As you age, you may start to question how well your natural, organic skincare routine is working for you. You’ve tried all those wrinkle creams and fought the signs of aging. You’ve also battled the droop by shaping your body beyond what many thought was naturally possible.
But you’re starting to notice your assets don’t look as good as they once did, and you want to preserve them longer. So, you’re starting to consider alternatives like cosmetic surgery to give you that natural lift that you’re seeking. But you’re not 100% sure if cosmetic surgery is right for you.
Let’s look at 4 steps to help you decide whether cosmetic surgery is right for you. These may help you decide whether to do further research.
Cosmetic surgery worldwide is big business. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2019, the top 10 surgical and nonsurgical procedures globally were:
Surgical Procedures
A total of 11,363,569 surgical procedures were carried out in 2019.
- Breast augmentation saw over 1.795 million operations, down 3.6% from 2018.
- Liposuction: over 1.704 million operations performed, down 1.6% from 2018.
- Eyelid surgery: over 1.259 million operations were performed, up 14.5% from 2018.
- Abdominoplasty: over 924,000 operations were performed, up 4.0% from 2018.
Nonsurgical Procedures
There were a total of 13,618,735 nonsurgical procedures carried out in 2019.
- Botulinum toxin: 6.271 million operations performed, up 2.9% from 2018.
- Hyaluronic acid: 4.315 million procedures performed, up 15.7% from 2018.
- Hair removal with 1.042 million procedures performed, up 13.8% on 2018 figures.
- Nonsurgical fat reduction saw 462,769 procedures, down 2.2% from 2018.
- Photo rejuvenation: 391,415 procedures performed, down 10.4% from 2018 figures.
In a survey conducted by a leading British magazine of a thousand (1000) women, one hundred and ten (110) of these had undergone surgery, with breast enhancements and nose jobs being the most prominent procedures. Of these women, over seventy percent (70%) said cosmetic surgery had definitely improved their lives. However, all had said that bad operations, pain, and infection after surgery were significant concerns before they agreed to surgery.
This concern still exists for many today as cosmetic surgery comes with risks. Therefore, you need to know exactly what you want done and why. You should also know what the procedure entails and how long you will need to recuperate afterward. Also, consider your doctor’s credentials and the facility’s. Don’t let a smooth-talking surgeon or clinic sell you a facelift when you only want to remove those bags under your eyes.
Deciding If Cosmetic Surgery Is For You: Step 1: What do you want done and why?
The first question you need to ask yourself is: What do you want to change about yourself, and why? Are you seeking to correct a physical abnormality? Do you want to reverse the signs of aging? Are you seeking aesthetic changes to help you feel more confident?
If you’re not sure how to answer this question, grab a pen and paper and list what you do and don’t like about your appearance. Then, next to the aspects you don’t like about yourself, write down how you’d like to change them. If you’ve listed cosmetic surgery as one of your options, then it’s time to do a little research.
Visit an online search engine. In the search box, type the part of your body you want to change, such as ‘nose’, and then add the words ‘cosmetic surgery’. Next, look through the results. First, find the official name of the surgery you want.
Once you know the name of your surgery, you can find out what to expect from the procedure. Plenty of before-and-after galleries let you see the results of various types of cosmetic surgery. When you look through these galleries, keep in mind that individual experiences will differ. At least you can get an idea of what surgery can help you achieve.
Deciding If Cosmetic Surgery Is For You: Step 2: What Does the Procedure Entail?
Many people overlook what the procedure actually involves because they focus only on the results. However, you need to know the procedure costs, what happens during the procedure, the risks involved, what happens when surgery doesn’t go as expected, and what results are actually possible for you. While you can look through before-and-after galleries, they won’t show exactly how you will look because your body isn’t the same as other people’s. So, be realistic rather than picturing yourself looking like someone else.
It’s easy to fantasise; we get that. But now is not the time for your imagination to run away. You need to be realistic and understand what will happen to you and your body during the cosmetic procedure, and after.
To understand what the procedure entails, research and learn more about it. There are plenty of videos about plastic surgery you can watch to learn what actually happens during the procedure and, as a result, what you can expect. By educating yourself about your options and the protocols surgeons follow, you can feel more confident in your choice.
Also, look for reviews from people who have had the cosmetic surgery you’re considering, and listen to their experiences and opinions. YouTube is a great source for these videos and often gives you a realistic perspective on what to expect. Plus, in some cases, these videos highlight what can go wrong and how others have fixed issues they’ve encountered.
Deciding If Cosmetic Surgery Is For You: Step 3: How long will it take to recuperate after the surgery?
Because they’re excited about possibly finding an answer, many people don’t consider how long recovery and aftercare will take or how it will affect their daily life. Recovery varies depending on the procedure’s complexity and site. By knowing how long you’ll need to recuperate, you can plan before surgery to rest and get the best results.
Deciding If Cosmetic Surgery Is For You: Step 4 What are the credentials of the doctor and the facility?
If you’ve done all this research and still want to learn more about the procedure, the next step is to find a reputable surgeon. Most people will go to their local doctor for a referral at this time in their journey. They trust their practitioner and value their opinion, so it makes sense to ask for advice on who to consult.
Whether you find a surgeon by referral or word-of-mouth, you still need to review the credentials of the cosmetic practitioner and the clinic, facility, or hospital you plan to attend. You can do this by looking at online reviews. If you’re still happy with your choice, then book an appointment to meet the surgeon. At this appointment, you can ask more about the procedure, the doctor’s credentials, and the facility.
InShape Key Takeaways
- You are the only one who can decide if cosmetic surgery is for you or not.
- Don’t let anyone pressure you into having a procedure you are unsure about.
- Do research, research, and more research before deciding.
- Know what you want done and why, then learn as much as you can about the procedure.
- Be realistic. Your body is not the same as someone in a gallery. Don’t assume you’ll look like them after the procedure.
- Read positive and negative reviews so you have a balanced perspective to base your decision on.
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