We’ve all seen those “Worst Celebrity Plastic Surgery” slideshows in less-than-reputable tabloids and on listicle-heavy websites – but the truth is, many botched plastic surgery jobs happen because the patient didn’t know any better. Of course, choosing a credible, experienced surgeon like our own Dr. Panchal will take you a long, long way – but for surgery to go smoothly, you have to be upfront and honest with your physician, too.
Below, some mistakes you won’t have to make yourself.
- Working against – not with – your body type. In most cases, cosmetic surgery should enhance and improve – not drastically change – your basic body shape and your facial features. A reputable cosmetic surgeon will let you know how many syringes of Botox are too many, and how much filler is too much. Discuss your expectations and your desired results with your physician so you can get an idea of what will look natural and what won’t.
- Choosing your surgeon based on price alone. Flying blindly by the seat of your on-sale pants is a nearly surefire way to end up with results that will cost you much more in the long run. A quality cosmetic surgery procedure is an investment in your confidence and your appearance, and it’s worth paying a bit more for a physician that you trust and can speak openly with. And your health is on the line – so don’t skimp in this area.
- Getting medical spa procedures done after you get your teeth whitened. We wouldn’t offer to fill a cavity in our office, and your dentist probably shouldn’t offer you Botox. In the same vein, don’t make the mistake of getting injectables or other medical spa procedures from not-so-credible sources – think Botox parties and non-physician professionals. If you feel at all wary about the credentials of the person performing your procedure, run – don’t walk – out that door.
- Not telling your doctor about your social smoking habit. Even if you only smoke once in a blue moon (or, you know, every few weeks when a late evening has turned into an early morning), you must tell your plastic surgeon about your nicotine intake. As we’ve mentioned in a previous post, tobacco products can significantly impair your body’s ability to heal. And in combination with some medical spa procedures, smoking can sometimes even severely damage and destroy your skin. At our practice, we will not perform procedures on patients that have smoked within the previous 6 weeks to 3 months.
- Not telling your doctor about any allergies, medications, or supplements. Trust us – we’ve seen a lot, and your fat burning supplement is one of the less embarrassing things we’ve come across. Let your surgeon know about every medication and supplement you’re currently taken or have taken in the past few months, and always – always – let them know about your allergies. Surgery and different cosmetic procedures can have bad interactions with certain substances, and the only way to prevent them is to let your doctor know what’s in your medicine cabinet.
- Not following post-op guidelines. Doc says not to exercise for 6 weeks after your tummy tuck, but you want to stay in shape? Don’t even think about doing anything strenuous – you’ll risk messy complications and a lot of pain. Your physician will give you instructions on what (and what not) to eat, how to exercise and move, how to sleep, and any special exercises you need to do to make your results optimal. One big thing we can’t stress enough: if your physician says to use sun protection or stay out of the sun, this is not the place to be rebellious. Many procedures leave your skin extra vulnerable to the sun’s rays, and excess exposure can result in pigmentation and scarring. No thanks!
Being open with your surgeon from the get-go will save you a lot of trouble – and with an experienced, credentialed physician guiding you through your procedure, you’ll be set up for the best results possible.