Deciding to undergo plastic surgery is an exciting yet very serious decision and there are many factors that go into achieving a successful outcome. And many of those factors should be considered before you step foot into a doctor’s office. Before you spend the time to research a cosmetic surgeon or spend the money for a consultation, examine the following and make sure you’re ready to move ahead.
Expectations – Your expectations for what cosmetic surgery can do for you have to be realistic. No surgeon can make you “perfect” and you shouldn’t expect perfection to be the final outcome.
Your Health – Overall you should be healthy physically and mentally before committing to any type of surgery. If you have issues like uncontrolled diabetes, you are not currently a candidate for surgery.
And while cosmetic surgery can enhance your own self-image, it won’t magically fix relationship problems or make other people treat you differently. Analyze your reasons for wanting to change your body and your look and make sure it’s for the right reasons.
Costs – Cosmetic surgery costs can vary greatly, not just with the surgeon’s fees but also the facility fees. If the doctor you choose has his own surgical center, he can control the facility fee charge more so than if he performs his surgeries at another doctor’s facility or the local hospital. Also be aware that if the procedure you choose requires general anesthesia, the fees for the anesthesiologist will be added to the final cost.
The good news is that most cosmetic surgeons have financing programs available to their patients. While you need to be mindful of the costs, you should never choose your doctor solely based on price.
Complications and Insurance Coverage – In general, complication rates are fairly low with cosmetic surgery procedures. However, you need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Insurance won’t cover the cost of cosmetic procedures but often will cover the cost of the fees that result in dealing with complications. There are insurance companies that will not cover either the procedure or complications, so you would be responsible for all of the related expenses. Be sure to check with your insurance company so you know what your responsibilities are.
Smoking – Most surgeons recommend that if you smoke, you stop at least two weeks before a cosmetic surgical procedure. Smoking delays recovery and can cause other complications. See your regular physician if you feel you need a smoking cessation program.
Recovery – For some procedures, the at-home recovery time can be two to three weeks and for others, just a few days. Check with your employer to make sure you have enough vacation time or unpaid leave time so that you take as much recovery time as your surgeon recommends.
How to Find the Right Doctor – Now that you’ve done all the background research for yourself, it’s time to find the right doctor. There are so many avenues to finding just the right surgeon for your cosmetic procedure. The best place to start is to ask your friends that have had cosmetic procedures about their experiences and their results. You can also use the Internet to investigate your options. Once you’ve chosen a doctor, schedule a consultation and see if you and the doctor have good chemistry. Ask to see Before and After photos of the procedure you’re interested in and also ask to speak to past patients. If you’re not completely comfortable, trust your instincts and move on to another doctor. It will be worth your time to find the surgeon with the right credentials, a reputation for great results and that you feel comfortable with.
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