What You Need to Know Before Undergoing Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular over the last few years. It can improve your appearance and can often result in greater self-confidence. However, many procedures are difficult to reverse, so there are some things that you should consider before you commit to undergoing cosmetic surgery.

For example, it’s important to find a qualified and licensed surgeon to perform most procedures, and there are questions you may want to ask before the procedure to ensure you get exactly what you want. In this article, we will look at what you need to think about before going ahead with cosmetic surgery.

What counts as cosmetic surgery?

The definition of cosmetic surgery includes both surgical and non-surgical procedures that aim to shave some years off your appearance, improve your look, and give you the confidence that you’re striving for. It’s different from plastic surgery, which seeks to repair damage or reconstruct tissue after an accident or surgical procedure.

It’s important to remember that cosmetic surgery comes with some risks and limitations, and you should think carefully and consider these risks before undergoing any type of elective surgery.

Beyond the risks, there are a number of things that are important to think about to ensure that the procedure is a success from your perspective.

What are your expectations?

You should never anticipate perfection when seeking a cosmetic procedure. Certainly, if you have discussed your needs and desired outcomes with your surgeon, you can expect improvement in your appearance, but you should never expect the outcome to be completely perfect. If you do, you’re almost guaranteed to be setting yourself up for disappointment.

How much does cosmetic surgery cost?

Cosmetic surgery is not cheap. The price you pay will depend on various things, such as the type of procedure and the surgeon that you choose. The prices can range from hundreds to thousands of pounds. You will also need to budget for any additional costs that may be involved, including follow-up care and any additional corrective procedures that may be required. These will depend on the type of procedure you are undergoing.

It’s also important to compare prices from a range of cosmetic surgeons; if you find that the price you have been quoted for a procedure is significantly lower than what other clinics are charging, you may be at greater risk of being treated by an inexperienced surgeon. As tempting as it may be to go for the most cost-effective procedure, there are a great many possible risks associated with a botched surgery.

The risks

While the doctor will aim to perform the surgery to your exact wishes, there is still the risk that you may be disappointed with the outcome. There is also a risk of complications arising during the surgery, with some procedures carrying more risk of complications than others. These can include infections at the surgical site or excessive bleeding. In some cases, these may result in even further expenses and dissatisfaction, so it’s best to understand and evaluate the risks before you go under the knife.

The recovery process

Once your surgery is complete, you will most likely need days, weeks, or even months to recover. You will need to remember that you may be in pain for some time. There will likely be bruising and scarring for a while during your recovery. You will need to consider how the surgery will affect your personal and professional life post-surgery, as you may need to take time away from work or miss out on certain engagements to give yourself time to fully recover.

Finding the right cosmetic surgeon

When you decide to get a cosmetic surgery procedure done, you will likely have a choice of different surgeons. It is important to choose a surgeon or clinic that specialises in the type of procedure that you are looking for. It is also essential to ensure they have the relevant qualifications and experience needed to complete the surgery that you want.Make sure to source reviews for the surgeon you choose to ensure that their patients have reported positive outcomes.

If you are having a procedure that requires general anaesthetic, you will need to choose an organisation that is qualified to provide this. It’s also important to make your surgeon aware of any allergies you have, particularly if you’re going to be under anaesthetic.

Questions to ask your cosmetic surgeon

Once you have narrowed down your choices of surgeons, you will need to schedule an appointment for a consultation. The surgeon will look over the area that you want to have treated and the work that you want. They will also take note of any medication that you are on and look at your medical history.

During your consultation, you should consider asking your surgeon the following questions:

• Are there any treatments other than surgery that may work for me?
• Am I suitable for this treatment? How many times have you done this particular procedure?
• Do you have any evidence of previous similar surgeries, or do you have any customer reviews?
• What will happen after the surgery? What aftercare is needed?
• How long will the recovery period take?
• Do you have any before and after photos to help me understand the expected results?
• Will the result be completed in one procedure, or will I need multiple surgeries?
• Will the surgery results be permanent?
• Will you use an anaesthetic? If so, which one and how will it affect me?
• Are there any possible complications? If so, what are they?
• Will I be hospitalised, and if so, for how long?

The more questions you can ask your surgeon and the more you can work together with your surgeon, the more comfortable you will feel and the more likely you are to be pleased with the results.

Always remember, cosmetic surgery is your choice and your choice only. You should only go through with it if you know you can afford it and if you feel thoroughly happy every step of the way.

If you have undergone a cosmetic surgery procedure that went wrong, or developed complications due to the negligent care of your surgeon, you may be entitled to compensation. To get in contact with our team of experienced solicitors, call 0800 634 0285, or use our contact form to request a call back.