Men and women consider cosmetic surgery for many different reasons. For some, it is the desire to reshape a nose that they have always been insecure about. For others, it is to augment a feature they wish was more substantial, such as what occurs with a breast augmentation or a butt lift. Others may wish to slim their physique with liposuction and a tummy tuck or combat the annoyances of facial aging with a facelift, brow lift, or blepharoplasty. The benefits of plastic surgery are limitless, and more often than not, these procedures allow men and women to gain additional confidence in themselves and their appearance. While satisfaction among patients is very high, some are still displeased with their results. For many of these patients, however, their dissatisfaction often has little to do with the actual procedure or the quality of their results. Instead, they are upset because the results did not live up to unrealistic expectations.
Surgery Is Not Magic
Plastic surgery is capable of some pretty remarkable transformations; however, even surgery has its limits. There have been patients that have gone in for liposuction and expected that they would lose the remaining 50 pounds of fat that are plaguing them. Unfortunately, it does not work like that. Any procedure, whether it be liposuction, a tummy tuck, or breast surgery, has its limits. Before you go into your consultation, make sure you know the limits of the procedure you desire. The more you know, the better the chances are that you will be pleased with your outcome.
You Cannot Turn Yourself into Another
Patients often go to their surgeon with a picture of a celebrity or someone else and say, “I want to look like this.” If you expect that your surgeon can clone another person’s feature and put it on you, you are setting yourself up to fail. Plastic surgery enhances what is already there. It cannot mimic another person’s appearance without underlying similarities in bone structure and body frame. Bringing in examples of what you find beautiful and desirable is helpful—it can show your surgeon what type of alteration you are looking for—but you have to accept that you will walk away from your procedure still looking like you.
Your Surgery Is Just the Beginning
Another unrealistic expectation is that you will be ready to face the world the day after your surgery. While this would be great, it is simply not possible. Surgery is invasive and it takes time to heal. Your body will experience all sorts of changes in the days and weeks following your surgery. Often, you can expect the appearance of your face or body to get worse before it starts to get better. You need to have patience and faith during this time that everything will eventually heal and come together to form a beautiful result.
Choosing Surgery for the Right Reasons
Plastic surgery is a big choice; it should not be taken lightly. Most often, the patients who get the best results from their procedure are the ones that chose to undergo surgery for the right reasons. While these reasons vary, plastic surgery should always be for you and not because someone else wants it.
If you are ready to start your plastic surgery journey, contact PREMIERE Center for Cosmetic Surgery by calling (813) 400-1465 or by filling out our online contact form.