Choosing to go under the knife requires potential patients to do their due diligence in understanding what they want and where they can get it.
This can seem overwhelming to those taking the first steps on their cosmetic surgery journey which is why we have compiled a step-by-step guide to reaching your aesthetic goals.
Explore your options
Table of Contents
You will first need to know what surgeries are available to treat your cosmetic concerns. This initial step may take the longest if you don’t know what you’re looking for, or what options are available to you.
Thankfully, there is a plethora of information available and accessible on the internet to help patients better understand their options.
Set realistic expectations
Once you have a better idea of the type of treatment you are looking for, it’s important to set realistic expectations.
For example, a tummy tuck is great for removing excess, lax skin from the belly, but it won’t be beneficial for patients seeking to remove a significant amount of fat deposits.
Services such as 3D consultations, where a clinician creates digital composites using your own photos, can also help you get a better understanding of how your body will look after a particular treatment.
Read the reviews
Reading reviews can give you great insight into a fellow patient’s experience of a given procedure. This can help to inform your expectations for the recovery timeline and final results, as well as the potential benefits and limitations.
Make sure to double check the authenticity of reviews to avoid clinics claiming to be five stars (without any evidence). You can do this by broadening your research into a clinic’s reviews, and not relying solely on those they advertise on their site which can be rose-tinted.
Some websites provide verified reviews with before and after photos, which can help you to further understand what a treatment can achieve.
Qualifications are key
It can’t be stressed enough the importance of verifying a clinicians qualifications in ensuring your safety and avoiding botched results.
You should first research the training requirements needed by a doctor to carry out your procedure, as well as the clinical bodies they will need to be registered with. Working with a board-certified surgeon means they have been trained and assessed to the required, rigorous standards of these professional bodies.
Don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon about their qualifications, as well as documentation to prove their authenticity. After consultation, you should seek to independently verify their
Know what to ask
In addition to asking about a doctor’s qualifications, you should also be prepared to ask other questions that will enable you to be as informed as possible about your surgery. Questions you may wish to ask include:
- What does the procedure actually involve? What are the surgical techniques used?
- How much downtime should I reasonably expect?
- When will I see my final results?
- What are the risks?
- Do you (the surgeon) have a lot of experience carrying out this procedure?
All of the above queries can help to determine how suitable the surgery is for you and your body, and can allow you to set reasonable expectations.
It is also important that you feel comfortable voicing any concerns you may have at this stage, as a good doctor will be able to give you open and honest advice and information.
Set a date
After your consultation and verification of your surgeon’s qualifications, you will need to take some time to consider whether you wish to proceed with the surgery. You may find that chatting to your friends and family can help you to reach a decision, or you may wish to consult forums on the internet dedicated to the topic of cosmetic surgery.
Once you have made your decision, you can get booked in and take any necessary preparations for your procedure, such as booking enough time off work.
Overall, your path to your dream body will require a good amount of forethought and research, though this will help you to feel more comfortable and confident in your decision to go ahead with your surgery.
We hope that by following our guide, you are able to get one step closer to your cosmetic goals!
