Making the
decision to change your appearance is one that is fraught with complexity, and
having a balanced understanding of what it entails is essential if you are to
get the results that you want from the process.
This article provides information about various treatments that are
available, along with outlining the risks and benefits that they offer.
Cosmetic
surgery is sometimes used interchangeably with the term plastic surgery. This
isn’t an entirely accurate use, though, because plastic surgery can be for
purely functional reasons. Cosmetic surgery can be to improve aesthetic
appearance as well as function, or just appearance. Typically, in our society,
cosmetic surgery is seen as elective and optional. That isn’t always the way
clients see it however.
Take, for instance, a young adult female with differently shaped breasts or
breasts that are “lopsided.” This is, technically, probably merely an issue of
aesthetics. What, though, of the emotional effects such a condition could have
on the young woman? Chances are, she’s already dealt with her fair share of
embarrassment or shame in the locker room, at sleepovers, camp, while shopping
for good-fitting bras, etc. Though the problem is in no way her fault, the
young woman probably carries some shame with her. The effects of that emotional
burden can damage a young lady’s self-esteem and her romantic relationships.
Other issues, as noted, could be merely for reasons related to improved
physical appearance. Rhinoplasty (nose jobs) is a popular cosmetic procedure,
and fairly easy to perform and recover from. Dermal fillers, such as Restylane
and Juvederm, are also very popular. These fillers are commonly injected into
areas of the face where lines and wrinkles are prone to appear. Another popular
cosmetic treatment that’s received media attention in recent years is Botox.
Botox is injected into the skin and paralyzes the nerves in that area, which
leads to a very smooth appearance.
Cosmetic surgery procedures such as breast
enlargement can lead to both physical and emotional benefits for the
client. Even if one does not suffer from embarrassment and shame, as in the
example of the young lady with the breast issues, some people can just feel
self-conscious about something. If a minor cosmetic procedure is all that is
needed for one to feel more confident and spend less time obsessing about a
particular feature of their face or body, then perhaps it’s a good choice.
It wouldn’t be fair to talk strictly about the benefits of cosmetic surgery.
Some attention must be paid to the potential risks of cosmetic surgery. The
most obvious one is that it won’t work to fix the problem. Whether the problem
is physical, psychological, or emotional, the possibility must be acknowledged
that the client will not be happy after the procedure. It is possible that when
the procedure is finished, the client will realize there was a deeper issue.
For example, self-esteem issues may not disappear overnight, even if the
perceived physical flaw is gone.
Another potential risk of cosmetic surgery is
that it brings new problems. With any kind of surgery, there is always the
potential for death or other adverse effects—infection, improper healing, etc.
Or if one finances the procedure(s), they may find that it is harder to keep up
with the payments than they had realized, adding a new layer of stress to their
lives.
The risks and benefits of cosmetic surgery should be thoroughly researched and
weighed by the client. Part of the process may even be a recommendation by the
cosmetic surgeon for the client to have a psychological evaluation or some
counselling, to determine if the client’s expectations are realistic. Do not be
offended if such a suggestion comes up, as it is a measure to protect both the
client and the cosmetic surgeon. Any type of surgery requires thought,
planning, and evaluation, in order for both parties to be satisfied with the
outcome.
Surgicare is a UK based cosmetic surgery company
that provides patients with a wide range of treatments from major procedures
such as breast enlargements through to simpler treatments such as chemical
peels and dermal fillers.
