Every year, as per data analyzed by Cleveland Clinic, over 15 million cosmetic surgeries are performed in the U.S. That number is gradually increasing. The main reason behind this is the fact the cosmetic surgery market is rapidly growing.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the cosmetic surgery market is valued at $46.02 billion as of 2021. It’s a huge market with a lot of potential. Every year, more and more people are interested in getting cosmetic surgery done on themselves.
However, cosmetic surgery is a major decision. It requires a lot of research and understanding, but the information out there can be confusing.
Here are some things you should know before undergoing cosmetic surgery.
#1 Always Work with an Experienced Surgeon
It is important to choose a surgeon with a good reputation. Ask for references and check them. Look at their website and ask to see before and after photos of other patients they have worked on, as well as videos of procedures they have performed.
There are many cosmetic surgeons in the United States, so it’s not hard to find one that meets your needs and preferences. Cosmetic surgery can make you look better than ever, but it’s important not just to choose any plastic surgeon. Instead, find someone with experience performing the procedure you’re interested in so they can deliver realistic results.
In many cases, you can even find an experienced and reputed surgeon in your local town or state. For instance, many who want cosmetic surgery done in California consult and work with Dr. George Brennan. He is a renowned cosmetic surgeon from Newport Beach who specializes in procedures like eyelid surgery, hair transplant, chest wrinkles, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, etc.
When you’re searching for a surgeon, it’s best to ensure they have similar credentials and experience as Dr. George or other renowned surgeons like him because they have managed to set a high benchmark in this field.
#2 Make Sure to Explore All Your Options
When you’re ready to consider cosmetic surgery, it is important that you have all of your questions answered before making a final decision. If you’re not entirely sure about the procedure and its potential risks, then don’t rush into anything. Take the time to talk with your surgeon about what he or she can do for you and how it will look on your body.
You should also ask about any possible side effects or complications that may occur during or after the procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion as well. If something doesn’t seem right about one doctor’s opinion, or if something doesn’t sit well with you after meeting them, it could mean that this is not going to be right for you.
Don’t let yourself get pressured into getting cosmetic surgery done just because another person says so, even if they happen to be an expert.
#3 Don’t Expect a Quick Fix
Cosmetic surgery takes time. It’s important to keep this in mind before undergoing a procedure. While some surgeries take less time to recover from, such as liposuction or breast augmentation, many cosmetic procedures require you to take it easy for several weeks or months before returning to your normal routine. The amount of time needed depends on what the doctor did and how much healing is required by the body.
The results of most buttock augmentation procedures are noticeable within four weeks, but significant changes will not be detectable until six months after the surgery has been performed. Facial rejuvenation usually takes about three months for noticeable results. However, there may be some subtle improvement within three weeks after the surgery has been completed.
#4 Expect Some Discomfort Post-Op
As with any surgery, you can expect to experience some discomfort and swelling in the hours and days following your procedure. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to help manage this discomfort as much as possible. However, there may be times when you need to take over-the-counter medications for milder pain relief or apply cold packs to reduce swelling.
Your body may also experience bruising, especially if cosmetic surgery is done on your face or neck area (such as rhinoplasty). You mustn’t move around too much after a procedure because it could make the bruising worse by breaking blood vessels under your skin and accelerating healing time considerably.
If not properly taken care of post-op, these bruises can last for weeks or even months, depending on where they are located in our body.
#5 Realize the Risks Involved With Surgery
After you’ve decided to undergo cosmetic surgery, you must do your research. The last thing you want is to be surprised by something unexpected after the procedure.
For example, if something goes wrong during or after your procedure, who will take care of it? If there are complications, how can they be prevented in the future? What happens if a doctor makes a mistake or fails to meet certain standards?
Recently, a young actress’ death in India has sparked outrage and controversy. The death was the result of a cosmetic procedure gone wrong, as claimed by her family and reported by India’s NDTV. Such scenarios, although very rare, can indeed happen, which is why it’s vital to understand the risks involved with cosmetic procedures before going under the knife.
Overall, it’s important to remember that cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure and is not intended to be your only option. With these tips in mind, you can feel more confident about your decision before cosmetic surgery.