Cosmetic Surgery: Are You SURE?

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons recently published a concise checklist for consumers considering cosmetic surgery. The checklist is in the form of the acronym, SURE, with each letter offering some guidance for how to decide if you’re ready to pursue plastic surgery.

If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, but want to be SURE you’re ready (sorry, sorry, just couldn’t resist!), the checklist offers:

S: Check your surgeon’s credentials and qualifications. Your practitioner should have the academic and professional qualifications to perform your desired procedure(s), and it’s always best if the physician has performed these procedures before. Don’t be afraid to ask about training, experience, philosophy and approach. You want the most well-trained and experienced person you can find to perform your cosmetic surgery.

U: Understand what’s involved. Find out about the risks of the procedure(s), and possible side-effects. Ask about what the cosmetic surgery entails, and how much it costs. This is also a good time to make sure your insurance will cover the procedure or that you can afford to pay for them.

R: Recovery. Ask about recovery times, whether you should have someone accompany you to the procedure and how much follow up care you will need.

E: Expectations. Thoroughly review your expectations for cosmetic surgery. Can you achieve what you desire by this procedure? Can you specifically identify what you want to feel like, look like, be like, after the surgery?

Research shows that patients with realistic expectations are more likely to be satisfied with the results of their cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery can help you look better, may boost your confidence, and may help you feel better. It will not 100% magically change your life.

Unless, of course, you have an Extreme Makeover (ouch!!!) which is a bit more extensive than what we’re talking about here.

If you have any doubts about cosmetic surgery, don’t move ahead until you’re SURE.

Would you like to know more about cosmetic surgery?