There are many reasons to consider plastic surgery. It might be necessary after a surgery, accident, or medical problem. You could also have cosmetic surgery to alter a part of your body that has always made you feel uncomfortable.
The decision to have plastic surgery should not be taken lightly. One of the best ways to decide whether plastic surgery is right for you is to weigh the pros and cons. Use this step-by-step comparison to help you make the right choice.
Pro: Improved Confidence
For most people choosing elective surgery, the end goal is improved confidence, and that’s one of the biggest benefits of receiving plastic surgery. Being able to look in the mirror and be proud of what you see can be a huge confidence boost. Not only are you proud of your appearance, but you’ll get more compliments.
Con: Cost
Unfortunately, plastic surgery isn’t cheap. The science and medical requirements that go into changing the appearance and self-confidence of an individual require significant hours, skill, and technique to complete. This adds up to a significant expense. The total ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 depending on the procedure, and if you have multiple procedures, you could be paying tens of thousands of dollars.
Thankfully, there are ways to finance your cosmetic surgeries. Occasionally, your insurance will pay for it, depending on the medical need behind it. You can also employ a little frugality to save up for the procedure. If it’s important, you’ll make it happen.
Pro: Better Quality of Life
There are certain scenarios in which your quality of life can drastically improve with cosmetic reconstruction. This goes for both elective and medically practical procedures.
For example, a patient with overly large breasts may experience back pain from the excessive frontal weight or make it difficult to complete physically demanding tasks. A breast reduction can relieve as much as 20 pounds from a woman’s front, creating significant relief for her daily life.
In the cases of patients with breast cancer who have received a single or double mastectomy, a breast reconstruction can restore a woman’s body image and live a life without judgement or uncomfortable questions.
These are just a few of many ways that plastic surgery could make all the difference in an individual’s life.
Con: Potential Complications
Anytime you undergo a medical procedure, elective or otherwise, there are risks of complications. Your plastic surgeon should go over all of the potential risks with you, which may include hematoma, blood loss, infection, nerve damage, pulmonary embolism, organ damage, scarring, etc. In very rare occasions, complications may lead to death.
There’s also the risk of surgeon error. Surgeons are human and can make mistakes, but you can minimize that risk by screening your doctor carefully before hiring him/her for the procedure.
There are many medical issues that could result in a need for plastic surgery. Breast reconstruction is just one of many. There may also be physical birth defects that need correction such as a cleft palate, ear deformity, or club foot.
Plastic surgery may also be necessary for complications following a disease or illness. Patients may require reconstructive surgery from cancer complications, bone fractures, nerve injuries, complex wounds, burn injuries, or arthritis complications. In these cases, plastic surgery is imperative to a person’s quality of life and, in many cases, survival.
Con: Recovery Time
Every procedure is different, but all require a lengthy recovery period at an average of two weeks. During this time, swelling will decrease, nerve endings will reconnect, bruising will resolve, and the skin will normalize.
This can be a very painful process, and if you experience complications, the recovery can be more painful and time consuming. Most feel that it’s worthwhile given the results that last a lifetime, but it’s something to consider.
Pro: Psychological Boosts
Self-confidence isn’t the only psychological boost following reconstructive surgery. It’s about a new and improved outlook on life. Most people who choose to undergo the procedure find that the psychological outcomes are more than worth it.
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