What makes someone a suitable candidate for cosmetic surgery? While a few of the indicators surgeons look for are obvious, others might surprise you.
Generally speaking, a good candidate for cosmetic surgery should be healthy. This means health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, bleeding disorders, obesity, or depression could disqualify one for some cosmetic procedures. Lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking can be contributing factors as well. The surgeon may give patients who drink heavily or smoke specific pre- and post-operative instructions to follow.
In addition to meeting general health requirements, cosmetic surgeons assess the emotional health of potential patients. The surgeons look at whether or not the patient has reasonable expectations and understands the risks of the procedure(s). An excellent candidate is aware of the risks, benefits, and limitations of the procedure she/he is considering. Such a candidate understands, for example, a rhinoplasty will not result in them having celebrity-x's nose. Similarly, an ideal candidate for cosmetic surgery understands liposuction is for body sculpting and not for weight-loss. The patient should anticipate an improvement in his/her area of concern, not perfection.
Cosmetic surgeons assess the emotional health of potential patients.
It's important to note, cosmetic surgery will not save a relationship, help get a promotion, or improve one's social life--these unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and feeling the surgery was a waste of time and money. Patients also need to understand the results of their surgery may not be immediate. It takes time for the body to heal and for swelling to dissipate to reveal the final results.
Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and feeling the surgery was a waste of time and money.
Some surgeons may choose to defer patients who are currently undergoing a major life change such as the death of a spouse, divorce, menopause, and recent childbirth. So what should one do if he/she is turned down by a board-certified plastic surgeon? While getting a second opinion may seem like the next step, doctors say to listen to their original advice. The surgeon certainly has good reasons for turning the patient down. The best solution is to understand why the candidate was rejected or deferred and try to address those concerns before getting additional opinions. For example, a patient may be given the thumbs down by a surgeon because of his/her BMI. Ideally, the patient should try to lower his/her BMI to the recommended range and return for a consultation rather than shop around for a surgeon who will accept him/her.
Cosmetic surgery candidates who are in good physical and emotional health and have reasonable expectations of their procedure are more likely to be happy with the results of their surgery. If you are ready to take the next step, apply now for a Cosmetic Surgery Grant to receive up to $2000 towards your elective cosmetic surgery procedure.
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