If you are considering a plastic surgery procedure but fear is keeping you from committing, you are not alone. Whether it is the fear of having the surgery itself, the fear of the results, or the fear of pain during recovery, many people suffer from surgery anxiety. The good news is there are things that you can do to help reduce your cosmetic surgery anxiety and allow you to get the procedures you want, as well as the results that will deliver the body contouring and changes you desire.
Top Reasons for Cosmetic Surgery Anxiety
When it comes to plastic surgery anxiety, there is no one underlying factor. People experience fear or apprehension for a number of different reasons. These can include:
- Fear of unwanted results
- Worry about surgical complications
- Anxiety over the use of anesthesia
- Worried about pain during and after the procedure
- Fear of mortality
- How much time will I have to miss from work for recovery?
- Worried about judgment by friends and family
- Worried you will look overdone and fake
- Are the results worth the expense?
- Will the results last long enough to be worth the risk and cost?
While all of these fears are valid, there are things that you can do to help minimize these fears, become an educated patient, and prepare for what you can expect.
Become an Informed Patient
In today’s internet-dominated world, there is no end to the information you can obtain when it comes to plastic surgery procedures, statistics, surgeons and more. If you are considering a plastic surgery procedure, learning everything you can about the procedure, such as breast augmentation, and the surgeons you are considering is available at the touch of a button. You can find everything from health care and medical sites that provide detailed information about the procedure and recovery to blog posts from others that have had the procedure. Educating yourself on what to expect is a great way to ease your mind and feel more comfortable about the procedure.
Study the Success Rates and Talk to Friends
Most surgeons perform hundreds or more of the same set of procedures every year. Before considering a procedure, take a look at the rate of success associated with the procedure. Ask your surgeon to show you before and after photos of patients with similar cases to yours. If you have had friends or family members that have had the procedure, talk with them about their experience. If no one you know has personal experiences with local surgeons, research the local surgeons online and through social media. Look for surgeon reviews and ask questions where you can in order to gain more information.
Discuss Your Concerns with Your Surgeon
Don’t be afraid to discuss your anxiety and apprehension with your surgeon during the initial consultation. Ask questions. If you are concerned about looking “fake” after the procedure, talk with the surgeon about your desire for more natural results. With the advances in plastic surgery, the overdone Barbie look is no longer a concern, and most surgeons focus on creating changes that look subtle and natural. If you are worried about cost, inquire about financing options. If pain and recovery is your biggest fear, the surgeon can provide information about how to best reduce pain after the procedure and how to best plan for your recovery.
Plan for Recovery Ahead of Time
For many, the idea of missing work or spending weeks recovering from a procedure is often enough to trigger anxiety or forget the entire idea. However, with the right planning, plastic surgery recovery can be a very smooth process that not only allows your body to heal but allows you to take a step away from the daily stress you endure. If you are worried about taking time off from work and the lost wages and you don’t have the vacation time available, consider asking to work from home during your recovery if possible.
If you are someone that likes to be busy all the time, being stuck at home for recovery may seem impossible. But it doesn’t have to be. Plan ahead and use your recovery time to catch up on that Netflix series you have fallen behind on or even teach yourself a new hobby while you have the free time. Preparing ahead for your recovery can make it go much smoother and you will be back to your pre-procedure self in no time.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
