Victoria Johnson, MD, is a well-known physician in the practice of aesthetic medicine. She has pioneered many state-of-the-art laser procedures and surgeries and has helped guide the field for more than twenty years.
Dr. Johnson is a published author and has served on many medical boards and committees. She continues to teach other physicians the art of aesthetic medical practice and various medical techniques. Dr. Johnson has won many distinguished awards, but her favorite things in life are her husband and family.
Can you share your journey and the key milestones that led you from being a trophy wife to becoming a cosmetic surgeon?
The first milestone in the beginning of my journey was extreme emotional pain. This spurred me onto find an answer out of my current situation and the misery that was my life. I prayed constantly for The Lord to help me find a path to escape the chains that I was in.
Milestones: the calling of The Lord to become a physician. I had no confidence in myself or ability to accomplish such a task, but I had that message the completely transformed my belief. If The Lord thought that I could do it then I had to try with all of my might.
In your book, “From Trophy Wife to Cosmetic Surgeon,” you discuss the power of self-belief. Can you elaborate on how self-belief played a role in your personal and professional transformation?
Belief in myself and my abilities came slowly. I felt as though I was covered in thick mud and was trudging slowly forward. I just kept thinking that I had to place one foot in front of the other, no matter what. The fear was crippling but I clung to my self-doggedness. I would succeed or die trying. I wasn’t going to live this way with my daughter any longer. I just had to keep going. “Fake it ‘til you make it”! was my constant resolve.
I wanted to reflect and project fearlessness and self-confidence for my daughter.
What challenges did you face during your transition, and how did you overcome them to achieve success in the field of cosmetic surgery?
Throughout my journey, I faced male and female chauvinism. My pre-med advisor warned me about it. My first real encounter was when I took a philosophy course and scored an “A” but I was given and “A-“ so that a male student could surpass me and become a Rhoades scholar. I nicely confronted the professor, and he just told me that that was the way that it was and there was nothing he was going to do about it.
When I told my advisor, she said to let it go. That was the way that it was, and I didn’t want to rock the boat??? I followed her instructions and just kept quiet throughout my schooling.
Can you provide insights into the messages that your book shares with readers? What do you hope readers will take away from it?
The messages that I want to share with readers, is that you can accomplish your dreams and goals. You just must be stone cold, hard cold in your resolve. Let no one or anything get in your way. Keep your head down when you must. Bite your tongue. The challenges that you may find in other people don’t mean anything in the long run. They might be stuck forever where they are, and you are going to move forward.
Looking back, each obstacle was an opportunity to find a way. When I could not find a way, God did. Miracles happen every day. Just stay focused on your path.
How has your background and experiences as a trophy wife shaped your perspective on beauty, self-esteem, and societal expectations, especially within the context of cosmetic surgery?
My experience as a trophy wife gave me unique insights into many of my patients and their situations. My husband told me that my job was “to look good and shut up”! I can see the pain in many women’s eyes. They are trying to keep up with an image that someone else has decided that they needed to obtain. It drove me to anorexia and obsessive exercise. My whole focus was to make sure that I “looked good”! I was a beautiful young woman, and I can see clearly now that the phrase “shut up and look good” was just to brain wash me into thinking my only worth was external appearances. I point out to my staff and patients that the ideal image that we are saddled with by advertising is a lie. The average magazine, high fashion model, is between 13 and 16 years old. How in the world are we supposed to keep up with that and have children etc. and age!
What advice do you have for individuals who may be contemplating a significant career or lifestyle change, drawing from your experiences and lessons learned?
I think that you should follow your heart and your dreams no matter how impossible they seem to obtain. What is the worst that can happen? You fail! I’ve done that before, and I didn’t die! What have you got to lose. Your dreams just may come true!
Can you share any memorable experiences from your career as a cosmetic surgeon?
One of my great joys is helping a patient see their true beauty, not just the exterior. I love watching them shed their chains of self-doubt and begin to blossom into new creations. I love watching their confidence grow as they realize who they really are and who they can be.
In what ways do you actively contribute to the empowerment of women, both professionally and personally?
I love to help women personally and in their professional lives. I love helping them find work/home life balance. I try to help them realize that they need to take care of themselves first! “We are women! We take care of the world”! Someone forgot to tell us to take care of ourselves. If we aren’t at our best, emotionally, physically etc. then we can’t be as effective helping our families and friends with their struggles. I tell women to remember to throw their shoulders back and walk like you are the most confident successful woman in the world. Fake it ‘til you make it!
Cosmetic surgery often intersects with mental and emotional well-being. How do you approach the psychological aspects of your patients before and after procedures?
The most important part of my job is making sure the patient has the right motivation and expectation. This procedure they may be contemplating won’t fix their lives. It can add to their confidence, but it won’t fix other people in your life. I strive to help them feel good about themselves inside.
What message would you like to convey to individuals who may be facing societal expectations or stereotypes in their pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment?
I have many patients, especially older men and women who find themselves competing with much younger people for jobs etc. I try to strive to teach them that their experience and attitude, work ethic is what really counts. It is hard at 60 years of age to look at a 20 something and not feel intimidated. That’s where the fun is. I want them to celebrate their youth and vigor for others at the same time that they value themselves.
Victoria, how is a day in your life?
My day begins at 6:00am. I feed my dogs and let them outside while getting ready to go swimming. I make coffee for my husband and myself. Start the laundry. I checked to see what my schedule is for the day. I then swim for 90 minutes almost 7 days a week. I listen to upbeat dance music or a spiritual lecture. I then get ready and go to work if that is what my schedule is or on the weekends, if we aren’t in New Orleans taking care of our granddaughter, I make plans with my husband.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m an exceptional chef and gardener and I love cooking for friends and entertaining.
What are two of your favorite quotes?
“Faith grows in the rear-view mirror”! Sometimes you don’t know how far you have come until you look back.
“Fear is fake”! It’s a big lie. When you feel fear especially if it is intense, then you are on the right path! Keep pushing forward because victory is behind that fear!
If you had the power to change just one thing in the world, what would it be?
I wish that everyone would be kind and loving to all of life including themselves.
To know more about Dr. Victoria Johnson visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
