Here are some things to remember when considering plastic surgery.
Nearly all teens and most adults feel insecure about their appearance. Just about everyone wishes to improve a feature or two. Nevertheless, most of these insecurities fade away in time. Ask yourself whether you are taking plastic surgery into consideration to make yourself happy, or to please other people.
It is natural for a body to change throughout the teen years. Eventually, parts of the body that seem too large or small can become proportional. For instance, if a nose looks too big, it will look just right when the person’s face changes while growing.
Even without surgery, there are a lot of things that can help in improving a person’s appearance – like maintaining the right weight through diet and exercise. Plastic surgery should never be the first option for someone who wants to lose weight, since this is achievable without surgery. Liposuction and gastric bypass may look faster and easier than following a diet, however, both these procedures involve more risks than dieting, and these options are reserved by doctors for emergency cases when everything else has failed.
Emotions can really affect how people see themselves. Those who get easily depressed, are very self-critical or have a distorted view of how they look, like believe that changing their appearance is the solution to their problems, but it won’t, when it comes to these cases. It is a better option to deal with such emotional problems by asking the help of a skilled therapist. As a matter of fact, most doctors will not perform plastic surgery if the person, especially a teen, is depressed or has psychological/mental problems – unless these are first treated.
If you are thinking of undergoing plastic surgery, it is best to discuss it with your parents. Now if you are prepared and your parents approve, the next thing you need to do is visit a plastic surgeon to know your expectations before, during and after the surgery, plus all the possible complications or disadvantages in going through the procedure. Depending on the type of procedure, you may experience pain while you are recovering, and temporary bruising/swelling can let you feel different for some time.
Healing can vary from one person to another, based on the procedure. So, you also have to do some research on your specific procedure to know the healing and risks involved. To ensure the most favorable results, it is best to opt for a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Certainly, cost will also be a factor, since elective plastic surgeries can be pricey. Though medical insurance policies cover most reconstructive surgeries, more often than not, cosmetic procedures are usually paid directly by the patient.
Your parents can verify the procedures that your insurance policy covers. For instance, since breast enlargement is a cosmetic procedure, it is often not covered by insurance. However, some plans cover breast reduction since large breasts can bring about pain and discomfort for a lot of girls.
Plastic surgery should never be rushed. In case you are considering plastic surgery, research all you can about this particular procedure you are interested in, and discuss this with your parents and doctors. When you get the facts straight, you can determine if the surgical procedure is right for you.
