Second Thoughts About Plastic Surgery? Learn How To Make The Right Decision

By Author: Daniel Ruiz
Total Articles: 4
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If you are getting ready to have cosmetic surgery and find yourself having second thoughts, it's important to get them addressed. The first place you should turn is to your doctor's office.

Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Fred Hackney explains that being able to talk things over and get impartial advice about cosmetic surgery is exactly what you should expect from a board-certified plastic surgeon.

"Doctors have a duty to work for your health and your best interest," says Dr. Hackney.

During your initial consultation with a cosmetic surgeon, you may be deciding if he or she is the right surgeon for you. But you may not realize that the surgeon and their staff are also trying to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.

As part of that determination, the surgeon will consider any health problems that might preclude you from having surgery, whether or not you have a support system at home to help during recovery, and whether you have realistic expectations for how you want to look.

"A key part of the process is to understand your reasons for having surgery," says Dr. Hackney.

For example, ...
... some people want cosmetic surgery believing it will fix a troubled relationship. That's a red flag.

"An important motivation for cosmetic surgery is to feel better about yourself," says Dr. Hackney. "A woman getting breast implants to please her boy friend has the wrong motivation, and we'll discourage her from surgery."

To help with the screening process, many practices use a patient care coordinator. Valerie Jacobs, Dr. Hackney's patient care coordinator, says she listens closely to what prospective patients are saying and watches their body language for hidden signs.

"Sometimes people have concerns that they don't know how to put into words, Jacobs says, You have to encourage them to open up. Sometimes it takes a hug.

Jacobs says it's normal for patients to have second thoughts as their date of surgery approaches. She tries to get to the source of those worries and learn if they are simply butterflies or cause for real concern.

"For example, a woman scheduled for breast implant surgery may say she is nervous about the anesthesia," says Jacobs. "So you talk through that and she's still not settled. You find out what's really bothering her is how to tell her mother that she's getting implants."

In this sort of situation, the patient coordinator can talk you through it and help figure out how to announce your decision to friends and family.

The trickiest situation, however, is when domestic partners are opposed or conflicted about the patient's choice. Here, Jacobs brings them into the office and works toward a consensus. After all this, if a domestic partner remains opposed to the surgery, her office recommends against it.

"Even when the patient has made their mind up, if their partner is still totally opposed, then surgery will only hurt the relationship, says Jacobs. We don't want to cause that."

But Jacobs is encouraged by her years of experience showing that patient regrets over cosmetic surgery are uncommon, she says.

The key is to talk to your surgeon and their staff, Jacobs says, Be open and honest. We're here to help you.

It's all part of getting to the right decision for the patient.

Visit the Hackney Plastic Surgery Center for more information about Dallas plastic surgery.