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Cosmetic surgery has become much more popular in recent years as domestic wealth has increased. Having a nip and tuck or a nose job is no longer the preserve of the rich and famous – in fact it’s now an affordable dream for many ordinary people, especially as there are now plenty of competitive credit and loan deals on the market. However, if you’re considering getting cosmetic surgery, it’s important to think it through carefully to ensure you understand why you want it and what the likely results and potential risks are, so that you can make an informed choice. Here is some advice to help you weigh up your options. Cosmetic surgery is a major undertaking and one that shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. It will change your appearance forever, perhaps in ways that you might not want, especially in the future as you age. Never rush into a decision. Before you even approach any cosmetic surgeons, think carefully about why you want the surgery and be honest with yourself about what it is likely to achieve for you. Do you think it will change your life and make you happier? If so, how? Will it really alter your appearance in the way you want it to? Are you doing it for yourself or for someone else? Sometimes there are social or psychological reasons behind a person’s desire to change their appearance, so if after self-reflection you think this could be the case, speak to your family doctor as there may be support and counselling available to you. Also consider whether there are any less drastic alternatives to going under the knife. Could it just be a matter of changing your beauty regime and make-up techniques? It might be a good idea to have a consultation with a beautician for advice. Good quality skincare products and correctly applied make-up can make a big difference. Alternatively, perhaps it could be a matter of getting a good quality, more flattering haircut to suit your complexion and shape of face. It could also be worth making an appointment with a good hairdresser. If it’s your body image you’re worried about, have you considered losing weight or finding the right exercise regime to target the areas you’re self-conscious about? If you have tried dieted and exercising without success, again it might be worth seeing a professional dietician or fitness instructor who will establish your needs and work out a programme to suit you. You may also be surprised at what a difference a good-fitting bra can make if you’re worried about your breast size. The main support should be provided by the back strap and not the shoulder straps, which many women don’t realise and mistakenly choose a back size that’s too big – and often a cup size that’s too small. Also, everyone’s breasts are a different shape so different types suit different people – balconettes, full cups, plunges or three-quarter cups, for example. Go to a specialist lingerie store to have a fitting and splash out on one or two top-of-the-range, supportive bras. Bra fittings aren’t the only thing that many women get wrong. A lot of people wear clothes that just don’t flatter their shape either. Rather than emphasising good areas, it’s common to try to cover up areas about which we are self-conscious, which often has the opposite effect. And many women who are worried about their weight will wear baggy, shapeless clothes in an attempt to hide what they believe to be their ‘wobbly’ bits. Furthermore, many women tend to blindly follow fashions and trends without considering whether the latest style really suits them. Colour is important too when it comes to clothing, as we all have different complexions and skin tones and what we wear, especially around our faces, can reflect on our skin and either brighten it up or make it look peaky, drawn and tired. Consult a personal shopper, image consultant or colour analyst for professional advice. If you’re still sure that cosmetic surgery is the best way forward, speak to your family doctor first as they’ll be able to give you appropriate health advice and will be able to highlight any personal health issues that could have an impact on the surgery. Then look around for providers. Although cosmetic surgery is a private industry in the UK, it’s strictly regulated and all cosmetic surgeons must be registered with the Health Commission. Ask to see the hospital/surgery’s Health Commission registration and ensure it’s up to date. The Health Commission inspects all premises regularly and produces reports, which are available for the public to view. Check out the Health website for reports on the inspections that have taken place at the premises you are considering. When you have an initial consultation with the company, ask what the representative’s role is. Only a medical professional should be giving you advice on cosmetic surgery, so don’t accept advice from anyone else. A ‘Patient advisor’ may just be a salesperson. Discuss in detail with the surgeon the details of what the procedure will entail, including risks and benefits, length of procedure, length of recovery time, and any potential scarring, and question them about their experience and qualifications. Also be honest about your medical history, as this will be crucial for your own health and safety and could also have an impact on results. Find out what the exact costs will be and what they include, such as care after surgery, any medication that will be needed, or any subsequent surgery that may be required. Also find out what the cancellation costs will be in case you change your mind. Don’t feel pressured into making a decision on the spot. You should be given written information to take away so that you can make an informed choice without pressure. If, after careful thought and consideration, you decide to go ahead with the surgery, you’ll be asked to sign a written consent form. Of course, before you do this, you’ll need to work out how you can finance the surgery. Do you have your own savings? If not, you’ll need to take out some kind of loan or credit. More and more people are taking out secured homeowner loans to provide them with the large amounts of cash required for major purchases such as cosmetic surgery. Using the equity available within your home by remortgaging or refinancing can free up a great deal of cash at favourable interest rates and repayment terms. This is because secured loans tend to be less risky for the lender than unsecured personal loans as your home is used as a guarantee (although this means that you could have your home repossessed if you can’t keep up with repayments). Like cosmetic surgery, taking out a secured homeowner loan is a major undertaking and should not be considered lightly. Weigh up all the pros and cons carefully before you decide to proceed. This article is copyright protected and is not for republishing |
