Sooner or later, most people find themselves contemplating cosmetic surgery. Although only a small proportion decide to go through with it, that proportion is growing, partly because it’s now more affordable than ever before and partly because the stigma that used to be attached to it is fading. More people are coming to understand that cosmetic procedures can go beyond vanity and have really positive effects. So could it be right for you?
Common procedures
The most popular cosmetic surgeries undertaken today are simple procedures that help people feel more comfortable with themselves. Botox injections can plump up ageing skin and remove wrinkles. Eyelid adjustments can keep the eyes looking bright and expressive even if skin has been sagging over time. Nose jobs can transform the appearance of the whole face. Breast enhancement, meanwhile, is something that makes many women feel more confident about their bodies, especially if they’ve had mastectomies following surgery for cancer.
Pros and cons
While some procedures have lasting effects, others, like Botox injections, last for a limited time only, after which you’ll need to have them done again if you want to keep enjoying the benefits. Studies have found that cosmetic surgeries quite often have the potential to make people feel less happy about themselves than they did to begin with, but that effect is reversed in those described as having “reasonable” expectations. In other words, if you don’t expect it to solve all your problems, you’ll probably feel much better for it.
Life-enhancing procedures
Some surgeries like these go well beyond what we usually think of as cosmetic and have a big positive impact on quality of life. People who get premium LASIK Eye Surgery in Houston, for instance, don’t only get to give up their glasses, they have an enhanced visual experience that lasts a lifetime. Women who get breast reductions often find that they are able to live without pain or back problems for the first time in their adult lives, and people who have moles removed are afterwards at lower risk of developing skin cancer.
The right thing for you?
Going through any surgical procedure – even just as an outpatient – can be a strain, so it’s not suitable for everybody. Responsible clinics will always offer you a free consultation first to help you decide whether it’s appropriate. In some cases, if a particular procedure isn’t advisable, the clinic may be able to suggest an alternative, or another way that you can improve your body, such as exercises to build up your cheek muscles as an alternative to a facelift.
Cosmetic surgery can help to counter the effects of aging, help people shed unwanted family resemblances or help them to get rid of scarring. Whatever you want it to do for you, you’ll find that specialists are understanding and will help you work out how to get the right results. It might not change your life, but it could help you to enjoy it more.
