Consulting a plastic surgeon can help restore the function and appearance of the body tissue and skin to as near normal as possible. And it gives a patient a more desirable look and confidence in public.
Reasons for patients to seek plastic surgery include the following:
- Sagging or wrinkling of the skin
- Injuries that cause disfigurement
- Excess fatty tissue in certain body parts
- Keeping the edge in your career
- Loose skin after a significant weight loss
- Changes to the body after a pregnancy
If any of these signs causes you to have low self-esteem or become too self-conscious, it’s probably a good idea to consult a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
Are You a Suitable Candidate for Surgery?
Plastic surgery by a board-certified plastic surgeon is a safe and practical approach to help you attain your long-term aesthetic goals, whether anti-aging or body contouring. But this surgical procedure is only suitable for some patients.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you evaluate whether you are a suitable candidate.
- You should be in good health
- You should not have a medical condition that puts you at risk during or after surgery
- You should be emotionally prepared
- You should understand all the surgical risks
- You should not be taking blood thinning medication such as aspirin
- You should be a non-smoker
During your consultation with your surgeon, you should discuss your health, lifestyle habits, diseases or conditions, or any drugs or supplements you take. This discussion will help determine if plastic surgery is viable for you.
Preparing for Your Consultation
Whether you consider a facelift, body lift, Mommy Makeover, or breast augmentation, each surgical procedure begins with a plastic surgery consultation. After scheduling an appointment, here’s a breakdown of how you can adequately prepare for your first meeting with your surgeon.
Learn More About Your Procedure
Conduct sufficient research into your procedure before consulting a plastic surgeon, covering the basics: what the surgery can achieve, the details about the surgical procedure, recovery, and expected downtime.
Gather Some Reference Photos
Reference photos make it easy to visualize your expected new look at a glance. Collect a few images of the perfect look you are going for; these photos should be similar in proportion and your natural body shape.
Research Your Plastic Surgeon
The ideal plastic surgeon should be board certified, with experience performing similar cosmetic procedures as the one you seek. One of the best ways to research your doctor is to read their patient reviews.
Ask Informed Questions
During your first consultation, address any lingering questions or concerns. Ask about the specifics, including recovery time, benefits, and risks.
Tips for a Successful Plastic Surgery
Trends in plastic surgery are taking a more natural turn with many patients going for a more authentic and genuine look rather than drastic, easily noticeable changes in facial and body features. Here are a few tips to look out for, for a successful cosmetic transformation.
Enhancing Individual, Natural Beauty
Focus on surgical procedures that naturally enhance your unique natural beauty with desirable traits while avoiding the temptation to want to look like your favorite celebrity.
Maintaining Ethnic Identity
Procedures like rhinoplasty are increasingly popular, but the focus is shifting from changing one’s ethnic features, like a larger-than-desirable nose, towards goals such as fixing symmetry or a crooked nose or removing humps while maintaining the patient’s ethnic identity.
Having Reasonable Expectations Of The Surgery
Beauty apps and photo filters have led some to have unrealistic expectations of what the surgery can achieve. But unfortunately, some of these aesthetic goals are physically impossible. Fortunately, the initial consultation when consulting a plastic surgeon will help reset your expectations of what is achievable after the surgical procedure.
Q&A
Q: How long is the healing time after plastic surgery?
A: While the initial swelling subsides after two weeks, wound healing takes up to 6-12 months, depending on the surgery’s extent.
Q: Which medications should I avoid before the surgery?
A: Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Motrin, as they can prevent blood clotting and cause bleeding.
Q: How should I prepare for plastic surgery?
A: Before the surgery, stop smoking, avoid alcohol, reduce caffeine, vitamins, and supplement intake, and make a recovery plan.
Q: What should I wear after the surgery?
A: Wear comfortable and easy-to-put-on attire such as elastic waist pants, button-up tops, and loose-fitting clothes.
Q: Is plastic surgery painful?
A: Like other types of surgery, plastic surgery leaves some pain and discomfort once the anesthesia wears off, gradually reducing as you complete your prescribed medicine.
Q: What are the side effects of plastic surgery?
A: Bleeding, infection at the incision site, and fluid buildup near the wound are possible risks after a surgical procedure.
Q: Does plastic surgery affect one’s lifespan?
A: No. Successful plastic surgery will not affect your lifespan unless you experience a life-threatening complication.
Q: Is plastic surgery reversible?
A: Technically, plastic surgery results are irreversible, but getting a revision surgery is possible if you are not satisfied with the outcome.
Q: Can I take off my protective garment to wash it?
A: Yes. But you should wear the protective garment for two weeks, night and day, for proper healing.
Q: What is the best food after surgery?
A: For post-surgery recovery, eat protein-rich foods, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, calcium and iron-rich food, healthy fats, and plenty of water.
