If you're thinking about cosmetic surgery, there are a few things that you should consider beforehand. These include: making sure you fully understand your motives, having time to explore all of your options, becoming familiar and informed about the realistic results that cosmetic surgery can achieve, ensuring you know the costs and how you will fund your procedure, listening to pre and post operation advice and, knowing the risks and recovery time of your cosmetic surgical procedure.
An appreciation of all these things will help you make a decision about having cosmetic surgery. Often reputable clinics have a cooling off period after a consultation to allow you to digest and reflect on all the information you have gathered, so that if and when you go ahead with cosmetic surgery you are fully informed and certain you would like to proceed.
1. Do it for the right reasons
Cosmetic surgery is elective and can be major surgery so you shouldn’t make a rash decision or do it for the wrong reasons. Your choice to have cosmetic surgery should be considered and be because you want to improve an area of your body that you’re not happy with and feel more confident with the way you look. Cosmetic surgery may improve your self-esteem and confidence but it should not be considered if you’re pinning your hopes on it changing and improving other elements of your life or, if you’re doing it for someone else.
2. Do your research
It’s important to research your cosmetic surgeon and the clinic or hospital setting where they operate. Don’t just accept their claims for excellence of care.
For peace of mind it’s important to choose a consultant who: is GMC registered and on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery, holds an FRCS (Plast) or FRCS in plastic surgery qualification, works or has worked as an NHS consultant plastic surgeon and, holds membership for an organisation like BAAPS or BAPRAS.
Reputable healthcare providers, such as Ramsay Health Care UK, work alongside consultants who meet these criteria and they are inspected by the health regulatory body called the Care Quality Commission.
3. Have realistic expectations
Cosmetic surgery aims to improve a body part that you’re not content with and potentially improve your self-esteem.
Your consultant will discuss with you the realistic improvements that your chosen cosmetic surgery can achieve for you. Every procedure is tailored to an individual and their specific requirements.
4. Don’t go overboard
Your cosmetic surgeon will aim to enhance or refine a body part to improve your overall look whilst retaining your natural physical characteristics so that you still look like you.
5. The costs
Most cosmetic surgery procedures aren’t covered on the NHS or by health insurance plans. You’ll need to be aware of the total cost of your cosmetic surgery including any follow-up care.
Some clinics offer the reassurance of all-inclusive package prices with no hidden extras to pay or competitive finance options to fund your treatment.
6. Be prepared to follow pre and post-operative advice
If you’re a smoker your cosmetic surgeon will strongly advise you to stop smoking altogether or at least for two to four weeks before and after your surgery. Smoking significantly compromises your body's ability to heal and recover after surgery as well as increasing your risk of infection and other complications.
Your consultant may also offer recommendations regarding your alcohol consumption, prescription medications and, diet and exercise. You should listen to this guidance as it will support your welfare and the success of your operation. For example, following your cosmetic surgery you’ll need to be active enough to prevent the unlikely but possible occurrence of blood clots, chest infection, or constipation.
7. The risks of your procedure
Many cosmetic surgery procedures are major surgery and as such they carry the possibility of complications occurring such as excessive bleeding or infection at the surgical site. Your cosmetic surgeon should discuss in detail the risks of the specific surgery you’re considering. You need to understand these risks.
8. Recovery time
Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to give an estimate of how long in general patients take to recover from specific cosmetic surgeries. You can organise your best recovery plan based on this information and put in place any personal or professional measures to make your recovery easier and more amenable.