Although it might seem as though everyone is having plastic surgery performed these days, from celebrities to your cubicle mate, and it might seem as though you can get Botox injections or dermal fillers at every doctor’s office, plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments aren’t and have never been something to rush into. As a patient, you want to be as concerned for your safety, before, during and after your treatment, as you are for the way your procedure will turn out.
Safety and results actually go hand in hand when it comes to plastic surgery. The more you know about the specific procedure and about the person performing it, the more likely you will be to enjoy the results and to reduce your risk for any complications.
Learn as Much as You Can About the Procedure
How much do you know about the procedure you’re thinking about having, whether it’s a facelift or injection? Before you decide to have surgery, you want to know as much as you can. You can find out plenty about a specific procedure from the surgeon during your consultation, but it can often be helpful to do some research before that, so that you can prepare specific questions about the procedure and about how the surgeon performs it.
One thing you’ll want to find out is how long the process takes and whether you’ll need anesthesia. Some surgeries require general anesthesia, which means you’ll be unconscious. Others require sedation or a local anesthetic. In some cases, such as injections or very mild chemical peels, you might not be given an anesthetic at all.
The length of time a procedure takes depends on its complexity and on how much you are having performed. For example, an injection might be over in less than 30 minutes, but a full facelift might take two or three hours. If you combine surgeries, such as eyelid surgery and facelift, the surgeon may need a full day to perform the procedures.
You’ll also want to know what you can expect after the surgery, such as how long recovery takes and what you need to do during your recovery to protect your skin or to avoid complications.
Research Your Surgeon
Knowing as much as you can about the person who’ll be injecting you or performing the surgery on you is as important as knowing as much as you can about the surgery. Find out where the surgeon went to school, where she completed her residency and whether she is board certified or not. You may also want to look for a surgeon who specializes in the surgery or other treatment you’re thinking about having. The more experience your surgeon has with your specific surgery, the more likely you’ll be to have a great result.
You can get a feel for your surgeon’s expertise and ability during your consultation. But, you’ll also want to do some digging beyond simply interviewing and speaking with her. Talk to past patients, look at photographs of her past procedures and check out any reviews of the surgeon that might be online.
Check Out Your Health
The third thing you should do to increase your chances of having a safe and successful surgery is to make sure you are healthy enough for the procedure. The healthier you are, the less likely you’ll be to face complications during or after surgery.
Your surgeon should review your medical history and health with you during the consultation. It might also be worth your while to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor before seeing a plastic surgeon. Your primary care doctor can help you get a chronic condition under control, such as diabetes, or can help you improve your diet or other aspects of your health so that you’re better prepared for a surgical procedure.
If you have any habits that negatively impact your health, your doctor can also help you nip those in the bud. For example, most surgeons recommend quitting smoking at least two weeks before surgery. Your doctor can recommend smoking cessation programs and offer assistance with the quitting process.
Practicing at the Naderi Center in Maryland and Virginia, aging face specialist Dr. Jessica Kulak is available to answer any questions you might have about a specific procedure. To learn more about a specific surgery or about plastic surgery safety, contact Dr. Kulak today. Call (301) 222-2020 for an appointment in Maryland or (703) 481-0002 for an appointment in Virginia.
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