Much has been written about reality star Heidi Montag before and after plastic surgery. Now wife to Spencer Pratt and going by Heidi Pratt, the former star of The Hills and The Hills New Beginnings claimed, in 2010, to have had “10 plastic surgery procedures in one day”. I would like to give my thoughts about the many issues that pertain to this “story”.
First, let me dispel the myth that that much surgery in one day is not possible. While I will admit that this many plastic surgeries is definitely a lot, you must keep in mind the complexity of each procedure.
Heidi Montag Plastic Surgery History: A Surgeon’s Note
From what I understand, her cosmetic procedures included things like a revision of her nasal tip, fat injections to her cheeks, a breast implant exchange, chin reduction, liposuction, etc. There was also talk that Heidi recalled she died for a minute and at one time during her recovery, had a heart rate of five beats per minute.
The list above may include what seems like complicated procedures to the general public, but as a board certified plastic surgeon, I know that these are relatively small, quick procedures. Each one carries minimal anesthetic risk or risk of major post-operative complications — especially when performed on a young and healthy person.
Heidi Montag Plastic Surgery Procedures: Is 10 Procedures Possible?
While the media likes to focus on the seemingly large number of plastic surgeries, the complexity of each and the required anesthetic time is most important.
To give an example, facial rejuvenation surgery in my practice often includes a facelift, necklift, upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, browlift, and chemical peel. This is common combination of six procedures performed widely by qualified plastic surgeons. The actual operating time of all these procedures may be less than performing one breast reconstruction.
The point is that the most important thing is the total length of the surgery, not the number of procedures. I have no personal knowledge about how long Heidi’s surgery lasted, and if it was an exceedingly long surgery (in excess of 6 hours), then one may argue that it was “too much”. But the fact that ten procedures were done should not be the sole reason for the uproar.
Many people also point out that Heidi is only 23 years old. Her young age and good health make her a good surgical candidate for an elective surgery (or ten). She has an extremely low risk of complications. Also, the fact that she is so young does not place her at risk for future complications.
Yes, as she ages, it is likely that some of her surgery will need to be redone as her body changes. Her surgeries only affect her appearance, not the function of her body or her overall health.
Should the Plastic Surgeries Have Been Done at All?
The real issue is whether or not these surgeries should have been performed at all. The fact that she desires such radical changes in her appearance at such a young age does raise suspicion about her mental state.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a serious condition in which one person’s perceived flaw is amplified to intense dislike of the appearance of his or her own body. In order to truly have BDD, the person must have the perception of a problem, in the absence of a real problem.
For example, if someone has a crooked nose with a large hump, it is understandable that they may be unhappy with their nose and desire surgery. However, if a person has no obvious deformity, yet they cannot stand the way their nose looks in the mirror and they perceive a crooked, humped nose that is not there, then this is a sign of possible BDD. Some experts say Michael Jackson died with this disorder, though I do not claim to know this.
Plastic surgeons are always on the lookout for these patients because they will never be satisfied with the outcome of a surgery, no matter how successful the operation. They will always perceive a deformity and put so much pressure on themselves that they can ultimately no longer see reality. I never say I can fix the perceived issues of a patient like this. In many cases, I hope they will go to a doctor who specializes in BDD.
Heidi Montag Before and After Plastic Surgery
From the looks of it online, Heidi Montag (Pratt) seems to be doing well. Still, many of her fans from The Hills and The Hills New Beginnings say they liked Heidi Montag before plastic surgery better. You can look up Heidi Montag plastic surgery before and after pictures and decide for yourself.
Ultimately, I do not know if Heidi regrets her decision to undergo breast augmentation and many other surgeries. And I do not mean to imply that Heidi Montag suffers from BDD. In fact, it is more likely that she simply has a strong idea about how she wants to appear and happens to have the resources and connections to make it a reality.
My personal opinion is that her surgery was a bit excessive in that it dramatically changed her appearance to the point where she looks like a different person. But, as a plastic surgeon who routinely performs cosmetic surgery, I understand that cosmetic surgery is a matter of taste. It is our job to perform surgery in a safe and ethical manner, without imposing our own sense of taste on our patients.
We won’t make negative comments, but we will not perform “just anything” either. Sometimes, a surgeon needs to say “no” and not be affected by fame or money.
Fortunately for my sense of well-being (and unfortunately for my wallet), I say “no” very often in my practice. I just seem to sleep better at night.
Who is Heidi Montag
“Heidi Blair Pratt (née Montag; September 15, 1986) is an American reality television personality, singer and actress. Born and raised in Crested Butte, Colorado, she befriended Lauren Conrad in 2005. In 2006, Montag came to prominence after being cast in the MTV reality television series The Hills, which chronicled the personal and professional lives of Conrad, Montag, and friends Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port. During its production, she briefly attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and was employed by event planning company Bolthouse Productions. As the series progressed, Montag began dating fellow cast member Spencer Pratt, which ultimately ended her friendship with Conrad. Their ensuing feud became the central focus of the series, and was carried through each subsequent season.”
Contact Schulman Plastic Surgery to Book your Appointment
If you are considering plastic surgery for yourself, choosing your plastic surgeon is no easy task. I like to think patients want a plastic surgeon who will listen to their desires but also help them come up with workable, realistic aesthetic goals. That sentiment is what we aim to provide.
Contact New York plastic surgeon Matthew Schulman, M.D. today to book your in-person or virtual consultation. We offer fly-in services and have relationships with several hotels in the greater New York City area.
