| The idea of cosmetic surgery usually appears flawless | | | | to refer you to a cosmetic surgeon. It is important that |
| from the outside. Models with aquiline noses and | | | | you are in good physical condition and reasonably fit |
| perfect bodies give you testimonials of how surgery | | | | before considering cosmetic surgery and your regular |
| has helped them reinvent their lives and begin anew. | | | | doctor can help you decide if you are physically ready |
| But there are many hard facts to confront when | | | | for an intervention. |
| considering cosmetic surgery: psychological, financial | | | | Before selecting a cosmetic surgeon, you should: |
| and medical factors being the most important amongst | | | | •Verify his or her qualifications and experience. |
| these. | | | | •Make sure you check that the important-sounding |
| Building Awareness | | | | alphabets that follow their names are real qualifications; |
| Before even considering cosmetic surgery, you need | | | | check the Institute they are supposed to have gained |
| to be aware of the fact that the advertisements used | | | | their qualifications from. |
| to sell cosmetic surgery are not always genuine. The | | | | •It is also important to check back within the larger |
| models being used to advertise the surgery are not | | | | cosmetic surgeon community. Verify with an |
| always people who have actually undergone that | | | | association or with other doctors whether the surgeon |
| surgery with the cosmetic surgeon in question. 'Before | | | | you are considering approaching for treatment is |
| and after' advertisement photographs are easily | | | | trusted and well-respected. |
| ‘photoshopped’ to perfection; or altered so that | | | | •Try to speak with other patients that he/she has |
| they appear flawless. The testimonials used to | | | | worked on. |
| demonstrate the effectiveness of the surgery may be | | | | Once you have selected your surgeon, you need to |
| fabricated. as someone considering cosmetic surgery, | | | | make sure he or she gives you all the information you |
| you need to separate the possible benefits of the | | | | need to feel reassured or confident about undergoing |
| surgery from the sales pitch and marketing efforts | | | | the surgery. Many surgeons will omit to mention the |
| surrounding it, that make it seem so rosy. | | | | potential side-effects of surgery - such as scars or |
| Understanding the Risks | | | | other permanent features - that they are afraid might |
| Any surgery places you at some amount of risk and | | | | put the patient off the procedure. They will most likely |
| you need to be wary of a surgeon who confidently | | | | tell you the very minimum that you need to know and |
| promises you that there are no dangers involved and | | | | tell you merely “not to worry”. It is important to |
| that satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Cosmetic | | | | be forceful in demanding crucial information and |
| surgeries could very often go wrong, and in the | | | | always advisable to consider getting a second opinion |
| absence of any regulation, surgeons are often injecting | | | | from another cosmetic surgeon. Consider keeping your |
| and feeding toxins, injections and creams to your body | | | | physician in the loop, both by sharing information that |
| that have not been approved by any authority. | | | | your cosmetic surgeon gives you as well as checking |
| Creams may seem harmless since they do not | | | | about the possible reactions that your body might have |
| appear to involve any invasion into the body, but they | | | | to certain procedures. |
| could have side-effects that are detrimental. Most | | | | The Financial Aspect |
| such creams and injections achieve the desired result | | | | Another factor to consider while debating the pros and |
| rapidly, making them very attractive to surgeons - but | | | | cons of cosmetic surgery is the financial aspect. |
| there has not been adequate scientific study practiced | | | | Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular as |
| on many of them to guarantee basic levels of safety | | | | people are spurred on by reports of celebrities |
| when they are used on consumers. | | | | undergoing various interventions to further perfect their |
| Cosmetic surgeries are often not considered as | | | | features, but it is still expensive. What many potential |
| ‘serious’ as other surgeries - such as a | | | | candidates for surgery fail to consider is that surgery |
| procedure on the kidney, for example. Fatality rates | | | | could very easily go wrong; creating a need for |
| are low, but the very fact that a ‘non-serious’ | | | | corrective surgery. It is important to consider that the |
| surgery can result in one makes it vitally important to | | | | surgery might not go according to plan, and |
| do enough homework before selecting your surgeon. It | | | | consciously factor this into your financial calculations. |
| is a good idea to consider asking your regular physician | | | | |