Deciding if Plastic Surgery is for You

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Let’s say you’ve often thought of changing something about your body. Perhaps you’ve never liked your nose, maybe you would secretly like to have a facelift, or it could be that you’ve always wondered how much better you’d feel if your breasts were larger.

Is plastic surgery an option for you, or should you put it out of your mind for once and for all?

The step from thinking about cosmetic surgery to considering it seriously is a big one. The Mayo Clinic, a very trustworthy source of health information, suggests you consider these factors.

Expectations: Examine your expectations of cosmetic surgery carefully. Know that the procedure you’re considering will give you improvement, not a major transformation. It won’t suddenly qualify you to be a runway model nor make you look like you did in high school twenty years ago. Neither can plastic surgery land you a job or a sweetheart.

Expense: Plastic surgery is generally not covered by insurance. Unless you suffered a traumatic injury, such as a broken nose, or can demonstrate medical necessity, like aches and pains from overly large breasts, you will have to shoulder all the costs of your procedure yourself.

Notice the word “costs.” Be aware that the fee your surgeon charges is just part of the tab. You’ll also have to pay for the surgical facility, the anesthesiologist, prescriptions and other pre- and post-surgery products and any tests you may need prior to the operation.

Risks: Even if you prepare properly for surgery, don’t smoke and are in good health, problems are still possible. Excess bleeding, swelling and infection are risks that are common to any surgical procedure. Cosmetic procedures can also result in adverse outcomes like asymmetry and persistent numbness. Research the risks of the particular procedure you’re considering thoroughly and think about whether they are acceptable to you.

Recovery: Your prospective surgeon can give you a general idea about what to expect during recovery—make sure you inquire about the specifics. It’s typical for cosmetic surgeons to advise you to take about a week off work for many procedures, but bruising, swelling and soreness may persist much longer than that. If you have a facelift, it's likely that you'll look a little puffy and discolored for a couple of weeks. If you have surgery on your breasts or abdomen, you may be able to return to most activities but not lift anything—like a child—for a while. You should truly understand how your recovery will probably progress and what you might do to ensure it goes smoothly.

Psychological factors: Patient reactions to plastic surgery results cover a wide range of feelings, as you might imagine. Many women say they feel pleased with the outcome. Some who have waited a long time to address a prominent feature—such as a large nose—feel relief after surgery. Occasionally a woman will even express joy upon realizing her face has been rejuvenated or her figure restored after childbirth.

While it’s reasonable to anticipate you’ll react positively to your surgical results—most women do—it’s not reasonable to count on more than that. Plastic surgery is not a cure for an underlying psychological issue such as depression. It can’t solve problems with relationships or change your basic outlook on life.

If you do decide to take the plunge and have cosmetic surgery, the Mayo Clinic advises you to research and understand the credentials of your prospective surgeon and the facility at which you’ll be having your procedure. This means you need to do more than browse websites—you should also understand terms, acronyms and certifications. Schedule consultations with any cosmetic surgeons you’re seriously considering, and take a list of questions with you to the appointment.

To read the recommended questions and find out more about what the Mayo Clinic has to say about plastic surgery, visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/SN00006.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.