With world mental health day only a few days ago and the fallout of COVID-19 still running rampant, the topic of mental health has never been more front and centre in people’s minds. So, if you’re currently considering cosmetic surgery, it might be a good idea to take a step back and consider whether or not you’re mentally prepared for it.
Is it something you’ve been considering for a while?
Whether it’s your nose, your tummy, your boobs or a little bit of everything, undertaking cosmetic surgery is a life-changing decision and is not one to be taken lightly. It’s a decision that demands consideration and if it’s something you’ve just decided to undertake over the course of the national lockdown to make yourself feel a bit better, then perhaps give it a few more months to really live with the idea. You only get one body, after all.
Are the reasons valid?
Why are you doing this? Is it so you feel better about yourself or is it for somebody else? This is something you should only ever do if it’s for the right reasons – empowerment and comfort. Think back to the root cause of your choice. Were you bullied at school for a specific physical reason or is there a negative person in your life badgering you to get this surgery for their own desires or purposes? If the answer to either of these is yes then you might want to reconsider the reasons for your surgery.
Are you being supported?
What have your friends and family said about your decision? It always helps when considering plastic surgery to have a strong support network behind you. Or maybe your family or friends are against the idea and don’t understand your reasons? In that case, ensure you go with a surgery that has a team of nurses and advisors that can help to put you at ease and support you through what can be a quite difficult period.
Have you done your research?
Have you done your due diligence in researching the procedure and the surgeon? It’s a major life choice so is something you should be as clued-up on as possible before going under the knife. Know your surgeon and your procedure inside-out before stepping foot in the operating theatre.
What are your expectations?
Finally, don’t assume that plastic surgery is going to solve all of your problems right away. It might make you feel better about yourself in the long run but you will still be the same person underneath. It’s not a direct ticket to love, security and body confidence and should never be treated as such. You should also, of course, be aware that there are always risks.