Plastic Surgery: How to Make the Right Choices

Modern medicine is truly amazing isn't it? Today, as never before, men and women are offered a huge array of choices when it comes to their appearance. Particularly in the field of plastic surgery. Because many of us are considering profound changes in our appearance, it behooves us to follow some common sense guidelines when considering both surgery and the surgeon.

First you need to ask yourself why you want the surgery done, and what do you want it to accomplish. This is not as easy a question as it seems. People can be and are denied plastic surgery by ethical physicians, if they feel the patient has underlying psychological issues plastic surgery will not solve, or that their expectations are unrealistic. I can't stress this strongly enough, if you are contemplating extensive changes through plastic surgery, get your internal house in order first.

Plastic surgery can't revive a failing marriage or relationship, change who you are inside your skin, nor make you instantly popular. What it can do is remove imperfections like sagging butts, saddlebagged thighs and lift drooping breasts or take 15 years off your appearance. It can make a heavy breasted woman's life much more bearable through breast reduction, and ease the pain and strain caused by the excess weight.

Through implants, it can create a much more youthful bustline, correct a receding chin or balance a weak jawline. Liposuction can remove excess belly or butt fat, and remove saddlebagged thighs. This can be very helpful to someone who has lost weight, but can't seem to get it off those troublesome areas we women are so prone to. The downside is, it is painful. Recovery involves wearing heavy tight ace bandages around the legs to prevent swelling, bloodclots, and drainage. The first few days there will be a big amount of drainage as the excess fats continue to exude through the opening left by the liposuction catheter. Is it worth it? Sure! After two to three weeks you have a new slimmer sleeker body, your clothes fit and you develop a new pride in yourself. The costs range from $1500.00 to over $6,000., depending on how much an an area is being treated.

Endoscopic plastic surgery is now being used on healthy patients, often minimizing the need for overnight stays in hospital, or anesthesia. With the use of a small endoscope, the surgeon can sculpt chins, cheekbones, eyelids, foreheads, and do breast augmentation, much faster and more safely than the standard methods used before. It is currently in use on a small scale for abdominoplasty "tummy tucks" and face lifts. There tends to be much less bruising, bleeding and swelling with this form of plastic surgery. This is not yet widely available, but you can ask if a surgeon in your area utilizes this technique.

Facelifts are now being done on an outpatient or same day surgery basis, and usually only involve sedation and anesthesia. A good face lift can leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and much more relaxed looking than before. A bad one can leave you looking like a Stepford wife, with skin so taut and shiny, you look like a walking doll. Ideally you want to aim for the removal of lines and sagging skin, so that most people might reasonably assume you've had some excellent spa days :)

This link will take you directly to the American Academy Of Plastic Surgeons, where you can read about the other treatments available: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/index.cfm

When it comes to choosing a plastic surgeon, credentials are a big factor in which one you select. Check up on his/her references and ratings, ask others for their input and do lots of research. But the most important factor is your feeling of confidence in your surgeon. Many offer free or minimal cost consults, which is an excellent way to help you narrow down your choices. Ask questions-lots of them. How much is the total cost? How long will I be off work or just simply on downtime? How much pain will there be if any? Look through portfolios of the surgeons work. Like what you see? Then chances are, this is the doctor for your particular needs. Heed the advice of the American Academy Of Plastic Surgeons.

"Choosing to have plastic surgery is an important decision, and so is selecting a plastic surgeon. Whether you're considering cosmetic surgery to improve your appearance or reconstructive surgery to correct defects or improve function, you want a board-certified surgeon with the skill and training to help achieve your goals. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), established in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world, and is here to guide you through this process." Be an informed consumer, understand the limitations of plastic surgery, and be honest about why you really want it done. Your total experience will be much happier and much more successful.