Plastic Surgery Considerations: A List of Things to Think about Before Going Under the Knife
We’re willing to wager that we all consider or think about; however, briefly, plastic surgery as a quick fix for our body hang-ups. Or we at least contemplate what procedures, whether it is a major or minor change, permanent or semi-permanent, could be undertaken for us to feel more comfortable in our own skins. This gender-based research proves this fact, which found that women underwent 92% of all cosmetic procedures recorded, with men making up the additional 8%. This statistic isn’t helped by famous, modern-age social figures and social media platforms such as Instagram, suggesting that women have more hang-ups about their physical appearance.
We can’t help but constantly compare ourselves to these overly-filtered, rich celebrities who can afford the time and expenses to transform themselves whenever it pleases. The media and publications offer no retribution either, as people who resort to plastic surgery are often labelled vain, self-centred, shallow, or self-conscious, which is not always the case. Opposed to others who embrace their bodies and love themselves no matter their size, gender identity, or race, these people are often dragged down and have negative opinions directed at them or told that they’ve let themselves go.
Everyone’s self-love and body acceptance journeys are different; some may find comfort in the form of minor enhancements or plastic surgery, whereas others might not. Both of which are completely fine, and it’s these struggles that make us all individual as we navigate the world of self-love. We understand that embarking on plastic surgery isn’t for everyone, and those who opt or consider this venture may have many questions. So, in light of this, we’ve produced a list of plastic surgery considerations and all of the things you should contemplate if you’re worried about undergoing a procedure or just simply wanting some more time to evaluate the situation to make you feel more at ease.
Have Realistic Expectations
Plastic surgery can be a costly investment, and it can take a long time of researching and visiting clinics before you find a doctor that you trust and feel is right for you. Therefore, with this being said, just because you’re spending a lot of money and you’re in the hands of a good doctor doesn’t mean that the surgery will completely transform you. So establishing realistic expectations and having thorough discussions with your chosen doctor are paramount so that you know what to expect and to avoid dissatisfaction further down the line.
Sadly, even plastic surgery cannot cure every qualm we have with our bodies, so it’s vital that you communicate your needs and desired outcomes with your surgeon at the start of your journey. They will then be able to tell you the realistic results from the surgery, discuss the healing period, and what to expect during this time so that no wires are crossed, and so you don’t expect any unrealistic or unachievable results.
Take A Look At Your Surgeons Qualifications And Certifications
Once you’ve visited or researched a few clinics and are ready to narrow down your options or finalise your decision, before doing so, you should consider taking a look at your chosen surgeon’s qualifications and certifications. Ultimately, you’re putting yourself in the hands of a complete stranger, so you must conduct background checks on your intended doctor and the premises that they operate out of. During your consultation, you should have the opportunity to ask your surgeon any relevant questions regarding their medical background and credentials, or their qualifications and certifications may be listed on the surgery’s website. Alternatively, you can also find this information through the General Medical Council (GMC), as they hold the central registers of doctors’ qualifications, including the medical and specialist register. The medical and specialist register highlights who is adequately qualified to practice medicine and any other specialist training that individuals may have undertaken, like surgical training. If you’re looking to carry out these searches, you can do so via their website or contact the GMC via telephone. We then suggest that you continue your search if your intended surgeon isn’t certified in general or for the procedure you’re interested in.
Visit The Premises In Person
It would be beneficial if you considered visiting the premises in person during your searches for the ideal surgeon and clinic to carry out your procedure. You may think that this is easier said than done, depending on the distance between your home and the surgery or whether it would be the case of going overseas. It may make it harder or, in some cases, impossible for you to keep traveling back and forth. However, if at all possible, we recommend visiting the premises multiple times so that you can further establish whether this surgery is the place for you and if you’d feel comfortable within the environment.
Evaluating the facility in person allows you to ascertain that the premises are accredited, kept clean and presentable, whether staff members are polite and attentive to your needs, and give you a warm welcome amongst other essential checks. You could also have conversations with current clinic patients to see if they would recommend the premises or take a look at success stories online. We recommend prioritising clinics that operate out of a hospital or a medical centre, as these surgeries will have access to the necessary equipment and facilities should any potential complications arise.
Take Every Opportunity To Minimise Risks
No procedure, whether surgical or non-surgical, comes without risks. Still, we can take preventative measures wherever possible to minimise these potential threats to ensure that we’re putting ourselves in the safest position possible. Of course, one of the most feared risks post-surgery is dissatisfaction with your appearance. Still, plastic surgery can also cause other common complications such as scarring, nerve damage, and infection or wound separation. Plus, if your procedure is invasive and involves the usage of anaesthesia, this can lead to other complications, although extremely rare.
