We all have our own way of seeing ourselves, meaning our own perception of how we look and how others see us. Those who are happy with their own self imagine have a greater probability of being happy with themselves and are in general more productive at work and in social activities. They feel more comfortable and safe in relations with the others. But the opposite happens when they are not satisfied with themselves.
PLASTIC SURGERY STIMULATES AND PROMOTES A STRONG AND POSITIVE SELF IMAGE. Even the smallest exterior alterations can produce big transformations internally. Consequently, knowing that Plastic Surgery provides important and permanent alterations, it is very important that you have a clear idea of how the surgery will be able to make you feel, long before you have the surgery done.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR PLASTIC SURGERY
If you are thinking of having plastic surgery carried out, IT WILL HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. Why exactly do you want to have that particular plastic surgery done? What do you want to achieve and what are your expectations of the results?
In Plastic Surgery two good candidates for a surgery exist. First of all those that have positive self-esteem but that are uncomfortable with a physical aspect and would like to correct it and or improve it. These patients after the surgery feel very satisfied with the results and therefore maintain a positive image . Secondly there are patients who have physical and aesthetic shortcomings, and throughout time their self-esteem has diminished. In general after the operation these patients recover their self-esteem at a steady pace but not as quickly as the first candidate mentioned.
REMEMBER that Plastic Surgery produces physical changes and changes in of self-esteem. But if you performing the surgery with the hope of promoting changes in another person, you will surely be disappointed.
THE INAPPROPRIATE CANDIDATE FOR PLASTIC SURGERY
Not all that have consultations have the ideal profile to have Plastic Surgery carried out, regardless of having all the physical indications necessary to receive Plastic Surgery. There are problematic patients, and being a plastic surgeon we should decline operating on them. When necessary we request a psychological evaluation in order to detect the reason of the operation.
AVOIDING NON-INDICATED SURGERIES, WE WILL AVOID POST-OPERATION FRUSTRATIONS.
Patients in crisis, who are enduring situations of divorce, or the death of a spouse or the loss of employment, often try to reach targets through Plastic Surgery. All these sad situations regrettably are not solved merely with the change of the appearance.
Patients with fantasy expectations, like those that insist on having the nose of their favorite artist, trying to acquire their own style; I NEVER OPERATE PATIENTS WHO BRING ME PHOTOS OF OTHER PEOPLE. The same for patients who have suffered serious accidents that try to regain the face that they had before, or those patients who want to meet again with the youth of previous decades. IMPOSSIBLE. THEY ARE ALL DECEIVED EXPECTATIONS.
There are people who are eternally unsatisfied, they seek compulsively Plastic Surgery, have their own perception of how things are and are always looking for the answers that they want to hear. In general they are try to recover of problems that are not physical, at least primarily.
Patients obsessed with minimal shortcomings, who normally believe that solving these shortcomings surgically will solve all of their problems.
Patients who are perfectionists, who believe wrongly that plastic surgery will produce perfect results.
Patients with mental alterations, paranoiac behavior and depression can be also inappropriate candidates for Plastic Surgery.
IT IS FUNDAMENTAL THAT IN THE INITIAL CONSULTATION, YOU DEFINE HOW YOU FEELS ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE AND HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO FEEL. HONESTY DURING THE CONSULTATION IS FUNDAMENTAL.
IT IS ALSO FUNDAMENTAL TO KNOW WELL YOUR GOALS AND THE LIMITS IN ORDER TO REACH SATISFACTORY RESULTS AND TO AVOID ANY FRUSTRATION.
PLASTIC SURGERY FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
It is logical that parents feel distressed and also confused at the time of their child receiving plastic surgery. This also happens when the children want to correct some physical deformity.
In cases of congenital deformities the importance of operating at the correct time is crucial (for example cleft lip-palate, the operation of the lip should be performed approximately three months after birth and the palate before beginning to speak). Frequent consultations with different members of the multidisciplinary team will help with making the decision.
Plastic Surgery of congenital deformities of the ear,protruding ears, are often more difficult when deciding the correct time of surgery. If the child is not worried about the above mentioned situation, the parents must not force the surgery. But the situation changes if the child is a victim of mockery that could alter his self-esteem. The support of the parents will always be fundamental.
Some surgeries can mean a big advance in the social life of certain adolescents, from the moment that they are emotionally well. IT IS LOGICAL THAT THEIR SELF-ESTEEM IS MODIFIED AS THE ADOLESCENT MATURES, THERFORE NO SURGERY SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON AN ADOLESCENT OR YOUNG MAN AND PARENTS SHOULD NOT FORCE THE SURGERY IF THE PLASTIC SURGEON BELIEVES THAT THERE IS NO INDICATION OR A SUITABLE INDICATION FOR THE SURGERY.
THE CORRECT TIMING OF THE SURGERY
ANY SURGICAL PROCEDURE ALWAYS IMPOSES ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRESS; we all suffer a certain amount of stress through our daily activivities. CONSEQUENTLY, THE PATIENT WILL HAVE TO OPERATE WHEN LEVELS OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRESS ARE LOW.
That is why being honest during the initial consultation is very important. YOUR SINCERITY IS FUNDAMENTAL IN HAVING A QUICK AND HEALTHY RECOVERY TO THE OPERATION.
GETTING USED TO THE CHANGES AFTER OPERATING
It can take some time before you feel emotionally recuperated and get used to the modifications imposed by the surgery. Above all when the alterations in you self-image were very intense.
After a surgery, the majority of the patients feel momentarily, some sensation of depression or sadness. It normally begins on the second or third day after the operation, when physical activity begins again, but their physical appearance may still be somewhat disappointing as they are still swollen. But it is nothing to worry about as it is transitory and lasts only a few days or weeks, depending on the psychological condition of the patient.
THE BEST WEAPON FOR FIGHTING THIS POST OPERATION DEPRESSION IS UNDERSTANDING BEFOREHAND WHAT THE POST-OPERATION PERIOD INVOLVES. DURING THIS PERIOD PATIENTS OFTEN SEEK HELP FROM THEIR LOVED ONES AND DO NOT ACCEPT HELP FROM THOSE WHO CRITICIZE.
DEALING WITH CRITICISM
You should have in mind that these types of comments are not infrequent, “ I preferred what you were like before ” or “ you didn’t need the surgery ”. The above mentioned comments can have diverse motivations, and are often said unconsciously but they do not help during the period of recovery. ALSO DO NOT HOPE TO RECEIVE PRAISES, SINCE GENERALLY PEOPLE ARE MORE BOUNTIFUL IN CRITICIZING THAN IN PRAISING.
I always say to my patients “I WILL ONLY PERFORM PLASTIC SURGERY FOR YOU, AND NOT TO SATISFY ANY OTHER PREFERENCES”.
Always try firstly to have the support of those who love you and of the plastic surgeon because they are the people who always look out for your well-being.
In doing so it will be easier to avoid the difficulties that come up.
CONCENTRATE ON THE TARGETS AND IN THE MOTIVES THAT LED IT TO REALIZING THIS PLASTIC SURGERY THAT YOU NEEDED.
