10 Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Having Plastic Surgery

Getting plastic surgery can not only improve your physical appearance but your mental well-being as well. However, there are many factors which you should consider before undergoing plastic surgery. Here are ten questions you should ask yourself before considering any type of plastic surgery.

1. Are You Healthy Enough to Have Plastic Surgery?

Before even considering plastic surgery, you should consider your overall health. Most people who pass common pre-surgery tests such as blood tests, chest X-rays, and an electrocardiogram (EKG) are excellent candidates for plastic surgery. 

Make sure your plastic surgeon is aware of your entire medical history. If you conceal health issues, your plastic surgeon will be unable to provide an accurate assessment. And if something goes wrong, you won’t have a leg to stand on! Lying to your surgeon absolves them of responsibility if complications arise.

2. What’s the Name of the Procedure and What Does It Entail?

Knowing the procedure’s name is not the same as knowing what it entails. This does not mean you need to know the specifics, such as the type of scalpel your plastic surgeon is using, but you should know if the procedure will produce the desired results.

Furthermore, it’s important to be aware of whether the procedure is appropriate for the body part for which you are seeking enhancement. You should also be aware of the procedure’s medical name so that you can confirm it when hospital or medical center personnel inquire.

3. What Are the Risks Associated With Your Procedure?

Plastic surgery is usually successful. However, you must be aware of the potential complications associated with the procedure(s) you are undergoing.

Infection is just one of the possible complications. Plastic surgery will also leave you with scars. Scars may not always form a nice fine line. Scars can sometimes become raised or widen. These are just a few of the risks you should be aware of before undergoing plastic surgery.

Another risk is that, despite perfect technique or what a plastic surgeon and their colleagues consider to be a good result, you may be dissatisfied with the final result. This happens when the procedure’s limitations are not thoroughly discussed prior to surgery.

4. What Are You Hoping to Gain From Your Surgery?

Clearly, an improvement in the contour of a specific body part is anticipated. You might even gain self-esteem as a result. If you expect anything more, you should be aware of the procedure’s limitations.

5. What Kind of Results Can You Expect?

Only what happens inside the operating room is under your plastic surgeon’s control. No matter how good your plastic surgeon is, he or she cannot guarantee a job promotion, a relationship, or an improved social life or social status. Depression or eating disorders will not be cured by plastic surgery.

Also, if you are unwilling to accept the procedure recommended by your plastic surgeon in order to achieve the best possible result—whether because you are concerned about larger scars or a long recovery time—you must be willing to accept a lesser result. Failure to follow post-surgery instructions can result in a poor outcome and, in some cases, exacerbate a complication.

6. Are There Alternatives to Undergoing Plastic Surgery?

This is critical to understand because plastic surgery is not without risks. Could you make changes to your diet? Could you move your body more and thus get more exercise? If you’ve given all other options a fair shot, plastic surgery may be a viable option for you. There is also the option of not having surgery at all.

7. Will You Be Able to Hide the Scars?

Scars are to be expected with plastic surgery! You should be aware of the location of your scars. This is especially important if you wear low-cut pants or shirts, bikinis, etc., or if your job requires you to expose your skin.

Don’t believe the marketing hype about plastic surgeons performing “scarless surgery.” Plastic surgeons are skilled at concealing or camouflaging scars and take pride in their incision closures, however rarely is a procedure. This is frequently used by patients to determine whether or not a procedure was successful. Do not be afraid to inquire about them.

8. What Will It Cost and Can You Afford It?

Plastic surgery is not inexpensive! Whether you pay cash or finance your surgery, you must first determine whether you can afford plastic surgery. Is there anything else in your life that will suffer if you spend money on plastic surgery? Are you willing to keep paying off your surgery even after you’ve recovered? Keep in mind that even if the outcome is less than ideal or there is a complication, you must still pay for your surgery.

9. Are You Willing to Go Through More Than One Procedure?

You might require revision surgery. Revision surgery in plastic surgery is not uncommon. Revision surgery entails having surgery done again to improve on the previous surgery. It could be a minor procedure requiring only local anesthesia, or it could be a more involved procedure with an additional cost.

10. Are You Able to Take the Appropriate Time off to Recover?

Depending on the procedure, you could be out of commission for several days or even weeks. You will require time off following your procedure to recover. And it isn’t just the initial aches, pains, and bruising that you will experience; after those have faded, your plastic surgeon may still order restrictions.

Can you afford to take time off if you work? This includes stay-at-home moms, whose work varies throughout the day. If you decide to use your vacation time, you must consider whether it is truly worth trading rest and relaxation for recovery time.