There are any number of reasons why a person might choose to have cosmetic surgery. Some might be considered wise, and some might not, but in the end the only one who can make that decision is you. However, there are some things to think about before making this important choice.
Most people would agree that cosmetic surgery to correct a birth defect or damage due to an njury is a justified procedure. Other cosmetic surgery procedures, though, might seem more a luxury than a necessity.
So what’s the best way to decide if a cosmetic procedure is a good choice for you? There are several things to keep in mind.
1. Do you want the procedure done for you, or because someone else thinks it’s appropriate? If there’s something about your appearance that drastically affects your self-esteem, making it hard for you to feel comfortable with yourself or to feel relaxed around other people, then a cosmetic procedure might be a good idea. On the other hand, you might consider why your appearance makes you uncomfortable. Is it because you’re worried about what other people might think of you? If this is the case, then therapy might be in order, either instead of having surgery, or to further determine why you feel it’s necessary. Whatever the case, you should never choose plastic surgery to please anyone other than yourself.
2. Do you know what you want to accomplish with a cosmetic procedure? Sometimes this is easily answered. If you have very large breasts, for example, and would like to have a breast reduction to reduce back problems or other issues related to that extra weight, then your goal is fairly clear-cut. Choosing to have a breast augmentation, however, might require a less clear-cut answer.
3. Do you have realistic expectations? Having cosmetic surgery won’t fix everything in your life. If you want to get a nose job or a face lift because you think it will repair a relationship, or improve yoru social life, you’re likely to be disappointed. The procedure might also not change your appearance as much as you think it might. Your surgeon can show you examples of what to expect from a particular procedure.
Another very important decision when you’re considering cosmetic surgery is your choice of surgeon. With cosmetic procedures becoming more common, more and more doctors are entering the field, and not all of them are necessarily the best choice for your individual needs. A consultation with a cosmetic surgeon before you undergo a procedure is vital.
You can learn many things from a consultation. Think of the consultation as an interview to find out how you and your surgeon will be able to work together. Some things to consider:
1. What is the doctor’s attitude toward cosmetic surgery? Does the surgeon seem willing to do just about anything, for any reason, for any person who can afford it? Or does she take the time to find out exactly why you wish to have a cosmetic procedure done, make you aware of the advantage sand disadvantages, and take into consideration what you expect to accomplish with your final results?
2. Does the surgeon have experience in the procedure you wish to have done? If a surgeon specializes in a particular procedure, your results are likely to be much better than they would be from a surgeon who hasn’t had a great deal of experience with the kind of work you want to have done.
3. Do you like the looks of results of the surgeon’s previous work? Most cosmetic surgeons will supply before and after pictures of work they’ve done, so you can see what kind of results to expect. If you like what they’ve done for other patients, it’s more likely you’ll be happy with work he does for you.
Cosmetic surgery can be expensive and painful, and of course permanent. The more time you spend researching what to expect, and making sure you have a skilled, qualified surgeon, and the more you understand your own motives in pursuing plastic surgery, the more likely you will be to be happy with the final results.
