Cosmetic surgery is a very serious and permanent thing, and so the decision to get plastic surgery should not be taken lightly. There are many types of cosmetic procedures, and the most popular ones include:
- Cosmetic dentistry (e.g. veneers, crowns, implants, etc.)
- Ear surgery (Otoplasty)
- Forehead Lift
- Dermabrasion
- Breast lift (Mastopexy)
- Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
- Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Liposuction
- Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)
- Nose reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
- Breast augmentation (Augmentation)
- Cheek implants
If you have been wanting to get cosmetic surgery for a while now, and are on the brink of booking your first consultation, read this article first. You’re a good candidate for plastic surgery if you can say “yes” to the following 5 points:
1. You’re doing it for yourself and no one else
Seriously altering your appearance has the capacity to drastically change your life, for the better but also for the worse. If you have never liked the shape of your breasts, for example, or you feel as if your face is sagging, the decision to have a breast augmentation or a facelift, respectively, could seriously enhance your self-esteem and improve your life on the whole.
However, it’s of vital importance that the decision to have a procedure on your breasts or your face, for example, is a decision that you have reached alone, and has been no way influenced by anyone else. At the end of the day, your body belongs to you, and no one else has the right to tell you what you should or shouldn’t change.
So, if you can confidently say that the decision to embark on the cosmetic procedure journey is wholly yours, you are ready to book a consultation.
2. You’ve done your research
It’s good practice to research into anything before you commit to it, especially when you are considering getting a cosmetic procedure.
It’s recommended that before you book a consultation you do your homework on the procedure. You should endeavour to find out everything there is to know about the procedure itself – how long it takes, the science behind it, whether you’ll need to be administered with a general anaesthetic, the side-effects you may experience, the recovery time and, importantly, the risks.
You should also do your homework on the surgeon – check their certification and experience, look at their proven work, find out what area they specialise in, and check out testimonials and reviews (including reviews that aren’t posted on their website). By gathering this information you can gauge a pretty well-rounded view of the procedure and the surgeon who can perform it for you. Then, with this information, you can weigh up whether or not it’s right for you.
3. You have the right people around you
It’s of vital importance that if you are considering having a cosmetic procedure you have a supportive network of friends and friends around you. After you undergo a big surgical procedure you will be too fatigued and sore to properly look after yourself, and you will have to rely on other people to take care of you.
It is essential that you have someone to drive you home from the surgery practice on the day of the procedure, and someone to stay with you on the first night to ensure you are well and are as comfortable as possible throughout the night.
If you have undergone a very serious cosmetic procedure you will need friends and family to help you in the days and weeks that follow. Small tasks and errands such as doing a grocery shop or doing the school run won’t be accessible to you, so you’ll need to rely on those around you.
If you don’t have a solid support system in place during your recovery period, you are not ready to get cosmetic surgery.
4. You are in good health
Being is good health is imperative before you have any surgery, and reputable surgeons will not perform cosmetic surgery on you if you are not. This means that you should not be suffering from any long-term conditions that are untreated, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart problems. However, having a long-term condition doesn’t necessarily mean you are closed off to cosmetic surgery altogether, but it means that you should discuss the risks with your doctor and surgeon beforehand.
It’s also important to note that smoking can seriously hinder the healing process, and so surgeons will often advise that you don’t smoke in the lead up to the procedure and in the weeks that follow. If you are a smoker, you should familiarise yourself on the risks and complications that could incur if you don’t, at least temporarily, quit smoking.
5. You have time to recover
When deciding whether surgery is right for you, you should check your schedule to see if you can take time off from your life to recover from the surgery.
The recovery time of cosmetic procedures vary greatly, but should always be taken very seriously. A tummy tuck, for example, can take weeks to heal, and you may be unable to exercise or do any rigorous activity for 3-4 weeks. A breast augmentation, on the other hand, can take 4-6 weeks.
Cosmetic dentistry will generally require less recovery time, but you will still need to allow at least two days to feel your normal self again, especially if the procedure involves being put under general anaesthetic.
Scheduling in recovery time is more troublesome for some than it is for others, especially if they have a high-pressure job where they are unable to take time off, or if they have minimal childcare support. However, if you can block out time in your diary to recovery from an operation, you are a great candidate.
Conclusion
The decision to get cosmetic surgery should not be taken lightly, but as long as you are educated and prepared, and know that you 100% want it done, go ahead and enjoy the results!
