Cosmetic Surgery_ What You Should Know
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Cosmetic Surgery — What You Should Know
Stephanie Hampton
Axia College of University Of Phoenix
Cosmetic Surgery — What You Should Know
Cosmetic Surgery is a phenomenon that has increased over the past few years. Even though this epidemic has become very popular, there is so much to know about it before having it done. Most people who have cosmetic surgery do so to change their appearance by altering the parts of their bodies that make them unhappy. Being dissatisfied with one’s appearance sometimes brings down one’s self-esteem, and people feel as though cosmetic surgery can help them gain back the confidence they have lost. Depending on the type of procedure that a person receives, it can also improve one’s social life, sex life, and one’s interpersonal relationships with people. Other reasons for cosmetic surgery are “peer pressures”. Feeling unaccepted by one’s peers for the way you look plays a big part in wanting to have cosmetic surgery also. Feeling dissatisfied with one’s appearance is tough enough without adding the extra pressure of being made fun of. Some people get these procedures because they want to fit in. Being overweight and out of shape are two main factors in getting cosmetic procedures. The desire to want to fit in overwhelms individuals and they want to fix it.
There are many types of cosmetic surgery procedures. The two most important surgeries today are, plastic and reconstructive. Between these two procedures one is faced with surgical and non-surgical. Surgical procedures are when a person gets an actual incision and non-surgical is when you do not have to be cut on at all. Breast augmentation, chin and cheek implants, liposuction, and tummy tucks are just a few of the surgical procedures. Collagen injections, botox injections, facial threading, hair removal and micro-dermabrasion are a few of the non-surgical procedures. First a person has to examine their reasons for wanting to have cosmetic surgery and the type of procedure they are looking to have. Then the person does research on the benefits and risks involved with having a cosmetic procedure done. One also has to search for a qualified surgeon to do their surgery.
Cosmetic surgeries can be very expensive and elective cosmetic procedures are not covered by most insurance plans. On the other hand reconstructive surgery, which is another form of cosmetic surgery, is covered by most insurance plans. Reconstructive surgery is a procedure that is usually done to fix the aftermath of a bad accident, illness, birth defect, or a previous cosmetic surgery gone wrong. Unless the plastic surgery procedure is a medical issue, it will not be covered. Taking that into consideration, one has to see whether they can afford to pay for it on their own. These days many financial companies have loans designed especially for people who want to have expensive medical procedures done. They are called, “medical loans”. With this loan, a person can finance the cost of their surgery and make payments on it overtime. Some people would rather take this route than charge this expensive procedure on a high interest credit card. This gives them a chance to get their procedure done and not have to come up with such a large sum of money all at once. Some surgeons work with patients directly by offering them payment plans through their clinic. They allow patients to pay so much up front and pay the rest through monthly installments.
After learning about the procedures and the cost of it, one now has to decide where to have it done. When trying to find a qualified surgeon, a person wants to look for a board certified surgeon. Sometimes people can not afford to go to more expensive surgeons and try to take the cheaper route and go to what we call, “Chop Shops”. These are clinics that people go to that are not only dangerous, but most of the surgeons doing the procedures are not doctors nor are they board certified. They perform these procedures on patients and sometimes end up causing you more problems than you started with. Going to these chop shops give people a higher risk of developing complications. When contemplating having this surgery done, it is just best that you go to a “legit” surgeon. Make sure that a surgeon is not only board certified, but that they have experience and training in the procedure that one wants done. Make sure they are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Most surgeons will give patients their credentials and show them some of their past work.
Beware of misleading certifications also. Just because a surgeon is board certified, does not mean they have sufficient training and experience. Ask around for recommendations from family members or friends who have had procedures done. When a person finds a surgeon they are interested in, make an appointment for a consultation with them. At the consultation a surgeon will most likely ask a patient about their medical history and if they have had any previous procedures done. This is the patient’s opportunity as well to ask any questions or voice any concerns they may have. Never be afraid to ask questions and speak up. After all, this is one’s body and one’s health at stake.
As with any surgical procedure, there can be complications. Patients should always ask about any risks involved with the surgery. So many people fail to ask the necessary questions before getting these procedures done and the after effects are damaging and disappointing. One must realize though that there are no results that are 100% effective. Do not go into the surgery expecting A-1 results because there are no perfect results. Surgeons can’t guarantee perfect results. It has not been