Image by: Joshua Valcarcel
By: George Lamb
So you’ve watched the entire series of Nip Tuck a few times and finally decided that you want to go ahead and leave the future of your aesthetics in the hands of Dr. Shwartz. It’s great you want to boost your confidence, but before you proceed there are many things you must consider before proceeding with this life altering change. The main thing you want to ask yourself is—for what reason do I need to change my appearance?
Now, the obvious answer may be to boost your confidence–but that’s not detailed enough. Considering the implications that come along with physically altering yourself, that answer will not suffice.
You need to be able to answer–for what reason do I need to build my confidence? That may seem like a conundrum, but if you’re trying to flatten that stomach via tummy tuck for your girlfriends’ Brad Pitt fantasies then you may want to re evaluate your relationship. But if you come to your own adult conclusion that you want to make this life altering decision, then by all means feel free, as long as its your decision and no one else’s.
I’m going to go ahead and be a good sport and provide with you with a few tips you need to know before going under the knife.
#1) Can Be Addicting
Before you consider following through with that operation, keep in mind that you may open a Pandora’s box you won’t be able to shut. The idea in itself is enchanting: being able to pay money to look exactly the way you want. But the reality of it can be grim, allowing you to be so consumed with physical attributes that you base your entire life on trying to fix things that aren’t really wrong.
This can prove to be a huge problem down the line, as you may find yourself thousands of dollars in debt and resembling either an animal or some kind of porcelain doll. It goes without saying that most plastic surgery addicts, even if they won’t admit it, regret ever going under the needle. Often times they even looked better before than after, just look at the cat woman for example…
#2) Fees & Insurance
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery generally are paid in advance to the actual surgery. Costs vary widely and depend on how difficult the operation is, what area of location the surgery takes place and which anesthetic is administered.
Unfortunately (or perhaps for the better) cosmetic surgery is considered what they call elective surgery, and this type of operation is typically not covered by insurance plans. That means the ridiculous amounts of money that injections and operations demand will likely be coming directly out of your wallet.There are some exceptions, though, in which case you may be able to plead a case for an operation having a functional aspect. Such as if a certain part of your body interferes with normal activities–circumcision, say for instance or for a woman perhaps breast reduction surgery if she’s suffering from chronic back pains.
Of course, as I am not a plastic surgeon I don’t know the exact specifications , but if you give your local knife wielder a call he should be able to answer all the questions you have to ask concerning coverage plans. Another thing to keep in mind is to never choose a doctor just because they offer a lower price. It’s a known fact that anything that is cheaper than normal will often be less in quality–and when it comes to making a change on your body that will likely be permanent, quality is essential.
#3) Safety
Plastic surgery is typically performed in a safe environment like a free standing ambulatory surgery facility or an accredited office-based surgery facility. So before you agree to meeting a “surgeon” on craigslist offering botox for the same price as a McDonalds meal, you may want to make sure this doctor has privileges to perform the procedure in an accredited hospital, as an operation in a dark, fetid basement can prove to be an unpleasant decision.
#4) Risks
Even though plastic surgeons perform thousands of successful operations, mistakes do sometimes occur. A patient can have an adverse reaction to the anesthetic or even be affected by post-op complications such as excessive swelling or bleeding. As you can probably imagine, this will inevitably lead to a world of pain you should prepare yourself for if you decide to proceed.
These circumstances can occur even if the surgeon performed the operation to the best of his abilities, and while the quality of the surgeon himself does matter, complications you would face may be a result of how your particular body works.
#5) Recovery
Does a woman who just gave birth go and have sex that very night? Of course not! If that were the case I can imagine it would be extremely unpleasant for both parties. This is why the term “recovery” exists, to give your body an ample amount of healing and resting time to recuperate and return to normal. And this may include restricting your normal, every day activities for a select time period following the operation. It takes time to heal, and depending on how large of an operation you would have done, this can effect your job, personal life and relationships.
Still want to do it…?
Have you built up enough courage to venture under the knife or needle? I’ve gotta say, you’re quite a brave character… Tell us about what procedures you have in mind and how you plan on spending your recovery process!