A plastic surgeon for 16 years, Lorenc, with New York Times
"Escapes" editor Hall, effectively communicates his love for the complex work he does in this sometimes entertaining saga of liposuctions, breast implants, face lifts and other cosmetic surgical procedures. No doubt many women will want to read the case histories, since, as the doctor points out, plastic surgery, once the province of the elderly rich, is now pursued by younger women of all income levels. Lorenc comes across as honest and trustworthy, saying no, for example, to a woman who requested liposuction when he felt it was inappropriate, and, more amusingly, to patients who flirt outrageously with him. He condemns physicians who promote plastic surgery as risk-free and insists that Botox injections should be given only in the safety of a medical office. Among other nuggets of useful information the author offers is that high-quality plastic surgery is neither pain-free nor cheap, and probably will not last a lifetime. Lorenc also shares some stories about famous patients, such as Katharine Hepburn, whose face he reconstructed several times after skin cancers were removed. He devotes some space to a discussion of male patients, whom he considers more whiny and difficult than females. Agent, Alice Martell.
(Oct.)
