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Top Tips
Top Tips for tip-top resultsEvery year aesthetic surgery becomes easier, safer and more affordable. And magazines are forever spotlighting particular procedures and the latest cosmetic treatments. No wonder we all fancy having a bit of work done – even at a low-key level.
If you’re used to having manicures, pedicures and facials it’s no big deal to schedule a dermal filler or lip enhancement. But in your zest for beauty, remember that treatments which seem minor like Botox® are still a medical procedure. You’re responsible for choosing to have aesthetic treatment or surgery so you need to be informed. So let’s run through some top tips:
Why do you want the surgery or treatment? Why exactly? If you’ve got self-esteem or confidence issues, work through them so you feel good about the way you are right now
Be informed. Read as much as you can, listen, ask questions. Use our forums. You’ll feel more confident knowing more. This can be really helpful during your recovery.
Have realistic expectations about your surgery or treatment. Connecting with other people who’ve had similar surgery or treatment can really help.
Find a surgeon or consultant you feel comfortable with. You want a surgeon or consultant who is not only accredited, but one you can trust. Feeling supported before, during and after your surgery will aid your healing process.
Ask them everything. When you meet with your surgeon take a list of questions with you and don’t feel silly taking notes so you can read them when you get home. You should ask:
a. where exactly you’ll be having the surgery
b. are you having local or general anaesthetic
c. how long the procedure will take
a. where exactly you’ll be having the surgery
b. are you having local or general anaesthetic
c. how long the procedure will take
d. what the recovery period is
e. about the negative aspects: side effects, level of pain, scarring, swelling, safety and risks
f. what type of after-surgery care your surgeon provides i.e. how many follow-up appointments will there be and how often
g. how experienced your surgeon is in carrying out this procedure
h. will your surgeon be around for whatever your total recovery period is, so that you can contact him/her later?
e. about the negative aspects: side effects, level of pain, scarring, swelling, safety and risks
f. what type of after-surgery care your surgeon provides i.e. how many follow-up appointments will there be and how often
g. how experienced your surgeon is in carrying out this procedure
h. will your surgeon be around for whatever your total recovery period is, so that you can contact him/her later?
Don’t let costs factor into your choice! Yes, have a budget but this is one bargain that could be very unattractive. If a surgery or beauty salon is offering you a cheap price, ask yourself why
Find someone you can talk to. Ideally, find a plastic surgery or cosmetic treatment ‘buddy’ who you can discuss your surgery or treatment with – find one in our forum.
Give yourself recovery time. Give yourself plenty of hermit-time after your cosmetic surgery. You may feel a bit vulnerable so take your time before going back to work or socialising.
Know what you want. Be very clear about exactly how you want your new boobs, belly, nose, face, eyes, mouth or any part of you to look. Plastic surgeons are not miracle workers; they still have to work with your underlying bone structure. Be guided by them in how you’ll look.
Be aware that most plastic surgeons have particular ‘styles’. A nose job from one surgeon may be more ‘natural’ than one from another. Which would you prefer? Find a surgeon who has a natural affinity for how you want to look. Use our site for this – not just the forums but also check what ratings surgeons have been given by past patients in our search facility.
If your surgeon says he can’t or won’t do something, respect that. He or she is thinking of what’s in your best interest.
Don’t go abroad. While prices for surgery overseas seem attractive, travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery isn’t clever. You will probably fly back still swollen or feeling banged about. You also risk medical complications – what if something goes wrong later? Will you be able to fly back to have it fixed?
Make sure you check qualifications. Even when you have your surgery done in the UK, you need to check that your surgeon is a UK-qualified surgeon.
Another qualification issue – if your plastic surgeon only has MBBS or MBCBH after their name, they must be supervised when performing any cosmetic surgery procedure.
Laser eye surgery? Laser surgery is now very common. Make sure your surgeon has completed the Royal College of Opthamology Laser Refractory course. This is supplementary, not compulsory.
Healing
If you were running a marathon, you’d get into shape beforehand. Do the same with your cosmetic surgery operation. Be at your healthiest when you go under the knife so you spring back with a great recovery.
After surgery
DO:
- use plenty of moisturiser
- have plenty of ice or post-surgery ice packs in your freezer to reduce swelling and pain
- drink lots of water
- eat foods rich in vitamin C, e.g. fruit. This is excellent to help your skin form collagen and heal with minimal scarring
DON’T:
- go out in the sun without wearing maximum sunblock (SPF40+)
- have garlic, liquorice or red wine, aspirin or ibuprofen for up to a week
- smoke or drink alcohol which can hinder tissue healing
- use skin cleansers and toners until skin is healed
- take any homoeopathic remedies or vitamins unless you check with your surgeon first, e.g. Arnica 30c can help with surface bruising
- use plenty of moisturiser
- have plenty of ice or post-surgery ice packs in your freezer to reduce swelling and pain
- drink lots of water
- eat foods rich in vitamin C, e.g. fruit. This is excellent to help your skin form collagen and heal with minimal scarring
DON’T:
- go out in the sun without wearing maximum sunblock (SPF40+)
- have garlic, liquorice or red wine, aspirin or ibuprofen for up to a week
- smoke or drink alcohol which can hinder tissue healing
- use skin cleansers and toners until skin is healed
- take any homoeopathic remedies or vitamins unless you check with your surgeon first, e.g. Arnica 30c can help with surface bruising
