1. Prepare for Dissatisfaction
Whether due to unrealistic expectations or to a poorly skilled plastic surgeon, the results of your procedure may not satisfy you. To avoid disappointment, research the surgery so that you can form clear, reasonable expectations and choose a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Remember that asking for Jennifer Aniston's nose or breasts (or both) doesn't mean you will wake up looking like her.
2. Weighing the Risk of Fatality
Any surgery includes the risk of death. If you're healthy, the odds of dying during plastic surgery are minimal. However, there is some possibility, and you should discuss any concerns you have with your plastic surgeon. Certain medical conditions, like cardiovascular disease and lung problems, make elective surgeries, including breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and other cosmetic procedures, more dangerous than they are worth. More invasive procedures, like tummy tucks, should be performed in a hospital rather than in a doctors office or outpatient surgery center.
3. Consider the Risk of Infection During Cosmetic Surgery
During plastic surgery, the skin is tugged, cut and removed, and an infection can produce bigger scars. These may require additional surgery. Excessive bleeding also may occur, requiring a transfusion. Fluid buildup at the incision site occasionally must be drained by a doctor.
4. Disfigurement From Plastic Surgery
Some patients leave the hospital looking and feeling worse than before they opted for cosmetic surgery. For example, a breast augmentation may result in lopsided breasts that require corrective surgery. People who undergo liposuction may end up with bumpy, lumpy skin. Using a qualified plastic surgeon will decrease the risks of surgery going wrong, but it cannot eliminate it 100%.
5. Coping With Numbness
Some patients may experience a numb or tingly sensation following their cosmetic surgery. This feeling (or lack or) may be temporary, going away as the patient heals. However, it may be permanent.
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