In a world where we are constantly bombarded with images of ‘perfect’ people, and countless advertisements alerting us to the products that can fix all of our ‘flaws’ from uneven skin tone to a less-than-taut jawline, it is easy to see how we can become overly preoccupied with our appearance, and overly critical of the things we don’t like.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be attractive, and feel more confident about how we look. The problem is when we become obsessed with our imperfections, and never feeling satisfied with the improvements we make. So, buying special products or wearing a bit more make-up is all well and good.
You may even be considering plastic surgery to enhance your appearance, and when done for the right reasons, can be a real boost to your self-esteem and increase your satisfaction with your overall appearance. If you are considering a procedure, though, it is important you do a bit of self-reflection first to ensure this is a good move for you before visiting a plastic surgeon. Here are just a few questions to ask yourself.
Is There Anything Else I Can Do to Get My Desired Result?
Surgery is inherently risky, and while statistics are on your side as far as surviving the procedure intact and getting satisfactory results, unforeseen issues are always a possibility. There is also the chance you will not get the result you want and maybe even being worse off than you were before. Depending on the procedure you are considering, you should ask yourself if there are alternatives you should try. You have to be honest with yourself if you are looking for any quick fixes. For example, instead of developing the discipline to eat better and exercise, you just think you should get some liposuction and a tummy tuck.
Do I Have Realistic Expectations?
Plastic surgery can really make a positive difference in people’s lives, particularly those who were disfigured from disease or some other sort of trauma. But, if you are thinking about having cosmetic surgery solely to enhance your appearance, it is crucial you honestly evaluate your expectations. What do you think this surgery will do for you? What benefits do you hope you will get from it? If you are convinced this is the only thing standing in the way of finding a loving relationship, or that a smaller nose or larger breasts will give you inner peace, you may be in for a rude awakening. Because of the amount of energy we put into focusing on what we don’t like about our appearance, it is easy to wildly overestimate how much better we will feel if we get this ‘problem’ fixed.
Are You Doing this for Yourself or For Other People?
Are you considering this surgery for your own benefit, or are you doing it for other people. And by other people, I don’t just mean a significant other, but ‘society’ at large. If you have always wanted a bigger chest to feel more confident in your swimwear, get those implants if it will make you feel better. But, if your desire to get breast implants is to make yourself more attractive to your boyfriend, or because you think it will make men more interested in you, this may not work out so good. Is your desire for this surgery driven in any part by a desire to seem more attractive to other people, or achieve a look that conforms to the arbitrary standard of beauty? Do you derive much of your self-esteem from how others view you, and are hoping the procedure will create a more favorable impression of you by others?
Honestly answering these three questions will help you decide if this is the right way to go about improving your appearance and boosting your self-esteem.
