Plastic and cosmetic surgery interest is at an all time high, with numerous different procedures available to fix any and all matter of concerns, from mummy makeovers to breast lifts. Unfortunately, with the growth in demand for plastic surgery, there has also been an increase in the number of botched surgeries and inexperienced surgeons and, because of this, has led to more and more people being wary and cautious about the plastic surgeries they have planned.
Thanks to technology, cosmetic surgery has become a lot safer and more advanced, which is mostly in part to the huge growth in demand. Plastic and cosmetic surgery has done a lot of good in that it not only helps people be more comfortable with their appearance, but has also helped the world of medicine develop massively.
If you are considering a plastic or cosmetic surgery procedure, then you’re likely to have plenty of questions and lead up appointments, but there is more to plastic surgery procedures than just turning up and having the surgery, fully recovered a few days later. As plastic surgery involves such medical and technical processes, this then opens up a world of new questions. With this in mind, here are 5 things to know about plastic surgery, which you might not have asked.
Is your surgeon reputable?
Once you have decided to have plastic surgery, the next step is finding a surgeon or clinic that are able to carry out the surgery. Because of the popularity of plastic surgery, there are plenty of horror stories about botched procedures and surgeries, but it is important to remember that for every bad review, there are likely 100 positive ones, so try to avoid letting this put you off. But, it is important to find a reputable and trusted surgeon that specialises in the surgery field of which you are interested.
Plastic and cosmetic surgery is very safe and straightforward when carried out by a qualified and experienced surgeon, so be sure to do plenty of research beforehand and take a look at their before and after photos to see if you are happy with the final results of previous surgeries. There are likely to be plenty of reviews online, so be sure to check these and take some time to read them. You should also consider booking a consultation with the surgeon or surgeons that you are interested in before making a final decision. They will be able to discuss the procedure with you and answer any questions you may have.
Will you need to take time off?
Some plastic and cosmetic surgeries, such as botox and fillers, take just an hour or so to complete and usually mean that you can return to work the same or next day, depending on any swelling and bruising that can occur following. However, more invasive procedures and surgeries, such as breast implant replacement and tummy tucks, will require more recovery time and may even result in a stay in hospital or a period of bed rest following your procedure.
This means that you may need to take a week or two off work in order to aid the recovery process and ensure proper healing. Before your surgery, be sure to ask what the recommended recovery time is so that you can plan this into your day to day life and set up any childcare arrangements.
Are you financially prepared?
Unless you are getting your cosmetic surgery on the NHS, then you will have to pay for your surgery, as it is likely you will need to go private. Cosmetic surgery pricing can vary massively, depending on the procedure that you are having and the surgeon/clinic you are having it at, as well as the aftercare procedures in place. You should take the price into consideration, as it is likely to be quite a large sum of money, so you should see if you can actually afford the procedure and any follow up procedures or appointments, as well as potential insurance costs.
Avoid any deals or procedures that seem too cheap, and steer clear of travelling abroad for any treatments and procedures. Whilst these surgeries are often much cheaper, plastic surgery isn’t as moderated and regulated as it is in the UK and your health is paramount and if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
Typically speaking, what you pay for is what you get, so it is vital that you do some research into the surgery and surgeon/clinic you are interested in and get an idea of their rates and fees. You might find that aftercare stay in a private facility comes with an additional fee, or you have to pay for meals or after-surgery painkillers, so be sure to know all the potential costs that you are expected to pay.
Will the results be permanent?
Depending on the cosmetic surgery or procedure you are having, the results will either be temporary or permanent. Breast augmentation is an example of a cosmetic treatment that permanently increases breast size, whereas botox treatments need to be redone every 6 months or so. Alternatively, there are some sources that say breast size can be increased without surgery, but the findings are disputed. Be sure that the procedure or treatment that you are having is what you expect, so that you are not left having costly follow-up procedures every few months.
You should also be prepared for any complications that may occur. As with any medical procedure, plastic and cosmetic surgery carries its own risks and complications. Whilst technology and surgeon education does make complications much more rare, things do still happen so it’s best to be prepared. Speak to your surgeon about your procedure and any possible side effects that could potentially happen, so that you are aware of any potential scenarios.
Do you know what to expect with your recovery?
Following your plastic or cosmetic surgery or procedure, don’t expect your “after” body to look the same as the photos you saw prior to your surgery. You need to be patient when it comes to your results and realise that your body won’t look the same after surgery. It can take a week or two for swelling and bruising to subside, especially for larger and more invasive procedures, and even a couple of months for your skin to completely recover from plastic surgery.
After this, you can expect your body to look the way that you hoped prior to your surgery, but if you notice any issues such as prolonged healing, uneven scarring or regular swelling, then be sure to discuss this with your surgeon, who can help to rule out any issues.
Conclusion
Plastic and cosmetic surgery is a big decision to make, but there are some situations where it might be necessary due to medical reasons. It’s best to know all the information you can get prior to your surgery or even initial consultation, especially if you are slightly undecided in regards to the surgery.
Depending on the surgery you had in mind, it could be a relatively large surgery, so will require more mental and physical preparation and also recovery time, so this is something to take into account. There are a lot of things that people don’t take into account when it comes to plastic and cosmetic surgery and there is a lot of information that is brushed over in terms of surgery knowledge, which can leave patients with unexpected side effects or a prolonged recovery time.
