Realistic Expectations When Seeking Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgeons are always talking about realistic expectations. What exactly does that mean, you might ask. Here is an interesting term that may help explain. The “range of believability” is the concept. What do you believe can be achieved? When a person first seriously considers seeking cosmetic surgery, it may feel as if new potentially liberating options have opened up. On the other hand, it may feel scary. These feelings describe a range of expectation, or belief about what is possible. Just from that range of possible feelings, you can see that cosmetic surgery is an emotional issue. It’s easy to be too optimistic or too pessimistic about cosmetic surgery. So the first step is to honestly ask yourself, “Why do I want cosmetic surgery?” There are many, many reasons people have cosmetic surgery. Make a list! Why do you want it? What do expect from cosmetic surgery? How long have you wanted it? What kind of change do you think/expect it will make in your life? It is also wise to think about how you will feel if your goals are achieved before you have the cosmetic procedure.

Because cosmetic surgery is expensive, involves recovery time, and in most cases is permanent, you want to assess your motives closely. Once you have that list of why, what, and how mentioned above, it is then the proper time to consider a consultation with a surgeon. Communication is the key to getting exactly what you want from a cosmetic procedure. If you have done your work, and can be up front and honest about what you want and why you want it, your surgeon can give you the information you need in order to continue the decision making process. This is how you can develop a goal and discover how to achieve it with your cosmetic surgeon.

Studies have shown that cosmetic surgery can improve self esteem and self confidence, correct physical flaws or defects, and minimize evidence of aging. Your reason for seeking a procedure may well fit into one of those categories. However, it is unlikely it will improve your social life or the way you look at the world.

The best candidates for cosmetic surgery are patients who have self esteem and a good self image, but have been concerned over a flaw for long period of time. Another good candidate would be someone who wants to improve a feature, or minimize the effects of aging. In either case, what these patients  have in common is self esteem, and self motivation. Do not get cosmetic surgery to please someone else.  Realistic expectations means being able to assess your motivations, then understand and assess the facts of the range of possibility, and finally adjust your goals to balance those factors. Unrealistic expectations include expecting cosmetic surgery to change your life, or to make you look like a certain celebrity, and perfectionism.

At Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, we want patients to be honest about their motivations and expectations. In doing so, we can help you develop realistic self improvement goals and then achieve your goals.

Call Melinda at the front desk to set up a consultation at 501-227-0707