5 Plastic Surgery Mistakes to Avoid
Deciding to get plastic surgery can be an exciting time, although many men and women may also feel anxious or nervous, just as with any big life event. To put yourself at ease and enjoy a relaxing, comfortable experience, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. Avoid making these plastic surgery mistakes to help ensure that you get the safe, smooth, and hassle-free results you’re looking for.
1. Forgetting to Check Credentials
One of the most important steps when choosing the right plastic surgeon for your procedure is to check his or her training, experience, reviews, and board certification. Putting in a little extra time and effort to this step will be well worth it down the road, as you’ll know that you’re working with an experienced professional who can deliver the outcome you want. When you first speak to or meet with your plastic surgeon, ask questions such as:
- Are you board-certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- How much experience do you have performing the procedure that I want?
- What accreditations does your practice have?
- Can I see before and after photos of some of your previous clients?
2. Not Being Transparent
Remember that the goal is to work together with your plastic surgeon to deliver the best results possible. For this reason, it’s crucial that you remain transparent with him or her concerning your goals, concerns, and medical history. Your plastic surgeon should be your go-to resource for everything related to your plastic surgery procedure, so make sure that you’re being open and honest with him or her. This will benefit you in the long run.
3. Not Being Realistic
Another important factor to keep in mind is that while plastic surgery can yield excellent results, whether you’re looking for a boost in volume with a breast augmentation or an updated look with a facelift, there are limitations to these procedures. Think of plastic surgery as a way to enhance and highlight your natural features, not to completely alter them in such a way that you appear to be a different person. To keep your expectations in check, ask yourself these questions:
- Why do I want plastic surgery?
- For whom am I getting plastic surgery? Is it solely for me?
- What do I want to achieve with plastic surgery?
4. “Shopping Around” for the Best Price
While cost may indirectly be a part of your decision to get plastic surgery, it shouldn’t be the main deciding factor. As the saying goes, you really do get what you pay for, and skimping on the quality of your plastic surgery procedure isn’t something that you want to risk.
This is especially true of what’s called “medical tourism,” when patients travel to less-developed countries in order to have plastic surgery or other elective medical procedures performed at a lower cost. There are obviously a number of dangers associated with this practice, including an increased risk of infection and poor medical standards, so it truly does pay to work with a board-certified, reputable plastic surgeon instead (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Keep in mind, too, that many trustworthy practices will offer financing options to help make your procedure as affordable as possible.
5. Ignoring the Rules
Throughout the process, your plastic surgeon will provide you with detailed guidelines to follow in order to achieve the highest-quality results. Depending on your specific procedure, these might include such things as stopping the use of certain medications prior to your surgery, avoiding strenuous activities for a period of time afterward, or maintaining scheduled follow-up appointments. Ignoring any of these rules may hinder your safety, the quality of results you can expect, and the speed of the recovery process.
If at any point you have a question or concern about your progress, contact your plastic surgeon for help and specific instruction.
The Bottom Line
While your plastic surgeon does play a large role in the outcome of your procedure, you can also play a part in making sure that you get the beautiful, smooth results you’re hoping for. Work closely with your plastic surgeon so that you can enjoy a stress-free and comfortable experience every step of the way.
At Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, in Pittsburgh and Wexford, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil would be happy to sit down with you one-on-one to discuss your needs and goals and to answer any questions you may have.
If you’re ready to take the next step on your plastic surgery journey, please contact us at 724-264-3608 to schedule your consultation today.
