Many of us have considered going under the knife, as they say in pop culture, to improve our bodily appearance, but why do we do it? The whole goal of cosmetic surgery is to improve your current appearance, meaning anything that you are not happy with can disappear. Luckily for many of us, cosmetic surgery can be performed on any part of the face and body, but unlucky for us, it can come with risks. But this should come at no surprise since most, if not all, procedures come with some risks.
Possible complications that will be discussed before surgery can include complications related to anesthesia, meaning pneumonia or blood clots. Infection can occur at the incision site as well, which could worsen scarring and may require additional surgery. Mild bleeding can occur, which could also require further surgery or become significant enough to require a transfusion. Scarring is a noticeable side effect that occurs with healing. These complications are the normal risks that apply to any invasive cosmetic surgery; depending on the cosmetic procedure you are looking to receive, there will be additional side effects to consider. This does not mean that as a patient you will experience all the risks. What this does mean for you is that there are more things to consider than the expected positive results of your surgery.
These risks highlight why you need to do your research before any procedure. Ask yourself some tough questions, like is it a good time in your life to have cosmetic surgery? Ask the proper questions regarding your surgeon’s qualifications, and if there are any risks unique to your health history. The most crucial element to consider when deciding whether to have cosmetic surgery is if you have a robust understanding of what will take place before, during, and after any surgery, and also what results to anticipate. With this all in mind, there are ways to reduce risk during surgery. Be careful when choosing your surgeon. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet before and after any procedure, can also speed healing and improve wound closure.
Cosmetic surgery is not dangerous, although it does come with its own set of risks. Bruising and swelling that you will see after any procedure are temporary, although surgical scars are permanent. Recovery times vary not just by person but also by chosen procedure, and the key to success for all of these procedures is realistic expectations. Cosmetic surgeries have the goal of improvement, as mentioned before, but they are not meant to create perfection. Just as each person has a different body type and reactions to surgeries, you can also expect to see varying results from cosmetic surgery.