Cosmetic Procedures

Choosing to have a cosmetic procedure is a personal decision that needs to be made in consultation with a plastic surgeon. It’s necessary to have all the relevant facts.

Having cosmetic surgery to improve your appearance is a big step, but it’s one that can lead to a whole new sense of self.

Are you a good candidate for a cosmetic procedure?
In order to determine if you are a good candidate for a cosmetic procedure, your surgeon will consider several things, including:

your general health
your current and past medical history
your state of mind
your reasons for wanting the procedure done
You need to have realistic expectations of the outcome of the procedure.

What are your alternatives?
If you are looking for alternatives to cosmetic procedures, some do exist.

For example, to remove unwanted hair, you may prefer to use wax, depilatory creams, or shaving. Alternatives to tooth-whitening cosmetic procedures include whitening toothpastes.

If you are considering liposuction to reduce excess body weight, you may wish to look first at other means of losing the weight through diet and/or exercise - a certified nutritionist or dietitian may guide you to approaches you hadn’t been aware of.

If you want to keep your facial skin toned, facial exercises may help. To help your skin remain young and healthy, you should:

wear a daily moisturizer with a minimum of SPF 15 to protect from UV damage that causes premature wrinkles and fine lines
avoid smoking, which deprives your body of oxygen
drink the recommended 8 glasses of water each day to retain moisture in your skin
Many people find that changing their clothing, hair, or makeup can minimize an apparent flaw or even present it as a positive distinctive feature. Some things that are undesirable to some people are even positive attributes in the eyes of others - a certain shape of nose, for instance, or physical features that give an air of maturity. And what may seem like a terrible defect to the person who has it may be virtually unnoticeable to others - and may seem much less important at a later time.

More:
What is a cosmetic procedure?
What are the risks of cosmetic procedures?
What can I expect after my procedure?

modified from bodyandhealth.canada.com