NORWOOD, Ohio — Over the last few months, many people have gotten used to seeing themselves through the lens of a webcam on FaceTime or Zoom while working from home during the pandemic.
But for Jen Distasio, she said this experience drove her straight to a plastic surgeon.
“As soon as they opened up, I’m like, ‘Get me in,’" Distasio said.
The personal trainer and fitness instructor, who has been holding sessions through video calls, said it didn't take long for the self-critiquing to begin.
“Instantly. Instantly. Just holding the iPad and the phone down in front of me was really getting me down, just constantly looking at myself. I just felt like I’d aged a lot, my face was sagging," Distasio said.
Distasio said she decided to fix what she perceived as flaws. After a virtual consultation with the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center in Rookwood, she booked an appointment at the start of May.
“She did some filler right through here, along my jawline, botox, forehead, eyes. I was surprised at all the different areas that she had to do it," she said.
Dr. Jon Mendelsohn, medical director of Advanced Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center, said Distasio is one of many who have become unhappy with their appearance after months of virtual meetings.
He said his office is busier than ever since it reopened two months ago.
“Our providers, our injectors have been working 50% more hours. Usually they work four days a week, but they’ve increased it to six days, including Saturdays. If we look at the weeks following May 1st, this year to last year, business is up 90%," Mendelsohn said.
As far as the types of his procedures patients are selecting, Mendelsohn says it's an equal mix of nonsurgical options, such as the botox and filler Distasio had done, and going under the knife.
“We did see a lot of patients for rhinoplasty,” Mendelsohn said. “Eyelids, eyes were probably one of the biggest things. And then perhaps for those who are maybe a little bit older, their jowls and their necks followed.”
Distasio admits the botox and filler she received were a bit of an investment. However, she feels it was worth it.
“I feel much better. You know, I don’t feel like I have to completely put my thumb over the picture. As long as you’re doing it for you, and it’s something that you’re going to feel better about for yourself and be more confident, do it," she said.
