Everybody seems to be doing it, and you’re wondering whether you should get a tweak, a nip, or a tuck to make you feel better about your appearance. After all, a little extra confidence can go a long way. But even if you don’t have any concerns at the back of your mind, you’re not quite ready to make your choice yet. Here’s what you need to do before you decide whether you’ll opt for plastic surgery or not.
1. Visit a Reputable Plastic Surgeon
This may sound like putting the cart before the horse, but in reality, it isn’t. If you’re considering having a cosmetic procedure done, a visit to the surgeon’s offices is the first port of call. Dr. Brandon Ball, a well-known plastic surgeon from Edmonton says that a good cosmetic surgeon will place patient education first. This process covers all the steps that follow in this article and enable people to make informed choices about the procedures they’re considering.
2. Achieve Realistic Expectations
It’s a common fictional plotline: someone goes for plastic surgery and emerges looking radically different. Reality is not quite like that. Many procedures achieve subtle results that won’t be all that obvious at a casual glance. Once again, explaining what you can expect from a procedure is best done by the cosmetic surgeon during your first consultation.
3. Understand the Procedure and the Recovery Process
A plastic surgeon isn’t a salesperson – he or she is a medical professional. Having identified which procedure you would require and after explaining what you can realistically expect from it, it’s time to move on to the next step. During this part of your consultation, you will find out more about what the procedure itself entails and what recovery will be like after it has been carried out. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, and you’ll get realistic answers. You should also ask your doctor where you can find additional information if new questions occur to you later.
4. What are the Risks?
Any form of surgery has some degree of risk that goes with it. The chance of having a bad experience will be quite low, but it’s sensible to get information about worst-case scenarios. Telling prospective patients what they stand to gain – as well as discussing risks if things go wrong are standard practice, and you should pay careful attention.
5. What are the Costs?
If you are undergoing purely cosmetic surgery rather than reconstructive surgery, your medical insurance won’t help you to cover its cost. This is definitely a time when shopping around for the lowest price isn’t on the cards – but you do need to know what the cost implications might be. Remember that you should factor in your recovery time when you will be unproductive and may even need help to do basic things like housework or shopping.
Take Time to Think it Over
Cosmetic Surgery can have a great many benefits over and above improving your appearance. You may feel more confident in your work and personal life, rid yourself of physical imperfections that have made you value yourself less, and as a result, be happier and better able to relate to others. However, you do need to consider all the facts, and since these will be based on your individual case, the first visit to your plastic surgeon’s office is an information-gathering exercise rather than a commitment to surgery. Ensure that all the points we’ve mentioned have been covered, take notes, ask for additional resources, and then take your time to think it over.
