Cosmetic surgery is about more than your appearance. It’s also about building confidence in your own self-image. And in some cases, it’s about finally aligning the outside (your body) with the way you perceive yourself on the inside. A successful plastic surgery can transform your life, but success depends on more than just the surgeon you choose and the particular procedure they perform.
It also depends on timing.
As exciting as cosmetic surgery can be, it does come with some intricacies. You’ll need time to recover, which generally means taking time off from work. Cost is a factor. Plus, you’ll want to be in the right headspace to emotionally process and fully appreciate the changes made to your body.
So, how do you know that the time is right? How do you know you’re ready for cosmetic surgery? Here are the most important factors we suggest you consider as part of your cosmetic surgery readiness checklist.
1. Clear, Realistic Expectations
Is cosmetic surgery still something that casually pops into your mind now and then, or do you have specific, realistic goals you’d like to achieve with surgery? For example, do you vaguely wish you had larger breasts, or have you specifically imagined how much better you’d look in a dress if you went up two cup sizes?
We find that prospective patients are best prepared for cosmetic surgery when their goals have become clear. You might have some example photos saved that show the look you’re chasing, or maybe you’ve used photography tools to see what you’d look like after certain procedures. If you’re not sure exactly what shape would be best or how much you want “taken off,” we can help you make those decisions in a consultation. Looking at before-and-afters is a good start. But if you don’t have any specific goals in mind yet, that’s a sign that you’re not quite ready – and that’s okay!
2. Family Support
Unfortunately, there is still some stigma around cosmetic surgery. Some people think that it’s vain, or they might roll their eyes when you tell them you’d like to pursue it. You shouldn’t let a few naysayers stop you. However, it is important that you have at least a few supportive family members or close friends you can rely on.
In the first few days after a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or facelift, you’ll need help monitoring incisions, driving to appointments, dosing medications, and so forth. It is easier to navigate the recovery process along with someone who supports your journey.
So, if you haven’t already, talk to your closest family members and friends about your surgical plans. Some people might not get it, but you might also be surprised by who offers their support. Be prepared with a list of ways you can ask people to help. Perhaps one person can pick you up from surgery, another can stay with you for a few days, and another can be at the ready to offer emotional support when you need someone to listen. When you feel that you have a supportive team lined up, you’re one step closer to being ready for surgery.
3. Work Readiness
Often, the most logistically challenging part of deciding when to get cosmetic surgery is taking time off from work. Everyone’s employment situation is different, so it’s difficult to give specific advice here. However, there are a few general tips that we can share:
- Take more time off, not less. This way, you won’t be scrambling to request more time if recovery is a little slower than expected.
- Consider work-from-home options. Often, after a week or two, you’ll be comfortable enough to do some office work at home, even if you’re not ready to drive to work each day.
- Plan ahead. If your industry has a slow season, that is often the best time to schedule surgery.
Recovery times can vary widely based not only on the procedure, but also on your personal health and goals. If requesting time off from work is a barrier for you, talk to your surgeon about this during your consultation. They can give you a more specific idea of how much time you’ll really need to recover, whether it’s okay to return to lighter duties before you’re fully recovered, and whether there are less-invasive alternatives that come with a shorter recovery time.
4. Mental Health
Undergoing cosmetic surgery can often improve mental health in the long term. It’s so reassuring to look in the mirror and feel proud of the reflection looking back! However, the surgical process can also bring up some challenging emotions. Some patients take a while to adapt to the way their new bodies feel or look. Others struggle with self-doubt related to the social stigma that unfortunately still exists around plastic surgery. As such, it’s important to make sure you’re in a good place mentally before scheduling plastic surgery.
If you’re someone who struggles with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, this might mean planning for a few extra therapy sessions, so you know you’ll have support post-surgery. It may also mean scheduling a medication review with your prescribing physician or lining up some extra, healthy coping mechanisms for harder days. You might need them, or you might not, but it’s best to be prepared ahead of time.
5. Emotional Support Systems
Regardless of your mental health history, it’s wise to have an emotional support system in place before scheduling your cosmetic surgery. This could be a partner who is willing to listen when days are hard. It might be a friend who has had the same procedure before and can relate. It might even be a therapist – someone who is professionally qualified to offer guidance and empathy around the complex emotions that can come up around cosmetic surgery.
Begin talking with your emotional support people before the procedure. As much as possible, open up about your reasons for surgery, your goals, and your worries. This way, you’ll start building that open connection and understanding that will make it easier to turn to them during recovery.
6. Personal Motivation
Now, this one is a little vague, but that doesn’t make it less important. Would you say you’re feeling motivated to pursue cosmetic surgery? If the idea makes you feel strong and empowered, then that’s a sign that you’re intrinsically ready for surgery. On the other hand, if the suggestion of cosmetic surgery makes you shrug your shoulders, this is a sign you’re not quite ready.
Cosmetic surgery does require some “work” on your part. There are multiple appointments to attend. Recovery requires some grit, not to mention bandage changes and self-care. If you’re feeling motivated, you’ll have no trouble meeting these demands.
So, what if you like the idea of cosmetic surgery, but don’t feel overly motivated yet? In that case, schedule a consultation. Some patients find that after working through a plastic surgery decision guide with a surgeon, they suddenly feel powered up and ready to go. You may need to take that first step to build motivation – and a consultation is a very approachable first step to take.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Am I ready for plastic surgery?” then hopefully this guide has given you some answers. The decision to pursue cosmetic surgery is a big one, and we want to make sure you’re fully prepared for what you can expect along the way. For more Ormond Beach plastic surgeon advice, contact the Florida Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. DeMercurio has helped countless patients achieve their goals through body contouring, breast augmentation, and a variety of other procedures. We’d love to help you, too.