Cosmetic treatments have been on the rise for quite some time, with women and men seeking them out to make adjustments, address their perceived imperfections, and feel more confident about the image that they present to the world. There’s no reason to assume that the cosmetic surgery that you’re thinking about won’t be a success, but it is a decision that should take some consideration before you go under the knife. Here, we’re going to look at what you should be thinking about, and some of the steps you should take in preparation.
Find the right surgeon
First of all, you want to make sure that you’re choosing the right person for the job. A little research and you will find there are plenty of cosmetic surgeons to choose from. There are different aspects to consider to decide whether or not the surgeon is the right one for you. Their location can play a role, as you want to make sure they’re convenient and accessible. You should also choose a surgeon who specializes in the procedure that you’re looking to get done, with plenty of experience doing it before. You should also check to ensure that they’re a member of a relevant professional association, and this can be a good indicator that they meet certain indicators of skill, training, and care.
Meet the surgeon and discuss your options
Before any treatment plan goes forward, you’re going to go through a consultation with the plastic surgeon and their team. Having an idea of what to expect can help you communicate more clearly, and can also help you get a better idea of the kind of treatment that you can expect. Take the time to cast your eye over their offices, to think about how you are treated, and to ensure that you’re given the bedside manner you deserve. You don’t have to stick with a surgeon after a consultation, after all. During the consultation itself, be sure to think about what changes you want to make, your motivations, what your aims are, and the like. Don’t be afraid to write down and bring a list of questions if it helps you get the information that you need, as well.
Make sure you bring all your medical information
You want to make sure that the surgery is done as safely as possible, and that you’re given the best aftercare. As such, before you opt-in for a cosmetic treatment, you might want to arrange an appointment with your doctor, first, if you have any health concerns or any long-standing health issues that might potentially get in the way of the surgery. Of course, you should be open, honest, and comprehensive with your surgeon about your health history. You can bring your medical records with you for them, to ensure they have as much information as your doctors do.
Understand the procedure and risks
This is likely going to be a part of your consultation, but you should make sure that you understand what the procedure is going to involve before you agree to it. In most cases, a good plastic surgeon will go through the step-by-step of how the procedure is done, and may even have diagrams or visual aids to help explain it. However, there are also videos and images of plastic surgery procedures you can find online to help you see in more detail what is involved. Of course, every surgery comes with some level of risk of complication, as well. Risk levels can different between surgical and non-invasive procedures, as well as on whether you are a smoker, have a weakened immune system, experience any chronic health issues, and the like. You can take steps to lower your risk of plastic surgery complications, as well.
Know how you need to prepare for the surgery
Another thing that your surgeon is likely to cover during your consultation is what you can do to prepare for it. The preparations can differ depending on the type of procedure that you’re going in for, so you should make sure that you listen to their instructions and even ask them to write them down if you want to make sure there is zero chance of you misremembering them. A common request is that you fast before your surgery for a minimum of six hours, as this can reduce the risks of complications. Otherwise, make sure that you free up enough time for the surgery and recovery. For some procedures, you’re going to want to take at least a day off, while some non-invasive treatments can reliably be done within lunchtime.
Get a realistic idea of what the results will look like
You want to make sure that you have realistic expectations of what your treatment is going to entail, but this goes beyond what’s going to happen during the procedure itself. You want a good idea of what the results will look like. It’s worth knowing that how you look immediately after the procedure is very rarely the final result, some recovery is usually needed. Doctors can provide photo examples, and it’s a good idea to get an idea of what to look for in cosmetic surgery before and afters. This way, you can make sure that you’re choosing the right procedure to meet your aims and have an idea of what the eventual result might look like.
Take care during recovery
If you want the best results from your procedure going forward, then you have to make sure that you take care of yourself during your recovery. Again, your surgeon is likely to cover with you all of the recovery needed and provide some aftercare to prepare you for it. Prepare for a good recovery by listening to their instructions. You can make the home ready beforehand so that you have a comfortable place to lie or sit, as well as pre-cooked meals so that you don’t have to put as much effort into feeding yourself.
Consider whether further procedures are necessary
Some people find that a single procedure is not entirely enough to help them reach their cosmetic goals. This is not necessarily out of the ordinary. Of course, you should make sure that you give yourself time to heal fully and to see the results of the surgery in their complete form before you go thinking too far into the future. You might want to see the same surgeon again, provided they did a good job on the first procedure, to talk about how else you can meet your goals, as they are more likely to have a better understanding of them now, compared to someone brand new. However, you should give yourself some time to sit with yourself, rather than immediately racing for new solutions.
Get ready for the expense
The costs associated with cosmetic procedures can change from surgeon to surgeon, as well as from procedure to procedure. You should make sure to do your research, and don’t be coy about asking about costs ahead of time. The majority of health insurance plans aren’t going to cover cosmetic treatments, after all, so it’s likely going to be on you to make those payments. You might also want to look at payment plans provided by the surgeon you’re going with.
With the tips above, you can ensure that you’re amongst the most informed patients your eventual surgeon will have the pleasure of working with. When you have a much better expectation of what’s to come, you can make smarter decisions and enjoy better outcomes.
