Lifestyle & Skincare: Are you a good candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?

Undergoing cosmetic surgery is a personal choice. With people becoming more welcoming to the idea of plastic surgery, the number of patients getting them has also increased.

The growth of skincare industry has motivated and given customers the opportunity to look like the best versions of themselves using makeup and permanent surgical alternations, which they have been using with an open mind.

Cosmetic surgery is not only a great way of modifying the features, but it can also help in treating deformities on the face as well as the body, eliminating all types of insecurities. A patient can consider himself/herself a good candidate for cosmetic surgery if he/she is healthy, and have reasonable expectations, and acknowledges the risks involved in the procedure that they might be considering.

Patients with serious medical conditions like Diabetes, bleeding disorder, depression high blood pressure and heart disease should not consider cosmetic surgery. Patients who are obese or drink or smoke too much, are also bad candidates for cosmetic surgery.

The Dos and Don’t’s Before Cosmetic Surgery

Patients will be asked by their surgeon to make certain lifestyle changes before surgery. For instance, some cosmetic surgeons might ask smokers and alcohol drinkers to quit for three to four weeks before the procedure and avoid it for a couple of weeks post-surgery.

This allows the patient’s body to heal and recover properly from the operation. If the patient does not smoke, they should avoid even secondhand smoking pre and post-surgery.

Before your surgery, the patient should consult the depth of their health with their surgeon, discussing their lifestyle, any medical conditions, or if they are consuming any medications in detail. These details will allow the surgeon to create a suitable treatment plan for the patient.

Patients should remain transparent about the use of any type of vitamin or supplement they might be taking with their surgeon to avoid any future complications. Some medicines can interfere with the drugs used in the surgery or make the patient prone to bleeding risk.

Making the Decision to Have Cosmetic Surgery

If given a choice we would all like to alter something about our appearance slightly, and there is nothing wrong in it if it makes someone more confident. However, the feature or part that the patient wants to alter or improve might vary for everyone, and in some case, it might include some risk.

Patient’s skin type and thickness and other unique characteristics act as factors that are used for determining a suitable cosmetic procedure.

Most people who enter the clinic of a cosmetic surgeon, usually have a clear picture of what they want to change, which can be unrealistic at times. Then the surgeon discusses realistic outcomes, and based on that the procedure date is scheduled.

For example, skin resurfacing techniques are suitable for patients with fair skin and light color hair, who want to have clear skin. And the results of rhinoplasty (nose surgery) are best seen on people with delicate and thin nasal skin.

Which Cosmetic Procedure is More Suitable for your skin type?

Lip augmentation

Young patients with fuller lips and older patients with thin lips are a good candidate of lip augmentation. Patients who have or are taking medication for Acne such as Accutane or if they are afflicted with conditions: diabetes, herpes, an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or any serious allergic reactions should avoid getting lip augmentation. Patients should get an allergy test to prevent the risk of developing a negative reaction from the implanted material.

Cheek Implants

Patients with early sagging of their cheeks or flat cheekbones can consider getting cheek implants. However, if patients have excess sagging on their cheeks, the outcome of the surgery, might not be that aesthetically pleasing. Patients with excessive sagging skin can consider getting a facelift for better results. Also, patients should note that check implants have a risk of infection, which is caused by patients body rejecting to the implant. These cheek implants are also prone to shift or move from the original position which might require another procedure.

Chin implant

Patients with weak or imbalanced chin can use this procedure to make their face more symmetrical. Patients with abnormal dental bite who require jaw realignment should not get a chin implant. Chin implant might include the risk of infection due to allergy or requirement of another procedure if the implants moved to an abnormal position.

Forehead/brow lift

People with heavy eyebrows, frown lines and deep forehead wrinkles can get amazing results from brow lift surgery. While patients who are balding or get scarred easily should avoid getting this procedure as it can leave a permanent mark on their face. There is a high risk of patients losing their hair on the surgical site and also causing numbness on the location.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

Patients with bags, droopy eyelids, or puffiness around their eyes can be considered good candidates for this surgery. However, patients with fine lines, crow’s feet and dark circles should avoid this procedure. Some of the risk involved in this surgery are blindness, permanent visible scar, eyelid pulling and dry eyes.

Nasal surgery (rhinoplasty)

Patients with a crooked or large nose that has a bump or looks droopy can use rhinoplasty to correct it. Rhinoplasty is difficult to operate on patients with thick skin, or children (as they have not fully developed physically) or if they play any contact sports. Patient must accept the possibility that they might require additional procedures for completely achieving their desired results.

Face/neck lift (rhytidectomy)

Rhytidectomy can help patients with sagginess on their face and neck, get a younger appearance by surgically removing the jowls, deep wrinkles and the double chin on their skin. Patients whose skin lacks flexibility or elasticity or are obese should avoid undergoing facelift or neck lift surgery. Patients should realize that they will continue to age which tampers the results achieved by the surgery. Rhytidectomy includes risk factors like scarring, partial facial paralysis, numbness, skin loss, and change in hairline.

Caution:

Remember, the results achieved by these procedures are temporary and do not last forever. Cosmetic surgery does not stop the natural aging phenomenon. Patients should think in advance if they want to make this change in their appearance or not and whether they are the right age to get a cosmetic surgery. For example, a facelift is more suitable for patients in their 30s, or 40s than a teenager. A facelift lasts for around 5 to 10 years.