Are You Mentally Ready for Cosmetic Surgery?
Dr. Jon Mendelsohn
Have you ever looked in the mirror and said to yourself, “I wish I could just change my (blank)?” If you’re like most people, there is probably some aspect of your physical appearance that bothers you in some way. If it bothers you enough, you may be considering cosmetic surgery. If so, you are not alone.
Despite the slumping economy, the overall number of cosmetic procedures in this country actually went up 3% from 2007 to 2008, according to statistical data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2008, there were a total of 12.1 million cosmetic procedures performed. These procedures range from minimally invasive options like laser skin resurfacing and Botox injections to more extensive surgeries like breast augmentation and facelifts.
Regardless of the type or extent of the procedure, choosing to have cosmetic surgery of any kind is a big decision. Changing how you look in a lasting way can significantly affect you mentally as well as physically. In most cases, the results of cosmetic surgery have a strong positive affect on a patient’s self-image and confidence. But that is not always true. Before going under the knife, laser or needle, it’s important to make sure you are adequately mentally prepared.
Dr. Robert Smyth
Managing Expectations. Before you can decide if cosmetic surgery is right for you, you have to determine if the change you would like to see in your appearance is even possible. Cosmetic surgery has come a long way in the last two decades, but it is a science not a magic act. Your skin tone, your underlying bone structure and other unique aspects of your physiology can limit the scope of what a surgeon can actually do. According to Dr. Robert Smyth a facial plastic surgeon at The New Age Face Center in Hyde Park, cosmetic surgery is “a balancing act between what the patients want and expect versus what Mother Nature will allow you to do with their face.”
The initial consultation with a surgeon is key to determining what type of result you can realistically expect from cosmetic surgery and discussing any potential complications that may occur. During the consultation, the physician will typically examine you in front of a mirror and show you what can (and cannot) be done to alter your appearance. “Realistic expectations are huge,” says Dr. Jon E. Mendelsohn a specialist in facial plastic surgery at the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Rookwood Towers in Hyde Park. “Can we remove the bump on their nose? Yes or No. Can we make their nose look like someone else’s in a magazine when they have a completely different skin type? Of course, we can’t…We want to work with someone to understand what is possible,” he explains.
The physician will also use the initial consultation to evaluate your level of mental preparedness for surgery. In Dr. Mendelsohn’s office, patients are asked to fill out a questionnaire that covers their expectations for surgery as well as any history of past cosmetic surgeries and additional information. While not all plastic surgeons use such a questionnaire, a good surgeon will use the initial consultation to preoperatively screen for patients who may not be the best surgical and non-surgical candidates for psychological or emotional reasons.
Motivation Is Key. Why you want to have a cosmetic procedure is just as important as what you want to have done. “I tell them [patients] that I will not operate on them unless what they are in for is something that bothers them and not somebody else,” says Dr. Smyth. “I don’t want them to come in and say, ‘well, my husband said this,’ or ‘my boyfriend said this,’ or ‘my fiancé said this.’ Unless that patient is coming in and wanting something done for themselves, then I won’t do the procedure,” he continues.
Patients who have internal motivations to have cosmetic surgery such as a long-standing complaint about a particular aspect of their physical appearance are usually the best candidates for cosmetic procedures. Patients with external motivations such as trying to save a relationship, however, are often less prepared to handle cosmetic surgery and may be less satisfied with the results.
In some cases, internal and external motivations may overlap. “These days we see a lot of people who are coming in because they may have lost their job,” says Dr. Mendelsohn. “Maybe they are in their mid 40s or mid 50s and are competing with younger people in a technology job or any job.” Dr. Mendelsohn points out that due to the large role that image plays in our society, “if individuals are more confident about themselves, they may be more productive.” In this situation, the external motivation of career assistance is combined with the internal motivation to look younger and feel more confident in your appearance.
In Good Hands. Once you have determined that you want cosmetic surgery for the right reasons and that you have realistic expectations of what can be done, ask yourself if you are confident in the surgeon you have chosen. Do your due diligence to verify the credentials and experience of your surgeon so that you know you are in good hands. Your surgeon should be available to answer any and all questions you have and do all that is necessary to put you mentally at ease before the procedure. “In our practice, we spend a lot of time ahead of the procedure discussing whatever needs to be discussed with the patient,” notes Dr. Mendelsohn. “If a patient feels like they are actually developing a relationship with a surgeon and their team, they feel so much more comfortable.”
Whenever possible, it’s also helpful to speak with past patients who can give you a first-hand account of what you can expect from the surgery, the surgeon and the recovery process. “We always provide patients with the opportunity to speak to as many other patients as they want,” says Dr. Mendelsohn. When speaking with prior patients, be sure to discuss any mental effects of the procedure as well as physical effects. Did the surgery boost their self-esteem? Were they happy they did it? How did it feel to look in the mirror for the first time afterwards? If you do choose to have the surgery, knowing just what to expect from beginning to end will make your recovery processes that much easier.
In the end, don’t forget that cosmetic surgery is elective surgery. There’s no reason to rush into making a decision before you are mentally and emotionally prepared. When you are ready, you won’t have any problem finding a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon right here on the Eastside.
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Christa Gatewood is a Cincinnati transplant originally from Baltimore, MD. She attended Northwestern University and enjoys writing, reading and cooking.
