Before undergoing cosmetic surgery, be honest with the reasons why you are looking to make changes in your physical appearance. While cosmetic surgery can help improve self-confidence, appearance and body image, it is not a cure-all for addressing general dissatisfaction with life, depression or the feeling of being socially accepted.
The Pros of Cosmetic Surgery
Self-confidence can get a huge boost simply from knowing you look your very best. This renewed confidence can have a ripple effect giving you the ability to feel more sure about your interactions with others.
Appearance and body image go hand in hand. As you make positive changes in your physical appearance, you begin to experience a positive body image. While others may have told you in the past that you are beautiful, strong, and confident, when you begin to see it and believe it for yourself, it shows.
Cosmetic surgery can also help bring closure to a past that may not have always been kind to the way you look. Stress, poor dietary choices or smoking may have contributed to you looking older than your years. If you have done the inner work of making lasting lifestyle changes, a bit of cosmetic surgery can help your outside image line up with the new inner you.
The Cons of Cosmetic Surgery
The biggest drawback (con) of cosmetic surgery is that it is still surgery! Much of cosmetic surgery procedures involve major invasive techniques and carry real risks you should be aware of. As with any surgery there is a risk of excessive bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia and even death from unforeseen complications.
After surgery some individuals are shocked at the swelling and bruising that surrounds the area they have sought to improve. While most swelling and bruising does disappear within days or weeks of the procedure, you can’t be 100% certain of the final outcome for months as your body heals and readjusts to the changes made.
The right cosmetic surgeon will do his best to assure you that you will have the best possible outcome and get the look you have both agreed upon, but the truth is there are no real 100% guarantees. Every person reacts differently to surgery in the way their body heals and adjusts after what is a very traumatic procedure in most cases. You will need to plan on taking time off from work and social obligations while healing takes place.
Unrealistic expectations can set the foundation in being disappointed with the end results. This may have you second guessing the choice of surgeons and finances to have work done that produced less than the results you were expecting.
Which brings us to another drawback to cosmetic surgery. While reconstructive surgery due to accidents or medical treatment is usually covered by most health insurance policies, cosmetic surgery is an elective surgery and not covered by most health insurance plans. The cost of cosmetic surgery easily runs into thousands or even ten thousand dollars or more depending on the type of procedure, the surgeon and facility. Price even varies from one part of the country to the next. Financial cost is a huge drawback to cosmetic surgery and financial arrangements usually must be settled prior to having the procedure done.
With careful research and consideration of all aspects of cosmetic surgery you can be assured that you have the information you need to make the right choice for you and your lifestyle. As is the case with most things in life, there are always pros and cons to be considered. No one can make the decision what is best for you.
