Having cosmetic surgery can change your life. If there is an aspect of yourself that undermines your confidence, makes you feel uncomfortable in social situations or holds you back, having surgery can make a big difference to the way you feel.
Before you say yes to cosmetic surgery…
But, before going ahead, it’s worth pressing the pause button and really doing your homework. Cosmetic surgery is a big step.
We have all heard horror stories about surgery that went wrong.
You are trusting the most intimate part of yourself – your physical appearance – to a stranger and you need to be 100% confident:
- that they understand what you want
- that they have the skills to deliver it
- that you are certain about having surgery.
Here is our guide to doing your homework about cosmetic surgery BEFORE you go ahead and say “yes”.
- Check out their credentials – all reputable cosmetic surgeons will be fully registered with the GMC as a plastic surgeon and insured to carry out your chosen procedure. The Royal College of Surgeons recommends checking the GMC’s specialist register.
- All reputable surgeons will give you the chance to meet him or her beforehand and ask any questions you may have.
- Do your research – you can view the latest CQC inspection report when you search for the cosmetic surgeon and where they work on the website. Ask if you can talk to people who have received the procedure from the surgeon in question. Ask them about their experience.
- Find out about the procedure – it’s worth researching the clinics and hospitals that offer it and the surgeons that carry it out. Find out everything you can about it and the different approaches that are on offer.
- Ask lots of questions. This is really important. A reputable surgeon will be happy to answer any questions you may have and will never pressurise you to make a decision until you’re ready.
- Read testimonials and patient stories to see how other people felt about the procedure, the service and the surgeon.
9 key questions to ask your surgeon
- What will happen before, during and after the procedure?
- What sort of aftercare will I receive?
- What if something goes wrong?
- What are the risks?
- How much will it cost in total, including aftercare?
- How soon after the procedure will I be able to go home?
- How long will the effects of the procedure last?
- What sort of pain can I expect and how will I manage this?
- What scarring will I have and how can I manage this?
Before going ahead, you should be able to answer “yes” to these three key questions:
- Do I understand exactly what is going to be done to me?
- Do I know what could go wrong and could I cope if the worst were to happen?
- Do I have a realistic expectation of cosmetic surgery? A good cosmetic surgeon will enhance and improve your features, not change them completely.
