Many people get plastic surgery for medical reasons to correct conditions like a crooked nose that makes breathing difficult, but there’s no shame in cosmetic plastic surgery, either. You deserve to look your best and feel confident.
The number of people electing to have cosmetic plastic surgery continues to grow.1 Breast augmentation, face-lifts, and rhinoplasties are some of the more common procedures. Once you decide plastic surgery is the right choice for you, your next step is choosing your surgeon.
Common Types of Plastic Surgery
Almost 7 million people had reconstructive plastic surgery in 2020, and another 15.6 million had cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.2 The five most common cosmetic procedures in order of popularity include:
- Nose reshaping
- Eyelid surgery
- Face-lifts
- Liposuction (fat removal)
- Breast augmentation
People who chose reconstructive procedures often had tumors removed, laceration repairs, and face, mouth, or jaw reconstruction.
Benefits of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery can help you feel better about yourself. Wanting a better life or wanting to feel confident about how you look is not vain. Fixing something that made you self-conscious can improve your outlook on life and relieve the anxiety you feel in social situations.3 It can also improve your quality of life. For example, if droopy eyelids make it difficult to see or if you need a breast reduction to help address chronic back pain.
Beyond improving your mental health and physical pain, there are other potential health benefits to both reconstructive and plastic surgery, including:4
- Improved health habits due to wanting to keep up your new look
- Reduced risk of heart problems and diabetes following fat removal
- Reduced skin irritation once excess skin is removed
The extent to which people see these benefits varies from patient to patient and could depend on how much of a change you make.
What To Look For in a Plastic Surgeon
Once you decide to have plastic surgery, you must take the time to choose the right doctor. You will likely have several options, and you should consider several things before making a choice. You will have to live with this decision for a long time, if not your whole life, so choose carefully.5
Experience in Your Specific Procedure
Each part of your body is made differently. Breasts are primarily soft tissue, while noses contain tissue, cartilage, and bones. It takes a different skill set to perform each type of surgery.
How You Feel When You Meet Your Doctor and Staff
Plastic surgery can result in a drastic transformation, but even if you are going for something more subtle, you should be confident that your procedure will be safe and that your doctor will put you at ease. You must be comfortable enough to ask questions, disclose your medical history and trust that your surgeon and the staff are making the best recommendations for you. If at all in doubt, choose another surgeon.
Training and Board Certification
Do not be afraid to ask if your surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. People with training in other areas sometimes branch out to cosmetic surgery because it can be a lucrative practice. You cannot count on state or federal law to dictate that your surgeon is qualified.
An Aesthetic Sense That Gels With Yours
It can be hard to get an idea of the aesthetic sense of a plastic surgeon, but you can ask to see several sets of before and after pictures for your specific procedure. Look for people who are shaped like you or have the same issues you are trying to address.
Cost
You should never choose a plastic surgeon based only on cost, but there is nothing wrong with making that a serious consideration. Compare costs in your area to see how different surgeons stack up. If you prefer one surgeon over another who is less expensive, ask yourself how much you are willing to pay for that extra peace of mind. The cheaper surgeon may be more honest about pricing if everything but the cost is equal.
Choosing your plastic surgeon shouldn’t be done with just a scorecard. One doctor might check more boxes, but that doesn’t make them the best choice if they are missing the quality that is most important to you. Figure out your needs in order of priority so you have no doubts before surgery.
Final Thoughts About Plastic Surgery
It is essential that you ask a lot of questions to prepare for your plastic surgery. Follow all instructions from your doctor before your procedure, and ensure you have all your related expenses covered. Surgery can be stressful enough without adding other factors.6
Don’t be afraid to set up consults with multiple plastic surgeons to find one who is right for you. Ask each surgeon questions about your specific procedure, such as where they trained and how many procedures they have completed.
Learn More About Plastic Surgery and Other Body Treatments
You deserve to have the body and look you desire. To learn more about plastic surgery and other ways to improve your appearance and feel your best, visit My Body Treatment. Our collection of comprehensive articles is physician-reviewed to ensure you get the information you need in a format that is easy to digest.
SOURCES:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Overview.“
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: “Plastic Surgery Statistics Report.”
- VeryWell Health: “The Risks & Rewards of Plastic Surgery.”
- Excel Eye Center: “Surprising Health Benefits of Cosmetic Surgery.”
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery: “Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon.”
- Stanford Medicine: “Preparing for Plastic Surgery.”
