Are you a candidate for cosmetic surgery?

Admit it, you’ve thought about cosmetic surgery. Statistics show that more people than ever are turning to plastic surgery to tighten up their appearance or change it altogether. However, the truth of the matter is that cosmetic surgery is a medical procedure with risks and restrictions. Not everyone is the perfect candidate for a surgery. And here’s why.

You’re not done growing

Younger cosmetic surgery patients are the most likely to be declined as candidates. Anyone that still has growing to complete or who might still undergo a growth spurt can be at risk of stunting that growth if they have surgery. Girls, for example, that want breast augmentations will want to wait to see how large their breasts will grow before they decide to increase the size. Other popular procedures for the young include tummy tucks and nose jobs when these problems may also resolve with diet and exercise or just growth.

You’re not healthy

Cosmetic surgery is surgery – plain and simple. This means that you need to be in the best shape that you can be to handle the stress that you’re going to put on your body. If you’re out of shape, smoke, or just aren’t in good health, you may be more likely to develop complications or have a longer recovery period. You will want to make sure that your health is stable first before even considering the idea of plastic surgery. Who knows? Maybe getting in shape is all you need.

You’re not compliant

After a cosmetic surgery, you will receive a list of things that you can and can not do. If you are unable or unwilling to follow doctor’s orders, you might not be the right candidate for surgery. Prior to surgery, you may also be given instructions that you need to follow to the letter. Ask yourself if you have the time and the dedication to follow these kinds of instructions. If not, you might not get the results that you want.

You’re not emotionally ready

Cosmetic surgery can be difficult to handle emotionally. When you change the way that you look, you can feel guilty for changing the face or body that you have naturally or you can be upset if something doesn’t look as perfect as you want it to. You need to be able to realize that no one is perfect and that no one’s body will ever become perfect through surgery. To have much unrealistic expectations is to set yourself up for depression and possibly anxiety.

You aren’t educated on the surgery

Before going into any cosmetic surgery, you need to know what you can expect in terms of the pre-operative routine, the risks and complications, the actual procedure as well as the recovery time. Armed with this information, you can make a more realistic decision as to whether you’re the best person for this procedure.

Cosmetic surgery isn’t for everyone, but with these guidelines in mind, you can see if you’re the right candidate. And of course, you’ll have to check with your doctor.