With so much media attention surrounding plastic surgery, it appears that everyone is either a fan or a critic. For someone who is inquiring about the benefits of cosmetic surgery and whether or not they would be a good candidate, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction.
The truth is that cosmetic surgery can be rewarding, beneficial and low risk, providing you are a good candidate and work with an experienced team of doctors who inform you of the pros and cons in your particular case.
How do you know if you ARE a good candidate? Here are some things to take into consideration.
How Healthy are You?
In general, people who are healthy and physically active are the best candidates for cosmetic surgery. They heal faster, respond well to medication and have a lowered risk of infection and complications. A cosmetic surgeon will want to know about your current health as well your medical background. People who have chronic disorders like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or depression may not make good candidates for plastic surgery.
What is Your Lifestyle Like?
Do you drink or smoke? Some surgeons may ask you to quit smoking two to four weeks before and after the surgery. This is due to the fact that smoking interferes with the body’s ability to naturally heal itself. If you takeany medications, vitamins or herbal supplements, also let your surgeon know, as some of these products can cause bleeding or interfere with medications used during surgery.
What are Your Expectations?
It’s common for people to have unrealistic expectations going into surgery, and then they are disappointed with the final results. Your surgeon will want to make sure that you have a healthy attitude before going into surgery. No one should feel pressured to have surgery because they are unhappy with their physical appearance, and motives like this will only leave you feeling disappointed. Determine what your goals and keep your expectations realistic.
Are You Prepared for a Surgery?
Even though cosmetic surgery is common and often low risk, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t risks. You are still going through a surgery, and you will need anesthesia as well as pain medications after the procedure. You will need to take excellent care of yourself, such as by eating fresh foods, drinking plenty of water, changing bandages and wearing sunscreen. Anyone considering cosmetic surgery should be mentally and physically prepared to go through the procedure.
Have questions? Find out if you are a good candidate by scheduling a consultation with one of our doctors!