Are You a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?

Just as there are good and bad candidates for the government, there are better candidates for cosmetic surgery.  Doctors are looking for candidates who are healthy and able to follow the directions they give them.  But they're also looking for people with realistic expectations and those who understand the risks.  Here are the questions the doctor will be asking you.

Can you follow directions?

Before and after your surgery, you will be asked to do a number of things, depending on the surgeon you choose and the surgery you are having.  It is crucial that you follow these directions to the letter as they can help to expedite your healing time as well as minimize the possibility of infection and of poor results.

If you're someone that can't handle following directions or you don't have the time to do things that your doctor asks you to do, you might not have to have the surgery in the first place.  The doctor is counting on you being a partner in the procedure and they will need you to take care of yourself as they instruct.

Are you honest?

Honesty doesn't seem like something that would make you a strong candidate for surgery, but if you're not being honest, you can not only put your health at risk, but you might also lessen the results you can expect.

For example, if you have any medications, supplements or illegal drugs in your system, the doctor will need to know this.  Even herbal medications can affect the rate at which your blood clots – very important when you are having a surgery. 

If you're not willing to be honest with your doctor during this process, you might be putting your life on the line.  The doctor will need to know about your drug use, your activity levels, and your diet in detail.  While you might be uncomfortable talking about these kinds of things, this is the most important part of the preparation process.

What are your expectations?

Here's the biggie for those who want to have cosmetic surgery.  You need to have realistic expectations for your surgery.  Chances are good that you will never be perfect and flawless, but the surgery will significantly improve your life and your appearance.

By having a reasonable set of expectations, you will not only be happy with your results, but you will be happy with your decision.

Keep in mind that:

• No surgery turns out the same for everyone
• No one looks perfect and cosmetic surgery won't make you perfect
• No surgery will change your life

By creating a realistic idea in your mind of the results you can expect, you will realize that the changes you've made are in a positive direction and that they not only accent the look you already have, but they will also help to retain the person you were before.

When you have unrealistic expectations, you're not only going to be disappointed with your results, but you might also have troubles following the post operative instructions that are so crucial to your health and to the results you want.

Realize that while plastic surgery can be done right, it may never be exactly what you pictured in your mind.

How is your health?

A body that's in shape and is healthy is one that will sail through surgery with minimal problems.

Ideally, cosmetic surgery candidates should:

• Be between 25 and 45 years old
• Be non-smokers
• Be clean of illegal drugs
• Be of an average weight
• Have no heart problems
• Have no circulation problems
• Be free of most allergies

When your body is in shape, it will be able to handle the stress of the surgery and it will be able to heal more quickly.  For example, those with diabetes will have a harder time healing from surgery as their circulation is not as efficient.

Smoking causes body damage to the cells as well as to the lungs.  When you're going to be under anesthesia, this can cause it to be more difficult to oxygenate your body during the surgery, upping the risk for complications.  In addition, when the breathing tube is removed, patients who are also smokers tend to have an increased risk of infections and of clots in the lungs.

Ideally, you should either be a non-smoker or quit as quickly as you can before your surgery.

You should also be someone who is free of infection the day of and the days before the surgery takes place.  If you find that you are sick or running a fever, let the doctor know and your surgery will most likely be postponed. 

The patient should also be eating balanced meals in order to fuel their bodies in an appropriate manner that supports the immune system as well as the healing process.

Do you understand the risks?

Many patients think that because most cosmetic surgeries aren't exactly necessary, they aren't dangerous.  This is far from the truth.  Whenever you cut into someone's body, you are exposing them to the possibility of infection, scarring, and even death.

Here are some of the other risks associated with plastic surgery:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Loss of blood
• Disfiguration
• Reactions to the anesthesia
• Extreme pain
• Edema
• Shock

Before you go into any surgery, you need to be aware of all of the potential problems that might happen.  Now, chances are good that you won't have any troubles – and the healthier you are, the even further this risk is reduced – but you still need to be aware.  By weight the risks with the benefits, you will be able to decide if the surgery is really for you.

When you receive the list of risks associated with the surgery, you should ask the doctor to clarify anything you don't understand and the likelihood of each potential complication.