The decision to have cosmetic surgery can be difficult. If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery, you may be asking yourself some hard questions

– Am I being vain?
– Do I have the money? Is this how I really want to spend my money?
– Does plastic surgery going to fit in with my life priorities?
– How will cosmetic surgery affect my life?
– How will I feel if it goes wrong or the results are not what I expected?

It is entirely normal to be asking yourself questions such as these. It is important to answer the questions truthfully and to think about your answers carefully – you need to be comfortable with whatever decision you make.

Below is a series of questions which will help you to think through your decision. It might help you to write the answers out. Remember to be honest with yourself and remember that there is no right or wrong answer. Once you have worked through the questions, you will be able to talk about them with your plastic surgeon or a friend.

– What do I not like about the way I look?
– Why do I not like this feature?
– Does my physical appearance hinder me by stopping me from doing certain activities?
– Do I ever try to hide this feature?
– Why have I decided to have surgery now? Why not in the past, or in the future?
– What am I expecting from the surgery?
– What sort of impact will having surgery have on my life?
– What happens if the results from the surgery are not what I wanted?
– How will my friends and family react to my decision to have surgery? Will they see me in a different light?

The Consultation

Talking your decision through with your cosmetic surgeon is a key part of your decision to have cosmetic surgery or not. It is important to be honest with your surgeon so that the surgeon understands what you are after to ensure you get the best results, and so that you can get the reassurance that the procedure is the correct one for you. Be as prepared for the consultation as you can be. Check the credentials of the surgeon and the surgery first to ensure they are reputable. Take in a list of any questions you may have about the procedure or the surgeon to ensure you get all the information you need.

The consultation may take time. As well as your questions, your surgeon will also need to take your medical history, take photographs of the areas you would like changed and will talk in depth about what you required. Many surgeons will be able to scan in your picture and simulate what sort of effect the surgery will have on you.

After the consultation, you should know how much the surgery will costs as well information on the procedure such as the associated risks. When you have had your consultation, ask yourself the following questions

– Were all my questions answered?
– Am I happy with the financial cost of the operation?
– Do I have confidence in the surgeon?
– Am I ready to go ahead with the surgery?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, take some more time to think about the surgery or visit other cosmetic surgeons before making a decision.