You've finally committed to undergoing the cosmetic surgery you've been wanting. You are both nervous about what the surgery will entail and excited to see the final results. You have high expectations for what those results will be, and Dr. Paul Pin will do his best to help you make those expectations a reality. However, it is also important for you to understand the realities of what to expect from your cosmetic surgery so that your expectations are not unrealistic, leading to disappointment when you discover that they cannot be met. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind so that you know what to expect before, during, and after your cosmetic procedure.
Do Your Homework First
It can be easy to not take cosmetic surgery as seriously as medically necessary surgery because it is an elective procedure done for aesthetic reasons. The truth is that cosmetic surgery is still every bit as serious as any surgery performed out of medical necessity. Because of this, Dr. Pin urges his patients to do their homework before making a final decision about whether or not to undergo cosmetic surgery.
There are a number of online forums in which you can ask questions of both cosmetic surgeons and patients who have already undergone the procedure you are considering. Getting input from medical professionals and other patients is invaluable in terms of understanding what to expect from all sides. However, be aware that the photos you see online will not necessarily be representative of what your results will be.
Ask Questions
Your initial consultation visit with Dr. Pin is your best opportunity to ask questions so that you fully understand how he will realistically help you meet your goals from cosmetic surgery. Keep in mind that the best results are those that work with your natural features to enhance what you already have, so that everything still looks as natural as possible.
As just one example, if you have a slight build with a narrow chest, automatically going with the largest size of breast implants available is not a realistic goal, as the final result will look overly crowded, giving you a "uniboob" effect. Instead, you will need to consider what size and implant profile (the ratio of the implant height to its width) are best suited for your particular build.
Follow Post-op Instructions
You will be provided with a set of post-op instructions for how to care for your incisions as they heal following surgery. Following these carefully will greatly increase your chances for optimal results.
- Take antibiotic and pain medications as instructed.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with antibiotic soap before changing any dressings, and do not touch any incisions before they have completely healed over.
- You will be given a compression garment to wear to reduce the amount and duration of bruising and swelling. Wear it as directed, and also use cold compresses once the incisions have healed over to further reduce bruising and swelling.
- You should stop all tobacco and alcohol use starting two weeks prior to surgery, as these can increase your healing time, with poor wound healing and excess scarring. Although your surgery is an optimal time to simply quit altogether, you should stop use until at least four weeks after surgery.
It can be easy to get carried away with excitement about the final results from your surgery. However, you should temper your excitement with the understanding that getting those results means effort on your part toward meeting those expectations. Dr. Pin and his staff can help you meet those expectations.