questions to ask yourself before having plastic surgery

The plastic surgery consultation is a good time to ask your surgeon questions about your desired procedure and what it entails. However, before you even set foot in a plastic surgeon’s office, you need to ask yourself some important questions. The best candidates do quite a bit of self-reflection to suss out their motivations, goals and qualifications for surgery.

In this post, Dr. Erwin Bulan reveals what you should ask yourself before having plastic surgery.

Why do I want to have plastic surgery?

Why are you pursuing plastic surgery? Is it to correct a life-long insecurity or a recent change in your appearance due to the aging process, multiple pregnancies or weight fluctuations?

Take a close look at your motivating factor(s). Are you doing this for yourself, or to please someone else? If you want to change yourself for someone else, it could be a red flag of a poor relationship.

What is my expectation of treatment?

Having reasonable expectations is critical to a successful outcome. What are you expecting from treatment: improvement or perfection? Can you identify the specific area or feature that bothers you, and clearly explain how you would like it improved? Do you see patients in your surgeon’s before-and-after photo gallery that have achieved the results you desire?

Do I understand the risks of the surgery?

Although the risk of complications is low with the right plastic surgeon, it is still possible that something could go wrong during or after surgery. Educating yourself about the risks is a necessary part of preparing for surgery.

Can I devote adequate time to recovery?

Depending on the specific procedure, recovery can restrict your activity level for up to four weeks. Do you have the time and patience to rest and relax while your body heals? Can you recruit a friend or family member to help you with childcare, cooking and cleaning while you recover? Are you willing to abstain from your normal workout routine and social obligations for several weeks?

Is there a non-surgical alternative to my desired treatment?

If you seek improvement yet feel hesitant about undergoing surgery, explore the option of non-surgical alternatives. For example, Botox and fillers can minimize wrinkles without surgery and SmartLipo can reduce unwanted fat without surgery. Though the results may not be as dramatic as surgery, you may be perfectly happy with the outcomes!

Am I choosing the right surgeon?

Your surgeon’s qualifications are critical to successful outcomes. Is your surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? How many years have they performed your desired procedure? Where do they operate? Is the facility accredited? Is the surgeon in good standing with the state medical board?

If you are confident in your own answers to these questions, schedule a plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Bulan by calling (973) 467-9744 or sending an email today.