Five health considerations if you’re considering cosmetic surgery

Preparing for cosmetic surgery in Manchester

For people thinking about undergoing cosmetic surgery there are many things that need considering before you book your procedure.

During a consultation your surgeon will discuss your health and mental wellbeing, as it’s important to make sure the patient is suitable for treatment, in all respects.

In this week’s blog, we look at the health considerations you need to take into account before undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures such as facelifts, mummy makeovers, and breast augmentation.

Health considerations can include both physical and mental wellbeing, but don’t forget to consider the financial implications of choosing to undergo cosmetic procedures.

  1. Are you of a normal BMI?

If you’re considering body contouring surgery, such as abdominoplasty (tummy tucks) or body lift surgery you will need to be of a stable BMI. This means your weight is considered steady and you are likely to recover well from surgery. If your BMI is over you may be advised to lose weight before undergoing the procedure.

  1. Do you suffer with health issues or allergies?

You must be sure to make your plastic surgeon aware of any health issues you have, such as allergies and conditions like asthma. Being honest with your surgeon is paramount to undergoing surgery safely. Other conditions to make a medical professional aware of include diabetes, any history of heart issues, and pregnancy.

  1. Do you smoke?

If you’re a smoker you will be requested to quit immediately. The complication risk in smokers is far higher than that of non smokers, a study recently discovered. Ideally you should stop smoking 6-8 weeks before your procedure. It’s best to cut back on alcohol too.

  1. Are you emotionally stable?

Your emotional wellbeing is very important. One of the aspects a surgeon will consider is your mental health and whether you’re suitable for cosmetic surgery. If you are deemed to be unsuitable (for example because of body dimorphia) or not choosing a procedure for the right reasons you may be declined the surgery.

  1. Can you cope with the recovery?

Recovering from cosmetic procedures can take time and in some cases may be uncomfortable. You need to be aware of the implications of the recovery process, and what the down time requires. You’ll need to take into account things like taking time off work, childcare, and such.

Get more information

If you want further information about undergoing aesthetic procedures please contact us. You can book a consultation to get a better understanding of the risks and considerations prior to undergoing cosmetic surgery in Manchester.

 

The key to undergoing safer cosmetic surgery

Expert tips to undergoing safer cosmetic surgery

We are currently asked by patients for our top tips when looking to undergo safer cosmetic surgery. Every patient is different, of course, but there is some simple advice to follow if you’re considering aesthetic surgical procedures.
Mr Ross says the key successful but safer cosmetic surgery results lies in the honest relationship between patient and surgeon, and doing thorough research.

Why choose cosmetic surgery?

Some patients are told they need to have surgery, for reasons such as disfigurement, trauma or cancer and tumours; other people choose to have cosmetic surgery procedures like facelift surgery to improve their self-esteem.
The decision should only be made for you, and not for the benefit of anyone else. It’s an emotional decision as well as a physical one, and this needs to be balanced during consultation. If you’re not deemed suitable for fit for surgery Mr Ross will decline to treat you.

Who you choose to trust as your plastic surgeon is of utmost importance. Mr Ross aims to provide patients who request or want to have cosmetic surgery to have the best possible advice from a specialist in their field of care.

Choosing safer cosmetic surgery

The Royal Collage of Surgeon’s Professional Standards for Cosmetic Surgery are intended to improve patient safety and standards in the industry. They stipulate that only surgeons with the appropriate training and experience should undertake cosmetic surgery, as well as the ethics and behaviour expected of them.

Any surgeons found to be breaking the guidelines risk being struck off. With that in mind, Mr Ross offers his top tips when choosing to undergo safer cosmetic surgery to the face or body:

1. Have a clear idea in your mind what you are concerned about and what you would like to be improved by cosmetic surgery

2. Find a surgeon who listens to your concerns and explains clearly what a realistic outcome from cosmetic surgery might be

3. Meet your surgeon at least 2 weeks before your operation, and ideally meet them on a second occasion before surgery. This gives you time to fully consider and understand your operation

4. Make sure your surgical team provides clear written or on-line information about your procedure and what to expect in the recovery process

5. Ask lots of questions until you are happy you completely understand the benefits and risks of your chosen cosmetic surgery procedure

6. Find a plastic surgeon that is highly qualified and trained in your procedure, and that can explain their own results of surgery to you including complication rates.

7. Make sure that surgeon is someone you feel you can trust

8. Make sure you understand what to do afterwards in case something goes wrong, and that your plastic surgeon has given you a plan of aftercare

9. Be wary of ‘promotions’ or financial incentives to pay for cosmetic surgery. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

10. Ensure you have been given a written plan for the cost of cosmetic surgery including hospital fees, and any costs associated with complications or revision procedures

More information

If you would like more information please email the clinic, or you can book a consultation online.

