As you start to age and your appearance starts changing, you might start experimenting with ways to look younger, such as botox treatment. Some people, however, start to look for more permanent options to alter their appearances, such as a tummy tuck, breast enhancement surgery or chin lift.
Any type of cosmetic surgery is a serious procedure that should be carefully planned before you go through with it. If you’re considering having a procedure done, here are six factors you should consider.
What you’re hoping to gain
Make sure you have the right expectations. Cosmetic surgery is meant to enhance a specific part of your body, but it won’t make you look perfect. It is also important to remember that improving your appearance won’t necessarily improve your social life or advance your career. Most surgeons will sit down with you in advance of the surgery to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. They’ll want to verify that you’re doing it for a health reason (such as breast reconstruction) or that you’re doing it to improve your own self-esteem. Wrong reasons to consider plastic surgery include the desire to look like a celebrity or because you’re trying to impress someone else.
What the alternatives are
Even if you’ve thought of alternatives, go through the alternatives one more time. Cosmetic surgery can permanently change your appearance and can come with risks. Alternatives to cosmetic surgery usually come with fewer risks. For example, if you want a breast implant, a good alternative is working with a professional to get a nicely fitted padded bra. Breast implants permanently increase the size of your breasts (unless you go through another surgery), but you can easily switch back to a non-padded bra if you dislike the size of your new breasts.
How much it will cost
Cosmetic surgery can be expensive, especially because most insurances will only help cover the cost of the surgery if the surgery is deemed medically necessary by a professional. For example, if the shape of your nose causes breathing problems, your insurance company may be willing to help cover part of the hospital fees. Before you commit to having the surgery, research the price of the surgery and reach out to your insurance company to see if they will support the costs.
What risks are involved
No surgery comes without risks. While it is easy to think of the benefits of cosmetic surgery, you also have to think about any complications that may occur as a result. Common complications include hematomas (large pockets of blood that may need to be drained), nerve damage, scarring, and reactions to anesthesia. You’ll also be at risk for a number of infections. Cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection, is common after cosmetic surgery. It can cause your skin to quickly swell and, if left untreated, can cause complications such as spreading into your lymph nodes. Research any potential side effects of whatever surgery you’re considering and determine if the surgery is worth the risk.
How long will the procedure take?
Some procedures take a matter of minutes. Others take many hours to carry out and may need to be completed over several appointments. This could also be something to factor in when deciding whether to get cosmetic surgery. Fortunately, it’s much easier nowadays to get procedures done in a single appointment, sometimes getting multiple treatments done at a time. This post on men and plastic surgery mentions this as a possible reason as to why more men are getting cosmetic treatments – being able to get multiple treatments done at once can be less time-consuming and more affordable.
How easily you’ll recover
Some types of cosmetic surgeries require several weeks of recovery time. For example, a tummy tuck usually requires two weeks of recovery time before you can return to sedentary work and four weeks before you can resume physical activities. If you’re working, you’ll need to make sure you have enough vacation time and/or sick time to take off work. The time you need to recover will also depend on your age and overall health status. A healthy young adult will recover more quickly than an older individual with health problems. Ask your doctor or surgeon about an anticipated recovery time to help aid your decision.
Who will perform the surgery
If you move forward with surgery, the most important factor to consider is who will do your surgery. Not all surgeons are equally qualified and you’ll want to do careful research. Request an appointment with the surgeon and take the time to carefully review their website. For example, if someone was considering cosmetic surgery from Da Vinci Aesthetics, reviewing the website would allow them to see all the services that are offered and what is included in the surgery price. Take the time to meet with multiple surgeons before determining who will do your surgery.
In summary
Cosmetic surgery is a life-altering experience that can permanently impact the way you look. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to change your appearance, make sure that you are considering the surgery for the right reason, that you’ve thought about all the risks, and have a plan in place with a good surgeon.
