Plastic surgery is a tool many people use to improve their body image. However, not all people are good candidates for cosmetic surgery. If you are considering plastic surgery, you must be honest with yourself. Exactly why do you want surgery? and what is your goal for surgery.
Good Candidates for Surgery:
People who are good candidates for plastic surgery are those who understand what the risks and the possible outcomes are. They are not obsessed with achieving "perfection," but perhaps have a flaw or two that they would like to improve. They understand that they are going to still look like themselves, with slight improvement after the procedure. Patients with a strong self-image, who are bothered by a physical characteristic that they would like to improve or change. After surgery, these patients feel good about the results and maintain a positive image about themselves.
Bad Candidates for Surgery:
Patients with unrealistic expectations about the procedure's results. You must have realistic expectations about your cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery cannot change your life or make you look 20 years younger. Patients need to know what to expect after a procedure, and their view of ‘perfection’ is likely not going to be the result. Patients who have a physical defect or cosmetic flaw that have diminished their self-esteem over time.
Doctors are cautioned against performing surgery on people who are seeking perfection. These patients notice every possible flaw on their bodies and want it fixed. Often, they are unhappy with their results and seek another physician's opinion or another surgery to fix the first one. These are poor candidates for cosmetic procedures, because there is often an underlying problem causing the individual to continue to seek surgical treatment.
If you feel like you are a good candidate for cosmetic surgery, have weighed the risks, and still wish to have a procedure done, look around carefully for the right doctor. Once you have found one, set up some support to lean on after the procedure while you heal. Cosmetic surgery is major surgery, no matter how low risk it is, so make sure you have the help you need in place prior to the surgery.
