Plastic Reasons - Reasons Not to Have It (Yet)

Plastic surgery can enhance and alter the look of the targeted area of the body as patients have a procedure for cosmetic or functional reasons (or both). In general, ideal plastic surgery candidates are in good health and will maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle following their procedure. Even if a person has performed proper research about their desired treatment, there are some reasons they should not have plastic surgery at the moment.

Plastic Surgery – Reasons to Delay Having a Procedure

The overall health of a person is a vital factor in determining if someone is an ideal candidate for plastic surgery. Besides having a healthy BMI (body mass index), the person should also have a personal history of good health because a history of pulmonary or cardiac disease, bleeding disorders, or poor compliance with medications can make someone a less than ideal candidate for plastic surgery. Health issues in the past can impact the ability to have plastic surgery in the present if these issues have not been addressed, treated, or resolved by a medical professional. A board-certified and trained member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons can perform a thorough medical examination to make sure the person is healthy enough to have the plastic surgery procedure of choice.

The decision to have plastic surgery is a personal one which means the person having the treatment should want to make the desired changes because it is a look they want to gain from the procedure. They should not want to have the surgery in order to make another person happy with their appearance. A person who is feeling pressured by someone else to make changes to their appearance should strongly consider not having any type of plastic surgery. An individual who is thinking about plastic surgery should have a discussion with a doctor or a close friend or family member to discuss the procedure in order to make sure it is what they really want for their own self-image or peace of mind.

Unfortunately, there are some people who do not have a close friend or family member they can turn to when they need to discuss their feelings about having plastic surgery. However, a strong support system is necessary because the recovery process from a procedure is not always easy enough for a single person to handle on their own. For example, assistance will be needed to change dressings and bandages or keep drains empty and clean after a tummy tuck. Even making sure you are sleeping in the correct position after a procedure such as breast augmentation can require someone monitoring the patient and helping when necessary. Patients will often need help doing simple tasks on a daily basis such as opening a door, lifting heavy objects, and taking a shower. It is important to have a good support system and recovery plan in place to properly heal during the post-operative period. Someone who does not have a good support system in place should talk to their doctor about outpatient care options that help to ensure the necessary help is available after plastic surgery.

One of the main concerns plastic surgeons often have about potential patients is making sure the person does not suffer from body dysmorphia. A person who has body dysmorphia suffers from a mental health condition where the individual cannot stop thinking about one or more perceived flaws or defects in their appearance (even though the flaw is either minor in nature or it is not visible to others). The individual is hyper-focused on the perceived or imaginary flaw so the potential patient must be in a clear state of mind before having a surgery that could possibly alter the body on a permanent basis. Body dysmorphia goes beyond being insecure about the look of a certain area of the body. This overriding concern about the appearance of the body needs to be treated through a combination of medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and interactions with a mental health professional before any type of plastic surgery can be performed on the body of the patient.

A person who does not have realistic expectations when it comes to the results they can expect to achieve should not have a procedure until they know what to expect. Thanks to celebrities being more open about the plastic surgery procedures they had in the past; it is sometimes difficult for the public to know what to expect from their results as they might be under the impression they will look exactly like the celebrity they admire. In other words, someone might not be an ideal candidate if they are expecting to gain the exact appearance or look of another person. When it comes to having unrealistic expectations, it is also important to remember that plastic surgery is able to address certain issues on specific parts of the body as opposed to giving someone a “perfect” look.

- MA