Top 10 tips before considering any cosmetic surgery
1. Know your practitioner
Select a qualified, reputable practitioner to perform your procedure
and research that practitioner thoroughly. Find out how long they have
been practicing, what qualifications they offer, which areas or
procedures they specialise in, and you will slowly get an idea whether
they are the right doctor for you.
2. Meet them in person
It is crucial that you meet the doctor or surgeon who will carry out
your procedure before the day of your treatment. Rather surprisingly,
not all practices demand that patients meet the practitioner who will
deliver the procedure in advance. If you are advised that it is not
possible to meet in person with the doctor ahead of treatment, you
should not progress any further and choose to go elsewhere. Any
reputable practitioner will demand that they meet the patient themselves
beforehand. It is also important that you feel comfortable with your
doctor and that you trust them.
3. Research the procedure
The internet provides a wealth of information about specific cosmetic
procedures so it’s easier than ever to do your research. Watch videos
of procedures being carried out, read the stories of people who have
already undergone the procedure and engage in conversation on reputable
forums. All of this will help you to make an informed decision about
whether this is the right procedure for you. Remember that there is
wealth of information, but also that there may be conflicting
information; it is important to verify this all with your potential
practitioner.
4. Understand the risks
There are risks associated with every cosmetic procedure, however
non-invasive they are. During the consultation stage your practitioner
should be open and honest with you about the potential risks or dangers
involved. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, particularly if there is
something that concerns you or that you do not understand. Any
practitioner who claims there are no risks involved in the procedure is
not to be trusted.
5. Don’t be influenced by price or advertising
While offers and discounts might be attractive in a supermarket, a
cosmetic procedure is not something which should be offered at cut
price. Remember that ‘cheaper’ does not necessarily mean ‘better’. Focus
on the reputability of the practitioner and the quality of the
treatment. Never be coerced into undergoing a cosmetic procedure by a
clever marketing campaign or a financial offer. Take your time in
making informed decisions.
6. Ask to see their work
Ask to see examples of your doctor’s work. Seeing photographic
evidence of the results that can be achieved will help you to establish
realistic expectations, but it will also give you an idea of the
capabilities of the doctor and how the procedure can work in practice.
But do make sure that these are not generic pictures of the
manufacturer; make sure it is the work of the doctor him/herself that
you are seeing.
7. Don’t strive to look like a celebrity
Make sure that you are doing this for the right reasons. One of the
biggest criticisms of the Keogh report was the ‘trivialisation’ of
certain cosmetic procedures, particularly those that are popular amongst
reality TV stars. A cosmetic procedure of any kind is something to
consider carefully, and is not a decision to be taken lightly. It is
also unrealistic to want to try and emulate someone else’s results.
Every individual is different and all cosmetic treatments should take in
to account, and be sympathetic towards, the individual’s existing body
shape. If someone comes in to see me clutching an image of a celebrity
then alarms bells instantly ring. More often than not, they will have
unrealistic expectations and if that is the case I will most likely
advise that they don’t go ahead with treatment.
8. Consult a loved one
Confide in a friend or family member. Their input could be very
valuable and they could raise questions that perhaps you had not
considered before. Of course, a doctor must respect doctor-patient
confidentiality and if you choose to undergo the procedure without
consulting those around you, then this is your choice. Nonetheless,
remember that this is a big decision and one which might be easier with
the advice and support of loved one.
9. Understand the recovery process
Being fully informed about the recovery process is vital so that you
can prepare yourself in advance. Patients often neglect to think about
many important post-op factors: Is it a walk-in walk-out procedure? Will
you need assistance leaving the clinic? How should you travel home?
Will you be in pain? Do you need to take time off work? What does the
post-operative care entail? When are the post-operative follow up
visits? There are a number of factors to take into consideration and
your doctor should discuss all of these thoroughly with you in advance.
10. Utilise and insist on a ‘cooling off’ period
After you have met for a consultation with you doctor, they should
insist that you go away and think carefully about your decision. Use
this ‘cooling off’ period to take your time, think through your options,
do some more research and talk to your family or friends before making
any decisions. If you feel like you need more information, attend a
second consultation with the same practitioner or go for another
consultation with a second and third practitioner. This will give you
further opinions and will help you make a considered, sensible decision.
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