Cosmetic plastic surgery is very common these days. If you are thinking about having cosmetic surgery, how can you make sure you achieve desired results? Follow these five steps to getting the best outcome from cosmetic surgery.
Step No. 1 -- Be Specific About Your Plastic Surgery Needs
Let’s say you think your nose is too big. You have researched facial plastic surgery specialists and are interviewing your top choices. Now is the time to be as specific and outspoken as you can about your needs.
Do you want your nose to look smaller? Exactly how much smaller? What areas in particular do you want changed? What do you want your results to look like? What is your vision of the best possible cosmetic surgery outcome? Some surgeons find it helpful for patients to bring in photographs of features they like.
Just remember that you are a paying customer. The more your surgeon understands your needs, the better he or she can give you the outcome you want. If any surgeon is reluctant to listen to your needs, or insists on handling your surgery in his or her own way, you’d be smart to select a different surgeon who is more willing to work with you.
Step No. 2 -- Verify Your Surgeon
Many cosmetic surgery candidates select their surgeon based on a “vibe” or “connection” they get when they meet the surgeon. While having a positive and energizing connection with your surgeon is great, it shouldn’t be the only factor in selecting a surgeon, particularly if you are looking for the best possible outcome.
Make sure you check thoroughly into the background of any surgeon you are considering. You will want to know where he attended medical school and completed a cosmetic surgery residency, what board certification(s) he has, if he has pioneered any new techniques in the field and if he is affiliated with any hospitals or medical schools.
Finally, you will want to learn all you can about the surgeon’s style of work. Looking at his before-and-after patient photographs is the best way to find out. Better surgeons will always make these available to new patients. Verifying your surgeon’s credentials is a smart way to help achieve the best cosmetic surgery outcome.
Step No. 3 -- Understand Your Cosmetic Surgery Procedure
Once you have selected a surgeon, you will want to learn all you can about your procedure and your surgeon’s office policies. Understanding all this information before your surgery can help you ensure a positive outcome afterwards.
Some questions you might want to have answered are: What does the surgery entail? What are the side effects? Are there any possible complications? How long should recovery take? Are revision surgeries and follow-up appointments available? It may be helpful for you to keep a file or notebook with all the information you have as a reference.
Step No. 4 -- Reduce Complication Risk to Improve Cosmetic Surgery Outcome
Complications are rare, but real risk with any cosmetic surgery. Complications may include excessive bleeding, reactions to anesthesia, infection and blood clots. Your surgeon should go over these risks very carefully with you before surgery.
He will also give you some pre-operative and post-operative instructions to follow. Typically, these recommendations will include having you stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking over-the-counter medications. Your surgeon may also have other instructions for you to follow regarding shaving, skin care, exercise or other activities.
While you may think the instructions are overly restrictive, keep in mind that they are for your benefit. Following your surgeon’s direction to the letter will greatly reduce your risk of complications from cosmetic surgery, setting you on the path to your best possible outcome.
Step No. 5 -- Follow Cosmetic Surgery Aftercare Instructions
Aftercare includes everything from the time your surgery is over to the time you can fully resume a regular lifestyle. Throughout this period, your cosmetic surgeon will give you instructions for taking medication, cleaning the surgical sites, using cosmetics and skin products and resuming physical and sexual activity.
The best thing you can do to have a positive surgery outcome is follow the surgeon’s instructions exactly as given. For example, even if you are feeling fine and ready to start playing volleyball again, you should wait until your doctor has cleared you for physical activity. Resuming activities, stopping medication and otherwise disregarding your doctor’s instructions may result in rupture, scarring or infection.
