r/aesthetics

Do you experience epistemic loneliness?
▲ 80 r/aesthetics+23 crossposts

Do you experience epistemic loneliness?

According to some of the posts I've seen here, I think this is a thing. In case you haven't heard of the term:

Epistemic loneliness is a distinct cognitive form of isolation that occurs when you are profoundly unable to share, explore, or mutually develop complex ideas with others, even when you possess the requisite communication skills.

I've experienced this and also know people who have.

Maybe social difficulties are more of an environment thing rather than a personality trait, day by day I lean more into the environment hypothesis.

Sure some people could use a boost in their social awareness or confidence, but it takes time especially if you're stuck in an evironment that feels unstimulating or draining, or if you feel alone in how you see the world.

Also of course, people waste a lot of time in small talk missing opportunities for connection based on the things that make life a strange and precious adventure.

Following the environment hypothesis I think this demands an architectural solution rather than addressing the problem psychologically or individually.

So I came up with an architecture for good conversations based on interests (you'd say this is very intj?).

The strucrtural answer I reached is Pollen. People's topics of interest are taken, then, a question that connects them is posed to start a temporary group conversation.

So what do you think, through your life have there been environments that made you feel comfortable, like people cared to get into topics that were interesting to you and moved away from small talk?

What made them work? What was missing?

u/drunksocks — 1 day ago
▲ 0 r/aesthetics+1 crossposts

MEETH / Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital Fellowship/Resident Clinic — Updated Pricing 2026

Posting this because there are a lot of older Reddit/TikTok posts about the MEETH fellowship/resident plastic surgery clinic being an affordable option, and apparently their pricing structure has changed significantly.

I previously had a consultation at MEETH in 2024. At that time, the consultation fee was $75, and I was quoted approximately $1,300 for the surgeon/procedure fee for a thigh lift, not including anesthesia, hospital/OR, and other associated fees.

I called today because I already had the consultation and previous estimate and simply wanted to know the updated 2026 price for the same procedure.

I was told I would need to come in for another consultation and pay the current $200 consultation fee in order to receive a new estimate.

I explained that I had already been evaluated and asked whether they could at least tell me how much the pricing had increased from my previous $1,300 quote.

The person I spoke with explained that as of January 2026, they no longer have a set price for each procedure. Instead, each surgeon determines the cost based on the number of hours they estimate the surgery will require.

I specifically asked what that meant in terms of price. She explained that it could potentially be $2,000 per hour, $3,000 per hour, $4,000 per hour, etc., depending on the case/surgeon’s estimate. I told her that pricing structure didn’t make sense to me, and she acknowledged my concern but said this is how the program has been pricing procedures since January.

And remember: these figures are not necessarily the final all-in surgical cost. There can still be anesthesia, hospital/operating room, implants/materials, and other fees depending on the procedure.

So basically, I would have to pay another $200 consultation fee just to find out what my new price would be, even though I already had a previous consultation and estimate.

For me, this changes the entire appeal of going through a fellowship/resident clinic. The reason I originally considered MEETH was because the pricing was substantially lower in exchange for having surgery performed through a teaching program under supervision.

If the total cost starts approaching premium/private-practice pricing, I personally don’t see the same benefit. At that point, I would rather compare the total cost with an experienced specialist who regularly performs the specific procedure I want.

It also seems like MEETH became much more popular on social media over the last couple of years. I can’t say whether that has anything to do with the pricing changes, but the program is definitely not priced the way it was when I went in 2024.

If anyone has actually received a 2026 MEETH quote under this new hourly pricing system, please comment with:

• Procedure

• Estimated surgical hours

• Surgeon/fellow fee

• Anesthesia fee

• Hospital/OR fee

• Total all-in price

I think current numbers would be really helpful because a lot of information online about MEETH pricing is now outdated.

reddit.com
u/Either_Acadia9892 — 9 days ago