrovert.  I never stop talking.  When I am in a doctor’s office, I tend to blab blab blab about what I want to say because that is how I think . . . externally.  That is what we extroverts do.  The problem with extroverts going to doctors who are introverts is that we, the extroverts, tend to do all of the talking.  We want answers but we don’t give the poor doctor a chance to speak to give us those answers. 

From the studies I’ve seen, more people are extroverts and more extroverts than introverts are drawn to the primary care doctor positions. There is some data to show that introverts may be drawn to being surgeons.  My husband is an extroverted surgeon, but I can see that the surgical field would be a natural fit for the introvert.  I would think the anesthesiologist position would naturally appeal to the introverts as well.  As I wrote about in my book, How to Reinvent Your Career, I was a pharmaceutical representative for 15 years.  During that time, I saw that there were plenty of both types of doctors in all specialities.

How will you know if your doctor is an introvert or an extrovert?  The biggest clue will be in how long they take to respond to your questions.  If they answer quickly and talk over you, they may be an extrovert. If they take a few moments to think about what they want to say and appear to be quieter, they may be an introvert.

However, there will be a mix of introverts and extroverts in just about any field.  Therefore I think it is important to think about how to interact with your doctor based on your type as well as his or her type.  Here are some suggestions about how to interact with them:

If you are an introvert and your doctor is an introvert:

You both like to take time to think about what you want to say.  Your appointment probably will take a little longer while you both take your time to speak.  Introverts can interact well together because they understand how each other thinks.  However, be careful not to take too long to think about what you want to say and leave without getting your point out there.  It will come naturally for you to wait for their response but be sure they have had a chance to say all that they want to say.  You might ask “is there anything else I should be aware of?” or something like that to be sure they are finished. 

If you are an introvert and your doctor is an extrovert:

You may find more frustration here because your doctor will be doing most of the talking.  You need to be aware that since there is a higher number of extroverts, you have a good chance of this happening.  You may have to push yourself to think a little quicker and be more prepared ahead of time.  I would recommend coming with a list of your concerns that you have had time to think about previously so that you can just hand them to the doctor.  This helps keep his active mind busy and you can be sure that your questions will be heard. 

If you are an extrovert and your doctor is an introvert:

This is the situation I mentioned previously that I was in with my physician.  It is important that we as extroverts learn to recognize the introvert personality.  If you are doing all of the talking and the doctor is just listening and not really saying much, you might be talking to an introvert.  (It almost sounded like a Jeff Foxworthy routine there)  Try to ask one question at a time and stop and wait for their response.  I have to stop myself all of the time and just shut up.  This can be difficult for the extrovert but if you really want your answer, you must be aware that they think internally and like to take their time coming up with a response.  For you introvert doctors out there reading this . . . You would best be served to tell the extrovert patient something like, “that is a good question . . . give me a second while I think about an appropriate answer.”  That may shut us up long enough to sit still and wait for you to speak.

If you are an extrovert and your doctor is an extrovert:

In this situation, everyone is talking . . . and at the same time!   This can be a problem as well.  If everyone is speaking over each other and no one is really listening, the problem you are having may not be heard.  I think having a list of ailments and concerns written down before you go can help with every group.  In this particular situation, it may be helpful because it may keep both of you focused.  Try not to talk over the doctor and if they do not stop speaking, stop them every once in a while and say something like, “can I ask you a question?”   This will make a break in the conversation and let them know that you are about to say something that is important.

Michael Douglas Cancer Scare and Treatment Options

Today’s guest blogger is my husband, Robert Spies, MD.  Dr. Spies is a board certified plastic surgeon in Paradise Valley, Arizona.  He has been voted “Top Doc” by a group of his peers in Phoenix Magazine. 

Guest Blogger Article:  

I read in the newspaper yesterday about Michael Douglas discovering he has throat cancer.  I remember the same story several years ago about Eddie Van Halen.  Both have a history of smoking cigarettes.  Michael Douglas has chosen chemotherapy and radiation therapy for treatment of this disease.

As a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon, I find this news worthy of several discussions.

It immediately brings forth the dangers of cigarette smoking or use of nicotine in any form.  Smoking is a strong risk cancer for throat cancer (voice box and vocal cords) and other cancers inside the mouth and throat such as tongue and tonsils.  I perform reconstructive microsurgery to rebuild areas of the mouth and throat that are removed during cancer surgery.  Most of these patients have a history of smoking.  Some also have a history of excessive alcohol use as well.

Treatment for this type of cancer includes either chemotherapy and radiation therapy which both Michael Douglas and Eddie Van Halen chose or surgical excision and repair. 

Most people think of plastic surgeons as cosmetic surgeons performing tummy tucks, facelifts and cosmetic breast surgery.  However, there are some who perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery as well.  I am one who does both.  The reconstructive operations include rebuilding a woman’s breast after breast removal for cancer treatment as well as head and neck reconstruction after removal of throat or mouth cancers.

The other discussion in regards to cigarette smoking is its destructive nature to skin and your body’s blood supply.  Nicotine lowers the blood supply to different parts of your body by causing disease in your arteries.  This is quite evident on facial skin.  You are much more prone to looking older than you are due to early development of skin wrinkles, damaged skin with a course texture and deep lip lines.  These problems are much more difficult for a plastic surgeon to treat with continued smoking.  At the same time, performing surgery on a smoker is much more dangerous with higher complication rates.  Problem that could occur include skin loss or gangrene, excessive bleeding, higher infection rate and wound healing problems including breakdown.

Hopefully, discussions like this will help some people stop smoking.  As a plastic surgeon, I do want my patients to look better and feel better about themselves, but also to lead a more healthy lifestyle.  Cessation of smoking is the first step.