Is Cosmetic Surgery Right for Me?

Are you considering having cosmetic surgery?

Having any type of surgery is a major decision, and you should therefore be absolutely confident about why you are doing it; what the exact reasons are and what you are expecting to achieve by going under the knife.

Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular; it’s estimated that 120,000 surgical procedures were performed in the UK in 2011 (www.nhs.uk). Although it is more common to have cosmetic surgery than ever before it’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken any less seriously, and there are a number of different things you should consider first, such as the following.

Research the procedure

Some of the most common cosmetic procedures include breast augmentation and reduction, eyelid surgery, liposuction and ear reshaping. Whichever procedure you are considering, make sure you know what it entails. Ask your GP or consultant to explain the steps of the procedure, read about it and watch videos of the procedure being carried out to completely understand what you’re about to put yourself through.

Understand the risks

All procedures have their risks and there is no guarantee of how they’ll turn out. It is absolutely essential that you are well informed and know what the possible complications can be and how likely they are to occur, as well as what the potential side effects can be and how long the recovery period will be. Again, do your research and talk to your GP or consultant, and if possible, someone who has been through the procedure. Weigh up the advantages of the procedure against the risks and rethink your decision.

Know your practitioner

You’re about to let someone you don’t know carry out a serious procedure on you, so you can probably understand why it is very important to find a qualified practitioner with a good reputation to do the job. Choosing a surgeon who is registered with The General Medical Council and a member of The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) is always advisable. It’s also a good idea to ask people you can trust for recommendations, and to find out how much experience the practitioner has and which procedures he or she specialises in. Finally, you should also check that your surgeon is on the Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery on the GMC website – http://www.gmc-uk.org/

Meet your practitioner

Once you’ve found a practitioner you think might be the right one you should always meet him or her in person to make sure you feel comfortable and that you can trust this person. Ask to see work the practitioner has done in the past for physical evidence of what he or she can do and to understand what your likely outcome will be.

It’s not about the price

When considering cosmetic surgery, price shouldn’t be the deciding factor, so don’t let special offers or cheap fees make the decision for you. Instead, focus on quality and finding a reputable practitioner to ensure you get value for money and are in safe hands. This might be a more expensive approach (or perhaps less expensive), just remember – it’s not about the price.

Be realistic

It is important that you have realistic expectations of what the outcome of your procedure will be and what impact it will have on your life. Having cosmetic surgery is not cheap or without risks, so you need to be 100% sure that you want to go through with it. Ask your practitioner to show you before and after photos of people who have had the same procedure done and weigh the pros and cons against each other before you make the final decision. You also need to be realistic about how lasting the results of some procedures, such as liposuction, are – and what commitments you have to make to maintain the results.

Cosmetic surgery can change your life for the better – if you give yourself time to make an informed, well thought through decision.

If you have any questions or would like to request an appointment with The Edinburgh Clinic, get in touch now or complete this short form and we’ll give you a call.