subject: Plastic Surgery: 3 Tips Before Going Under The Knife [print this page] Once you have decided to have plastic surgery it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of soon having the body or the face you have always wanted. There are some serious things to consider before going under the knife, though. Regardless of whether you are having a little collagen in the lips or a full breast augmentation there are several things to consider.
#1. Get healthy
Plastic surgery is not the magic bullet that will fix all of your health woes. If you eat a poor diet and do not exercise you will still gain weight and look unhealthy after your operations. Instead take this opportunity to get healthy. Think of it as a total body makeover. Quit smoking and eating fast food. Start exercising and getting in shape. It never hurts to shed some excess weight. A good way to look at it is that after you get in top shape you get to have a surgical option take you the rest of the way.
#2. Research your doctor and the procedure
Be sure to find a board certified plastic surgeon before committing to any doctor. Doing this lets you be sure that he is qualified to be performing the types of procedures you are looking to have done and also that he is approved of by his peers for his skill. Check into not just the doctor but also the facility he will be operating in. Making sure that it is licensed and accredited lets you know that it is suitable for a medical procedure. After learning about the "who" and "where" of your plastic surgery get a lot of information on the "what." All procedures have a variety of techniques that can be used, be sure to find out what technique your doctor has chosen and why it is best suited for your particular needs.
#3. Ask your doctor about risks and side effects, and get a realistic approximation of the recovery time
After discussing the type of plastic surgery you will be having done ask your surgeon about all of the risks and side effects that are possible. As part of this be sure to fully disclose your medical history so that no complications arise. Get an accurate description of potential side effects or complications so that you will be able to recognize and deal with them early in recovery.
Finally, ask how long it will take to make a full recovery. You may be able to function the day after a nose job but you will have bruising for several weeks. Other operations may have an even longer period during which certain activities are ill advised. Make sure you know beforehand so you don't get a breast augmentation and expect to be wearing a new bikini by the weekend.
If you follow these simple steps before undergoing plastic surgery you are sure to have a better experience. Knowledge is the only thing that will put you fully at ease so always feel free to ask questions and seek clarification. It is your body you get to decide what happens with it.
