Definition, Risks, and FAQ
If you think about undergoing Breast Augmentation, Hair Replacement, a Tummy Tuck, or any other plastic or cosmetic procedure, there are many components you should know about plastic surgery such as how to choose the right plastic surgeon for you, the risks of plastic surgery, and many additional points.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about plastic surgery.
- What Is Plastic Surgery?
- Are You Ready to Have Plastic Surgery?
- What Is the Plastic Surgery Procedure Exactly?
- What Are the Risks of the Procedure?
- How to Find a Qualified Plastic Surgeon?
- What Are Your Expected Results?
- How to Recover after the Plastic Surgery Procedure?
- FAQ about Plastic Surgery
- The Bottom Line
- How QOVES Studio Can Help
What Is Plastic Surgery?
Before making your decision, it is important to know what plastic surgery is. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that aims to reconstruct facial and body defects and deformities due to diseases, traumas, burns, and birth disorders.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery also defines cosmetic surgery as an essential component of plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons use cosmetic techniques to improve the outcome of reconstructive procedures in addition to the overall appearance. (1)
Are You Ready to Have Plastic Surgery?
Before thinking about having plastic surgery, you should ask yourself whether you are ready and healthy enough for it or not.
Provide your plastic surgeon with your entire medical history to help him/her assess your condition accurately and see if any health problems may prevent having a plastic surgery procedure. If you hide any medical information, you will not have the right to ask for compensation if something goes wrong since the surgeon would be excused from responsibility if complications happened.
Most people are usually qualified to have plastic surgery.
What Is the Plastic Surgery Procedure Exactly?
It is important to know the name of the procedure in addition to what it entails. You do not need to know everything in detail about the procedure. Just make sure that it is the right procedure for your condition, it is the best option for this body part, and it will achieve the results you want. Also, know the medical name of the procedure to give the correct answer if one of the medical center or hospital employees asked you about it.
Figure 1 – Patients undergoing rhinoplasty using a novel dorsal preservation technique to retain the ‘nose-bump’ and not lose it’s ethnic characteristics.
What Are the Risks of the Procedure?
The risks are not common with plastic surgery procedures. However, it is important to be aware of the possible risks and complications associated with the procedure you are about to have.
The most common complication in plastic surgeries is infection. Besides, you will have scars. Professional, experienced plastic surgeons usually make scars invisible, but in some cases, they may not end up nice because they can raise or widen.
Also, another risk is that the final result may not be perfect for you. You may get the perfect surgeon who performs the best technique and yet not be satisfied with the results. This usually occurs when patients do not ask their doctors about the limitations of the procedure. (2, 3)
Figure 2 – Photographs showing improvement in wrinkle severity from baseline to immediately after Focused Cold Therapy. Subject at
rest, full glabellar contraction, and full frontalis contraction.
How to Find a Qualified Plastic Surgeon?
When you are searching for the best plastic surgeon for you, keep in mind the following points.
- The Surgeon Must Be Board-Certified: Board-certified means that the surgeon has completed at least 6 to 8 years of surgical training with at least 2 to 3 years committed to plastic surgery specialty. In addition, the surgeon passed several exams and his/her surgical practice is safe and ethical.
- The Operating Facility is Accredited: Make sure that the hospital or surgical center where the operation will be performed is accredited because it means that strict standards are applied regarding safety, equipment, and other aspects.
- Your Surgeon Should Consider Your Medical History: Your entire medical history should be taken before surgery whether it is cosmetic, reconstructive, or any other surgery. Do not trust a surgeon who does not ask questions and get your complete medical history.
- Surgeons Should Not Sell Their Services: Some surgeons sell their services by suggesting additional procedures that patients did not ask for, even if they may need them.
In some cases, certain procedures may be needed to enhance the results of other procedures. For example, chin augmentation is usually associated with cosmetic nose surgery. On the other hand, if the surgeon suggests liposuction while you need chin augmentation, that is overselling.
Find a surgeon who will focus on your goals and provide you with realistic expectations. - You Should Be Comfortable with Your Surgeon: You should be 100% comfortable with your surgeon. That way, you will put your trust in your surgeon. If something unexpected occurs, the surgeon will be able to manage it. Therefore, you should be careful while choosing your surgeon and understand your needs to be able to find the best plastic surgeon for you.
What Are Your Expected Results?
After the plastic surgery, improvements are expected in a particular body part in addition to enhancement of self-esteem. However, you should be aware of the procedure limitations to avoid any unrealistic results.