Motivations for undergoing cosmetic surgery

What are your motivations for undergoing cosmetic surgery?

 Many patients book a consultation sure that they know which cosmetic procedure/s they want, as well as what they want to achieve.

One of the most important parts of a patient’s journey is meeting with a plastic surgeon and discussing the procedure they are considering.

At this meeting, one of the surgeon’s priorities will be to make sure the patient not only understand what the cosmetic procedure entails, but also why the patient wants to undergo it.

A patient’s motivations for choosing cosmetic surgery should be clear, and they should always be to enhance their self-esteem.

Are you choosing cosmetic surgery for the right reasons?

It might seem like a quick fix to some, but cosmetic surgery is a serious decision that should only be made for the individual. It is the responsibility of the plastic surgeon to turn down any patient he/she believes may be seeking aesthetic enhancement to please someone else or imitate someone, such as a celebrity.

It is not recommended that any man or woman undergoes cosmetic procedures for the benefit of any other person, and a plastic surgeon will likely refuse surgery if he/she believes the potential patient does not have the best motivations.

How realistic are your motivations for undergoing cosmetic surgery?

We often see patients that are seeking cosmetic procedures to ‘look like’ a celebrity; this is unrealistic and unlikely to yield the results they want. For example, Kate Middleton’s nose work for her facial dimensions but that doesn’t mean it will work on yours.

Be realistic about what you are hoping to achieve, and be prepared to potentially be told it’s not attainable or unrealistic.

When is the right time for aesthetic procedures to change the way you look?

This is entirely subjective and depends on a patient’s specific goals and circumstances. Most patients seek the advice of a plastic surgeon if they feel that cosmetic procedures could enhance their self-esteem and overall happiness.

If you’re seeking mummy makeover procedures – such as breast uplift, tummy tuck, or fat transfer – you may find the advice will be to wait until you’ve finished having children.

For others, the decision to undergo surgical procedures to change certain areas of the body or face may be down to age or weight loss. The key is to seek the advice of a plastic surgeon that respects your individual needs and understands your motivations for undergoing anti ageing or body rejuvenation procedures.

Ask yourself these five questions

  1. Why do I want to undergo this procedure?
  2. What do I think I will gain from undergoing this procedure?
  3. Who am I doing this for?
  4. Do I understand the limitations as well as the rewards of cosmetic surgery?
  5. Will I be able to cope if the results are not as I’d hoped?

Getting more information

If you are interested in learning more about a specific cosmetic surgery procedure, such as breast enlargement, tummy tuck surgery, or fat transfer, please contact the team who will be able to provide you with more information.

A consultation is the only way to determine whether or not a specific type of treatment is suitable for you – book one here.

 

 

Why cosmetic surgery should never be given as a prize

Trivialising cosmetic surgery only leads to issues later on

It’s been reported recently that an organisation in America chose to give away cosmetic surgery procedures as prizes during an event. This is troubling on both an ethical level as well as a safety level, with little by way of patient care seemingly being considered.

As part of the prize, the winner would be entitled to a procedure of their choice providing it was up to a certain amount. The man who claimed one prize later ‘gifted it’ to his wife, who will be the one to undergo plastic surgery. This is not recommended nor is it something we would recommend.

Don’t trivialise cosmetic surgery procedures

There are multiple issues with this. Most notably it trivialises cosmetic surgery on a large scale. The decision to undergo procedures should not made lightly; it most certainly shouldn’t be made simply because it’s effectively free.

In the same way voucher sites such as Groupon and the like encourage and lure patients into undergoing (often unnecessary or sparsely considered) treatments giving cosmetic treatments or procedures away as a reward or a prize is simply dangerous.

Consider what would happen if the patient underwent a procedure they didn’t need or even really want. Even worse, imagine the uproar and upset for the patient and family if the procedure didn’t have the desired outcome?

We’ve seen these kinds of headlines time and time again, but still they pop up from time to time; granted more likely in the US than UK. From a plastic surgeon’s perspective it’s most definitely unethical, but it also trivialises the whole idea of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures.

To clarify, a patient should only ever undergo cosmetic surgery if:

  • It’s their choice: what are the motivations for surgery?
  • They are doing it for themselves; you should never have surgery of this kind for another person, or to impress anyone
  • They are suitable for the procedure; if you don’t need a rhinoplasty a reputable plastic surgeon will not give you one
  • They understand the risks as well as the rewards of their chosen procedure
  • They understand they may not like the results; expectation must be managed
  • They understand the recovery process involved in the specific procedure or treatment they’re considering

If you would like more information about any cosmetic procedure the best starting point is to book a consultation. Do your research and pick a reliable and regulated plastic surgeon who will only offer you surgery if you need it and when you are ready.

Make an informed decision

Call or email the clinic if you wish to discuss any treatment in more detail. You can also you the treatment pages and testimonials on the site to help your research.