Providing that you’ve selected a good surgeon and facility to carry out your procedure, they should smooth out all potential worries about these complications during your consultations or meetings towards the surgery date. Especially why good communication and discussion amongst yourself and your doctor is crucial. So that any worries you might have, are taken care of prior to your procedure and so that you feel as though you can ask them any questions without judgement.
During these consultations and meeting times, you should also take the opportunity to ask any other queries that you might have about your upcoming surgery, be they about post-surgery risks or any other burning questions you may have. Suppose, for instance, that you’re considering a breast augmentation. In that case, you might have questions about various parts of the procedure, such as; “What size cup would be best for me?”, “Do breast implants feel natural?”, “How long post-surgery do I have to wait before doing exercise again?” and many others. Your chosen surgeon should answer all of these questions during your meetings. Or you can seek advice online and read guides by other medical professionals such as Enhance Medical Group, whose website is full of valuable resources regarding breast augmentation and various other surgeries.
Allow Yourself Time For Recovery
When allocating time for your surgery to take place, it’s essential that you also factor in any other considerations such as work commitments, downtime, and your family life. As chances are, that straight after having your procedure, you may need more rest than you originally accounted for and that you may have less energy to put into mundane tasks. Your recovery period may differ depending on what type of surgery you undertake. For instance, if you opt for a facial cosmetic procedure such as rhinoplasty, brow lift, or a facelift, these procedures can take anywhere between two to four weeks to heal, unlike more invasive procedures.
So you’ll have to consider whether having up to a month off work is feasible, or if you could do a couple of weeks working from home instead of going into the office so that you can rest when needed and avoid contact with the general public until the bruising and swelling has reduced. As your body adjusts to the changes that plastic surgery can cause, you may feel self-conscious or an unwillingness to be seen in public until the best part of your post-surgery side effects has worn off. In this case, you’ll also have to make accommodations for any social events you may have planned and postpone them or make alternative arrangements. Suppose you are particularly worried about post-surgery side effects. In that case, you can discuss these with your surgeon, plus any expectations and over-the-counter medications that are recommended to help with any post-surgery complications.
As we’ve touched on previously, good communication and thorough discussion with your doctor can help to minimise any worries you may have post-surgery and during the aftercare process. Your surgeon will be able to set realistic expectations for you so that you’ll recognise and be prepared for any side effects that may occur. Although you may have undertaken this surgical procedure for yourself and your betterment, it’s essential to be kind to yourself during recovery and patient with your results. Don’t get disheartened if you don’t look picture-perfect immediately, as bruising and swelling will fade. Once you’ve allowed time for recovery, the surgery results will look much better than how they did at the start of your recovery journey. Once the expected recovery period is over, you can discuss any further worries with your surgeon, and you can both work together to make any steps towards improving or dispelling any negative feelings you may have.
Consider Your Finances
No doubt that we may all consider cosmetic surgery at one point or another in our lives, however briefly. Regardless of whether we actually go through with the considered procedure, one of the significant setbacks for most people is the expense and how we could fund the surgery. Suppose that you’re set on having plastic surgery. In that case, as you’re researching surgeons, which procedures they offer, and premises, you should also look at the expected costs and if the clinic can provide any guidance with funding the operation. Even if you have health insurance or purchased a separate policy, most insurance providers don’t cover cosmetic procedures on the grounds that they are not medically necessary – although it is worth double-checking this with your provider or if there are any exceptions.
Due to this, you’ll probably find that you’ll end up having to cover the majority of the costs for your surgery, including any hospital fees, overnight stay fees, and surgeon fees yourself. On the other hand, some clinics offer finance options, which allow you to pay over a set course of time or set up a payment plan, but this is dependable on the clinic and should be discussed with you during your consultation. Although we’re sure that your plastic surgeon will endeavour to ascertain that you have the most positive experience possible, surgery comes with risks, and sometimes problems will arise despite how many preventative measures you put in place. Therefore, it’s vital that you take out the necessary insurance which covers cosmetic surgery complications to make sure that you’re protected, and all risks are minimised. Take a look at the resources from Comet Assure, whose website is full of information relating to cosmetic surgery complications insurance. It can also help you with the correct questions to ask your intended surgeon and is dedicated to helping you choose the best provider so that you have the best surgery experience possible.
So long as you’re getting the procedure for yourself and doing something that will make you feel happy and better about yourself. We’re sure that it’ll be worth every expense and that your chosen provider will do their best to make sure you’re looked after so that no complications arise post-surgery.