Keep in mind that plastic surgery may not be the final solution for your problems. There are no guarantees that the quality of your life or your illnesses will improve after the surgery. Besides, you should expect to follow post-surgery instructions to get the best out of plastic surgery and avoid any complications.
How to Recover after the Plastic Surgery Procedure?
After the surgery takes place, special precautions should be followed to avoid any potential complications. Your surgeon will provide you with post-surgery instructions that you must follow typically. Here are some instructions that will help you with the recovery process.
- Take Care of Your Wound: It is essential to maintain the wound dry in the first 48 hours after the surgery. Protect your incisions and check on them regularly.
- Be Aware of the Warning Signs: While checking your incisions, notice any unusual changes such as the severity of the pain, inflammation, or redness. Certain symptoms such as fever or bleeding need you to contact your surgeon immediately.
- Rest: After the surgery, most patients feel the urge to get back to their normal lives. However, it is essential to rest completely for a few days after the surgery to allow the wound to heal properly. It is recommended to have a caregiver in the few days after the surgery to take care of you.
- Avoid Extreme Movements: Avoiding extreme movement after the surgery is vital to avoid any complications. You will rest for a few days and get back to your normal life. However, keep in mind that you need several weeks before doing any extreme movements.
FAQ about Plastic Surgery
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How Long Does It Take for Full Recovery?
Recovery time differs from one procedure to another. Invasive procedures usually take longer recovery periods. Therefore, you should follow your surgeon’s post-surgery instructions to decrease your recovery period.
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Can I Afford Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is expensive and patients should determine whether they can afford it or not. Notice that even if the results do not meet your expectations, you will have to pay.
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Are There Alternatives to Undergoing Plastic Surgery?
It is important to know the risks associated with your procedure before deciding whether to have plastic surgery or not. If alternatives are available, try them first.
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Can Your Hide the Scars?
Scars are inevitable and you should be aware of where the scars will be, especially if your work involves skin exposure such as models and actors.
Scarless surgeries are a myth. Yet, professional, experienced plastic surgeons know how to camouflage scars while suturing. Share your worries about the scars with your surgeon. -
Are You Ready to Have More Than One Procedure?
In some cases, revision surgery may be required. Revision surgery means that the patient will undergo the same procedure again to improve the first one. In most cases, it is a small procedure done with local anesthesia but in some cases, it might be a big procedure with additional cost.
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Will You Be Able to Take Enough Time Off to Recover Fully?
Ask yourself, can I afford to take enough time off of my work? Stay-at-home moms should ask themselves the same question.
According to the procedure, you may need days or weeks to recover and you will need enough time off after the procedure to recover properly. Even after the first few days when the pain and discomfort start to fade, certain restrictions should be followed.
Most people decide to exchange their vacation time for recovery time.
The Bottom Line
Your body is precious and you should treat it well. Plastic surgery is one of the things people do to be happier about their bodies. Plastic surgery is usually seen as an art that requires both the patient and surgeon to work together to achieve the best possible outcome that meets the needs of the patient.
How QOVES Studio Can Help
Skin Retouching
Our range of skin retouching services can help you hide the appearance of a range of ageing signs among other cosmetic improvements for Instagram, commercial modelling or E-commerce productions.
Facial Aesthetics Report
Have your facial proportion and harmony be analyzed into a comprehensive report and learn about how you can improve your aesthetic.
Facial Morphs
Have our team of photo editors morph your face into more ideal proportions for a visual look at what can be achieved with surgery, exercise and muscle hypertrophy.
Find A Doctor
We’re working on building a comprehensive directory of approved plastic surgeons and practices near you that show a strong understanding of aesthetic medicine with a proven track record.
Citations:
- Tambone V, Barone M, Cogliandro A, Di Stefano N, Persichetti P. How You Become Who You Are: A New Concept of Beauty for Plastic Surgery. Arch Plast Surg. 2015;42(5):517-520. doi:10.5999/aps.2015.42.5.517
- Borrelli MR. What Is the Role of Plastic Surgery in Global Health? A Review. World J Plast Surg. 2018;7(3):275-282. doi:10.29252/wjps.7.3.275
- Nasser JS, Chung KC. Discussion: Plastic Surgery Complications from Medical Tourism Treated in a U.S. Academic Medical Center. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;141(4):524e-525e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000004215
- Khunger N. Complications in Cosmetic Surgery: A Time to Reflect and Review and not Sweep Them Under the Carpet. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(4):189-190. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.172188
