Factors to Consider
Prior to Surgery
Chicago, Illinois
In 2006, the American Society for Plastic Surgery claimed that 11.5 million Americans underwent some form of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedure.
Cosmetic surgery is on the rise in today's appearance-driven society. When considering plastic surgery, it's important to think the decision through entirely. You must have realistic expectations and understand precisely what you want for your specific body type.
Prior to any surgery, you should ask yourself, "Why am I truly getting plastic surgery?" If you are doing it for anyone other than yourself, you might want to think again.
Before you step foot in Dr. Placik's office, you should write down any questions regarding your chosen procedures. Fully research the type of surgery you desire, so there is no room for surprises when the bandages come off. Make sure Dr. Placik knows everything there is to know about your health, as it will help reduce the risk for any complications.
The most important factor to consider before breast augmentation surgery is what size you want your implant to be. If you want more natural looking breasts, you'll probably only want to increase one or two cup sizes. If you are undergoing breast reduction surgery, you should carefully consider what size will bring you the most comfort and satisfaction. In order to do this, you should discuss with Dr. Placik your:
- Chest shape
- Rib size
- Breast shape
- Breast volume and width
- Breast base dimension
- Skin elasticity
- Sternum depth
- Pregnancy history
- Height, weight, chest, waist and hip proportions
Proportion and fit to your body are usually the primary goal. An implant can be chosen to achieve your desired breast size in a shape that works well with your natural figure.
There is a great amount of social pressure to look youthful in spite of the aging process. Wrinkles, age spots and sagging jowls are dreaded and postponed for as long as possible. If you look in the mirror and see evident signs of again, you may contemplate cosmetic surgery to restore a youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Before jumping into a surgery like this, you should think it through.
A facelift can appear to take years off your life, but it is not a cure-all. It can restore your appearance for the short-term, but it cannot eradicate any underlying issues or anxiety about growing older. There is also a significant cost involved with cosmetic surgery. You should be 110 percent sure that you are able to finance your procedure and that it will not jeopardize your future in any way.
Liposuction is an effective way to remove stubborn fat deposits. But like other surgery, there are risks involved with this procedure. An ideal candidate for liposuction:
- Wants to remove specific areas of fat that are unresponsive to diet and exercise
- Is close to their ideal body weight (within 30%)
- Has good skin tone and elasticity
- Is emotionally stable and has realistic surgical expectations
- Does not have stretch marks or sagging skin
Liposuction is ideal for those with fat in isolated areas, but it cannot replace diet and exercise. It can be a good incentive weight loss, but is not a cure for obesity. If you are not within 30 percent of your ideal body weight, you should first explore other options. Also, sagging skin does not respond well to liposuction because it does not firm up after surgery.
Tummy tuck surgery is a good choice for anyone with a protruding abdomen due to:
- Aging
- Pregnancy
- Significant weight loss
The surgery is not ideal for:
- Anyone wishing to lose a significant amount of weight
- Women who may become pregnant in the future
- Individuals with unrealistic expectations
- Individuals with scarring from previous abdominal surgery
If you are a smoker, you must quit two weeks before the surgery and refrain from smoking for at least two weeks following surgery. Smoking delays healing and can cause bad scarring and even require additional surgery. If cannot quit smoking for a month, you may want to explore other options.
Before you go ahead with tummy tuck surgery, you should also keep in mind that this procedure leaves a scar. The scar may extend from your hip bone to hip bone, depending on the extent of your surgery. While this scar can be hidden by a bathing suit, changes are slim that it will fully disappear with time.
Dr. Otto Placik performs a wide range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures in his Chicago, Illinois office, so if you are thinking about enhancing your appearance and permanently improving your self-confidence, please contact our office today.