Millions of people are opting for plastic or cosmetic surgery and the numbers increase each year. While plastic surgery offers a lot of benefits, it’s important to first ask yourself these questions to make sure you are making a good decision that is right for you.
1) Do the positive advantages exceed the possible complications?
It’s important to do your research and consult with a reputable plastic surgeon in utah to learn what the potential is for serious complications regarding your procedure(s) of interest. Many online sites, such as RealSelf.com, offer valuable information on plastic surgery in Utah and all over the world. You can also do research on plastic surgeons you are considering on each doctors realself profile containing patient reviews and before and after photos.
2) Do you depend on external sources for your self-esteem?
If your self-esteem rests solely upon the outcome of this procedure, it may not be the right time for surgery. Yes, cosmetic surgery can provide a boost in self-esteem and/or draw attention away from a prominent feature that you are self-conscious about, but it’s important that you know and like yourself regardless of whether or not you have this procedure done.
3) Do you want plastic surgery for yourself or someone else?
During a free consultation, Dr Thompson assesses whether or not a patient is the driving force behind surgery or if it’s a parent or significant other. He will only perform surgery on a patient that truly desires surgery for themselves and is not doing it to please another person. That also includes children, who often undergo otoplasty surgery for prominent ears. So ask yourself if this is something you want and not something you are pushed into pursuing.
4) What are your expectations?
What results to you expect from your procedure(s) of interest? How well to you understand the recovery process? Really consider how you hope your life may change following this procedure and view before and after photos of other patients that have had the same procedure. Look for surgeons with results that you hope to achieve and ask for names of patients who have had the procedure that you can talk to and get perspective from. Then determine the positive difference this procedure may have in your life.
5)Â Will plastic surgery help you reach reasonable goals?
Consider the goals you hope to achieve with surgery. There are more reasons to plastic surgery than purely cosmetic. Are you hoping to have better peripheral vision with eyelid surgery? Are you hoping to breath better with nasal surgery to straighten your nose?
Other goals may be to eliminate comments from others asking if you look tired or angry when you don’t because of a drooping brow or eyelids. Consider your goals, whether aesthetic and/or cosmetic, and talk to your plastic surgeon about how best to achieve them.
6)Â Have you done your research?
Educated patients have the best outcomes. They often have a good idea of what options are available by researching online and come to their consultation with a list of questions to talk to the surgeon about.
They have also done their research on a surgeons credentials, training, and experience to assure that they will receive the best outcome possible and have a qualified physician that can minimize risk and know what to do if in case a complication where to arise. Is your surgeon a board certified plastic surgeon or a physician that has taken a weekend course in the procedure you are interested in? Ask the hard questions and learn the difference between different types of surgeons.
To learn more or schedule a free consultation Dr. Thompson, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, call (801)776-2220 or send us a message.