Am I a Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?

A Realistic Self-Evaluation Outline

 
There are no universally correct answers to these questions. However, we have attempted to provide information to serve as a basis for your self-evaluation.

MOTIVATION:
Why am I considering plastic surgery?  

The best reason for seeking cosmetic surgery is to improve your self-image -- that is the way you perceive or feel about yourself. For this reason, cosmetic surgery is often thought of as "psychological surgery." Its purpose is to enhance your feeling of well-being and to foster emotional health.

But your expectations should be realistic. It is unwise to expect that cosmetic surgery can cure a troubled marriage, significantly improve one's success in the job market, or reinstate one's youth. Instead, you should set your expectations on the way you feel about yourself and the impact that a physical change could have on that feeling.

LIFESTYLE:
Is my lifestyle healthy and consistent with having surgery to improve myself?

A healthy lifestyle will enhance any surgical result. Lifestyle changes should be a part of any cosmetic surgery. For example, liposuction can effectively reduce localized fat deposits but overall, the result will be significantly improved with improved diet and increased exercise (if diet and exercise are not a part of one's routine). The same applies to other body contouring procedures, such as tummy tucks. See our comments about this here - Promises and Pitfalls: Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty).

GENERAL HEALTH PROBLEMS:
Do I have any serious medical or emotional problems that would increase my risk of having surgery?

Aesthetic surgery is real surgery and has all the risks and hazards of any other surgery. While this surgery is performed to enhance your appearance, a serious complication could actually impair the way you look. Permanent deformity resulting from cosmetic surgery is a remote possibility, but it should not be denied.

To minimize the risk of a medical complication, a complete medical exam by your regular doctor or family physician should be done preoperatively and any serious emotional or relationship problems should be dealt with prior to undergoing this surgery.

TIMING:
Is this a convenient and appropriate time to have this surgery?

Certain times in one's life are particularly stressful (such as after the loss of a loved one, following a divorce, etc.). Times of high stress may not be the best time to undergo surgery with its own inherent stress. Further, if any problems occur post-operatively, coping may be difficult. Plan the surgery for a time that is good for you, when you can be relaxed and can afford the time to convalesce and heal.

FINANCIAL:
Can I afford the cost of surgery?

Aesthetic surgery is excluded by health plans - not because it isn't important but only because it is completely elective. Because the goal of this surgery is to make you feel better about yourself, incurring cumbersome debt might have the opposite effect. See our Promises and Pitfalls: Financing of Cosmetic Surgery.

INFORMATION:
Do I have sufficient information to make the decision about having elective surgery?

In this age of the internet, information overload is more of a problem then lack of information. The difficulty for the consumer is to determine what is fact, what is opinion, what is marketing!

Accumulated information from all sources, internet, media and advertisements, is helpful, but also can be confusing. Articles in the press can be factual, but unfortunately, many slant and distort information to create greater interest and more impact or appeal. Also, many publications exist simply to sell advertising and have editorial policies that allow paid advertisements that appear to be real articles. This type of publication, usually distributed free of charge, provides apparent endorsement of a surgeon, and can mislead, confuse and often promise the impossible. (See our comments in Promises and Pitfalls: Marketing of Cosmetic Surgery.)

SURGEON:
Have I researched the surgeon's credentials, reputation, hospital affiliations, etc.?

Any licensed physician can call himself/herself a plastic surgeon, and in an office setting, do any procedure that he or she would like to do. This "self-designated specialty" can be very confusing to the public. The situation is compounded by the recent formation of numerous sound-a-like boards and organizations. The consumer is inundated with important sounding boards, societies, academies, associations, etc.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies plastic surgeons, who are qualified to perform plastic surgery of all regions of the body. The specialty of plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. For your cosmetic surgery, choose an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon. Accept no substitutes.

Beware of bargain fees, promises of insurance coverage for a cosmetic procedure, gimmicks, new technology, carefully selected photos of results and "unsolicited" testimonials, etc.

SECOND OPINION:
Do I need more than one opinion?

We recommend you do not hesitate to get a second opinion because your decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is an important one.

 
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