The aim of every cosmetic surgery is to enhance your appearance, not making it worse or unnatural. So it’s pretty normal that no one wants to make mistakes.
Unfortunately, we see a lot of posts on social media and TV advocating for various doctor claiming them to be highly skilled in performing difficult cosmetic surgeries. This is somewhat dangerous, because nowadays, even a GP can use the term “cosmetic surgeon” and unfortunately potential patients aren’t aware what that title actually entails. So to save you from future mishaps, mistakes and confusion, here are terms how you can choose a good surgeon.
Lean more about the surgeon and qualifications
First and foremost, you need to know WHO exactly will be performing your cosmetic surgery and what are his / her qualifications, what type of medical and surgical training did they go through.
Do some online search. If they are truly a qualified plastic, cosmetic or reconstructive surgeon, they will most likely be a part of an association like ASPS.
A surgeon that is qualified will have a title of Specialist Plastic Surgeon or Cosmetic Surgeon next to his / her name similarly like Dentists, Dermatologist or General Practitioners have.
Read up on possible dangers and side effects of cosmetic surgery
Sometimes, not always, cosmetic surgeries might result in botched outcomes. These can come both from the lack for experience from doctors and from the hospital / clinic itself. If you might be considering doing your cosmetic surgery abroad, be aware that complications and botched outcomes can happen due to:
- Various infections and bacteria
- Variation if medications
- Taking a flight back home too soon, before your wounds have time to settle properly
- Communication and language barriers
- The quality of the tools and implants the surgeon uses
Water bacteria risk you NEED to consider
Let’s say that you decided to have a cosmetic surgery overseas. You can’t come home immediately, Your body and surgical site need to recover, but you also need to maintain good hygiene. So naturally, taking showers with the local water is necessary. But is this wise?
Back home, you use water that your body is used to. Waters abroad usually have germs and bacteria that you’re not used to.
Even simple things, like brushing your teeth with water that chemical composition than your local tap water is risky
If you contact some bacteria from the water, you can get gastro-related vomiting or some type of staph infection
Back at home, you have medical care. The insurance you buy for your trip overseas, might not provide you with all the necessary coverage
Follow up care overseas is usually not provided. But back home, you can always follow up with your cosmetic surgeon in case you have doubts, questions or concerns.
Don’t fly for a cosmetic surgery
Flying for a cosmetic surgery is dangerous. And flying back home too soon is not a great idea. Doctors highly recommend that for the first month or so, you don’t fly at all. This important if you want to avoid complications like deep vein thrombosis, blood clots etc. Blood clots aren’t dangerous but if they form in deep veins or get loose and travel to your other organs, let’s say your lungs, then they can create serious problems. If that happens and you’re up in the air, you don’t have the medical assistance you need.
Pick from the best local cosmetic surgery specialists
Every time a local cosmetic surgeon sees a patient, they pay extra attention to him/her because the outcome of their procedure can make or break the surgeon’s reputation. That’s mostly not the case with overseas surgeons. So that’s why choosing a local surgeon might be your best bet. The local cosmetic surgeon:
- Understands that your recovery after surgery is important and vital for achieving the best results
- Is more accessible and reachable if you need them for questions, concerns or advice
- Is well-established in your community and is well-known
- Has as much to gain/loose from the long-term outcome of your surgery
- Sticks to well-know and proven surgical methods and techniques that they have extensive experience in
- Often communicates with other surgical peers, share knowledge, findings and research
Choose a local hospital instead of an overseas one
This is as important as choosing the right cosmetic surgeon because local hospitals pay extra attention in maintaining the high-standard in:
- Keeping the facilities sterilized
- Patient care
- Keeping the number of staff on an optimal level so that every patient is covered
- Upholding certain safety protocols and infection control measures
- Proper medication and pain management
Rethink why you’re having cosmetic surgery and always get a second opinion
Before committing to a cosmetic surgery, you need to clearly know what are your reasons for having the surgery. The most important thing is that YOU are the one who wants the surgery, and that you’re doing it for yourself, not to please someone else. In order to achieve the best possible results, you need to make sure that:
- You get the right type of cosmetic surgery
- Your reasons for having the surgery are sound and valid
- The surgery is done in the right facility and with a qualified cosmetic surgeon
- Your expectations of possible outcomes are realistic
- You follow the post-surgical recommendations that your doctor gives you
- You are fully ready for the surgery, both physically and mentally
Cosmetic surgery is something that you need to do right, with the right doctor and under the right circumstances / environment. The long-term results depend on this.
If you have doubts, questions and concerns, you should always contact your doctor and schedule a consultation. It’s best to have all questions answered before the procedure.
So if you would like to schedule consult, please reach out and let us help you alleviate your concerns.
