Am I A Good Candidate For Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic procedures continue to increase in popularity, with nearly 20 million procedures performed in the United States each year alone. There are procedures to help alter pretty much any physical trait that one would want to address, but something that often gets overlooked is what makes someone a good candidate for a cosmetic procedure to begin with.

Here at Cosmetic Town, our goal is always to help you make safe and informed decisions in regards to any cosmetic surgery you may be considering, and in this article, we’re going to discuss 7 key factors that make up the ideal candidate for a cosmetic procedure.

You can also check out this video to hear us discuss this topic as well. 

• Good Overall Health - This is possibly the most important factor to take into consideration when considering getting a cosmetic procedure. This is particularly true for certain surgeries that can be quite taxing on the body, such as tummy tucks, though it should always be considered regardless of the surgery.

Patients with pre-existing medical conditions need to discuss these with their physician to make sure they’re not at higher risk for complications. This also applies to anyone who has a compromised immune system, as this could negatively impact their healing process and lead to further complications and place them at higher risk of infections.

• Emotional Readiness - While the idea of fixing something about your body that you’re currently not happy with may seem like a walk in the park, the reality is that it often comes with its own set of emotional baggage. Whether the change you are making is temporary or permanent, you need to discuss the potential emotional ramifications that can result from making a physical alteration to your body. While many people may be thrilled with the results right away, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility of an adjustment period, where you may need to learn to love your new appearance - even if it’s exactly what you wanted.
• Be Willing To Ask Questions… Lots of Them - If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, no matter how big or small, it’s important that you’re willing to ask your doctor any and all questions you have before you have the procedure. For various reasons, it’s quite common for patients to hold back from doing this. Whether they’re afraid of asking “dumb questions”, or simply don’t have the confidence to speak up, you need to be able to push past any uncomfortable feelings that may arise and speak honestly with your surgeon about all of your concerns.
• Tell People About Your Procedure - While you’re certainly not required to publicize to the entire world about a cosmetic surgery you’re having done, it is very important that you feel comfortable enough confiding in close friends and family about the procedure. Depending on the nature of the work you’re having done, the recovery period can be quite daunting both physically and emotionally, and having the support of friends and family can be a game changer. This will also help alleviate any shame or embarrassment you may be feeling about having work done, and you’ll likely find that the people that love you are way more supportive than you realize. This will also help you build confidence leading up to the surgery, which will put you in a much better headspace.
• Manage Expectations - While some cosmetic procedures deliver results almostinstantaneously, the majority of them require a decent amount of downtime and recovery before the final results are seen. Make peace with this beforehand so that you’re not disappointed when you don’t see the results you want one week after surgery. Also keep in mind that as much as we’ve advanced in the world of cosmetic surgery, there are still limitations and “perfection” does not exist. Make sure that your expectations are realistic and that you’re not setting yourself for disappointment by wanting to achieve a final outcome that simply may not be possible.
• Financial Considerations - Cosmetic procedures can be expensive, and it’s important to take your own financial situation into account when making a decision. If you’re someone with limited funds, don’t let yourself fall into the trap of “bargain shopping” for a cosmetic surgeon. Most procedures have permanent effects, and you don’t want the price of a procedure to be the sole determining factor when making your decision. This can lead not only to a negative physical outcome, but can also cost you more financially in the long run should you need to have another procedure to repair any damage that was done.

This isn’t to say that there aren’t good physicians with competitive pricing, but make sure that you’re covering all your bases when choosing a physician, not just the financial ones. If you’re not able to find someone within your current budget, you can either wait a while longer to save up some money, or see if the facility offers low-interest financing or payment plans.

• Do It For Yourself - Lastly, make sure that you are getting a cosmetic procedure because it’s something that you want to do for yourself and your own happiness. It’s imperative that you go into the procedure with a baseline level of self-love, and that you’re having work done because you want to have it done - not because of what society or anyone else in your life may think.

While there may be other factors to consider, we believe this a great foundation to have for anyone considering cosmetic surgery. We hope this brings clarity to what can often be a confusing topic to navigate. 

- BJ