Many people turn to plastic surgery as a way to make a change in their appearance and enhance or alter certain parts of their body. They want to address a part of the body that has always bothered them or that they have wanted to enhance so it will look more like how they envision its overall appearance in their mind. When it is time for patients to make the final decision about undergoing plastic surgery, it is important that they know what to expect during the entire plastic surgery process. Patients that are prepared when undergoing a plastic surgery procedure have realistic expectations and are less likely to be surprised or disappointed by the final results.
What Every Patient Should Expect
It is a fact of life that each patient is unique. The final results enjoyed by one patient are not necessarily the same final results that will be seen by another person. However, when it comes to having plastic surgery, there are some things that every patient should know before they undergo plastic surgery:
- Realistic Expectations before the Surgery – There are many patients that do not completely understand the results that can be achieved by plastic surgery. They might have done some research but they are still suffering from misconceptions about what can be achieved by certain procedures. These patients need to have a consultation appointment with their surgeon before they have surgery performed on their body. They should be informed about what is involved in their procedure of choice as well as be confident that they are making the right decision. In addition, there are some patients that expect nothing less than perfection with their results. Perfection means something different to everyone. It is better to expect an overall improvement in the treated area and not perfection with the final results. As mentioned above, patients that have realistic expectations are less likely to be surprised or disappointed by their final results.
- Risks – There is always a possibility of risks with any cosmetic surgery. No matter how experienced a doctor is at performing a certain procedure, there is still a chance of patients suffering some serious complications including bleeding or infections. It is always best to anticipate these risks before having surgery.
- Cost – It is reasonable to expect a plastic surgery procedure to be paid out of pocket by the patient. Unless the procedure is being performed for a medical reason (such as rhinoplasty to improve the ability of the patient to breathe), most insurance companies will not cover the cost of cosmetic surgery. Depending on the procedure of choice, the cost can run anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Patients need to budget wisely and be prepared to spend the necessary amount of money to achieve the desired results. They should also talk to their doctor and see if any, or all, of the procedure is covered by insurance.
- Expectations Following the Surgery – Make sure to take enough time off work to get the necessary amount of rest and recovery after a plastic surgery procedure. The recovery period depends on the procedure that is performed and it can range from several days to several weeks or months. It is important to follow all of the post-op instructions assigned by the doctor to make a full and complete recovery. There could be some mild pain or discomfort following the procedure but this can often be handled by pain medication prescribed by the surgeon. In addition to the mild amount of pain or discomfort, there might be some swelling, redness, burning, inflammation and itching after the surgery. There is nothing to worry about as these are normal side effects suffered by most patients. These conditions normally go away without the need for a follow-up procedure and they should not last very long.
Schedule a Plastic Surgery Consultation Appointment
It is important to remember that the results of plastic surgery vary between each person. The first step in any plastic surgery procedure is scheduling a consultation appointment with the doctor of choice. The surgeon will perform a thorough consultation to determine if the patient is an ideal candidate for cosmetic surgery. The consultation is also a time to ask questions and get a better understanding of both the positive and negative aspects of the procedure of choice. Patients should also ask to see “before and after” photos of actual patients to get a better idea of the results that can be provided by the surgeon.
Plastic surgery can provide long lasting results that are natural in appearance. The results can also help to improve the self-confidence of a person and give them the appearance they have always desired. Knowing what to expect before, and after, any type of plastic surgery procedure is one of the most important steps in being happy with the final results.
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