Posted July 13, 2017 in Plastic Surgery
Many people examine their bodies and faces in the mirror and find there are some characteristics they are unhappy with. Often, even with rigorous efforts, it is difficult for people to achieve their goals of reducing aging indicators or body fat with diet, exercise, or at-home treatments. Some may think about undergoing plastic surgery to change unwanted features. However, plastic surgery is surgery and should be taken seriously. There are some questions you should ask yourself before “going under the knife.”
What Are Your Goals?
There are many improvements a person can accomplish through plastic surgery. What are you looking to change? Some patients may be able to achieve their goals without having to undergo surgery if they desire minimal changes. More significant aspects, such as sagging skin and stubborn fat, can only be reduced through a surgical procedure. Before scheduling your consultation, be sure to know what you want to target and what your overall goals are for undergoing surgery. This will help you achieve the results you want and create the best communication between you and your doctor.
Have You Tried Other Options?
Many people opt for plastic surgery because they want a “magical fix” to their body or aging troubles. However, plastic surgery should only be considered if you cannot achieve your goals through other avenues. When you have a characteristic of your face or body you would like to target, you should ask yourself whether you have tried every way possible to make your desired improvements without surgery. Practicing a healthy lifestyle could help to make changes to a person’s appearance. The best candidates have already tried traditional anti-aging or weight loss methods and have found little to no results.
Are You Realistic in Your Expectations?
The goal of plastic surgery is not to create dramatic changes but rather to restore a younger, improved version of a person’s natural features. A patient should be mentally healthy for a surgical procedure. They should realize that surgery involves both the doctor and the patient working together to achieve an overall goal. The ideal plastic surgery patient is willing to participate fully in the surgical process and maintain the results post-surgery.
Are You Physically Healthy?
Physical health is of the utmost importance when undergoing a surgical procedure. Patients should not have any major medical issues or any infections in the target area. The ideal patient is a nonsmoker or willing to quit for two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery. Before surgery, patients should refrain from taking certain medications, such as aspirin, herbal supplements, and vitamins.
Have Your Done Your Research?
Once you have decided you are physically and mentally healthy for surgery, it is important that you research everything about your procedure. Knowing what the procedure entails, what recovery will be like, and what results to expect will help you prepare for your consultation and your surgery. You can reference the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s list of questions to ask your plastic surgeon.
Are You Aware of the Risks and Complications?
Any plastic surgery procedure will entail some risk of complications. The latest advancements in plastic surgery have allowed for safer, more efficient surgical processes, but even with proper medical practice, there can sometimes be some complications involved. Some of the common risks and complications may include:
- Bleeding
- Anesthesia risks
- Infection
- Unfavorable scarring
- Swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Bruising
Patients who are interested in plastic surgery should schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Morales. If you would like to learn more about a particular procedure, such as rhinoplasty or breast augmentation, schedule your consultation with Dr. Morales today! Contact us by calling (214) 827-8407 or by filling out our online contact form.
