If you live in a culture obsessed with appearance, the person who is totally detached, and completely comfortable with how they look is a rare bird indeed. That would be pretty awesome, but caring how we look is not necessarily a bad thing. Even the least vain among us like the idea of other people thinking we are attractive, and want to look good.
When we look good, we feel good. If there is an aspect of your physical appearance about which you feel uncomfortable, getting cosmetic surgery can be a real boost to your self-esteem and confidence. But, before you run off to a plastic surgeon and schedule a procedure, it is important you determine you are doing it for the right reasons, and you have thought it through carefully. Here are just a things to really think about before you take this step.
Why?
Whenever we are contemplating a big decision, it is important to really think about why we are considering whatever it is we are considering. This sounds kind of obvious, but it is an easy step to skip, and then we end up doing something for all the wrong reasons, and we don’t get the result for which we were hoping. If you are thinking about getting any sort of cosmetic procedure, it is important to determine why you want it. There are a lot of good reasons, and a lot of bad reasons, and I couldn’t possibly cover them all here.
But, generally speaking, if you are doing it to please someone else, because someone else is actually pressuring you to do it, or you feel like you should conform to some ideal of beauty determined by ‘’society at large,’’ then it is probably not a good idea. If you are truly doing it for you, and no one else, it is probably okay to move forward.
Realistic Expectations
After determining why you want it, it is important to identify your expectations. What are you hoping this procedure will do for you? What are you expecting to happen? Cosmetic surgery can certainly be life-changing for many people, like those who suffer deformities from birth defects, or as a result of an illness or accident.
But, for people with pure cosmetic concerns, there is a tendency to really overestimate the effects it will have on how you view your physical appearance, and the emotional benefits. And this overestimation is understandable. The amount of energy expended on focusing on our flaws is great, and it is easy to think that once it is fixed, we will feel much more at peace given the great degree of inner turmoil we feel now about the aspects of our body we dislike. Enlarging the breasts, or shrinking the nose you have always been self-conscious about can certainly give you a boost, but it you expect this to be the ticket to everlasting happiness and peace of mind, you will probably be disappointed.
Discussing Your Options
When meeting with plastic surgeons during consultations, it is crucial you make the most of this meeting. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Make sure you have a full understanding of the results you can expect from a particular procedure. Be honest with him about your expectations and your motivations, so he can determine if you are a good candidate.
Kelli Cooper is a blogger specializing in all things health and wellness.