Samuel Lin MD On Whether One Is A Good Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery

More in-demand than ever, cosmetic surgery accounted for 17.5 million procedures throughout the United States in 2017, a 2 percent bump from the previous year. Breast augmentation, liposuction, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery and tummy tucks are the most highly sought-after procedures, with Botox and soft tissue fillers also establishing popularity among available minimally invasive operations.

Pondering the necessity for such procedures and whether or not they qualify as suitable candidates, people frequently come away with more confusing questions than concrete answers. Finding a superb doctor is the top priority, an expert whom you can bounce thoughts off of and receive exceptional information from.
Dr. Samuel Lin MD, an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a plastic surgeon, is happy to share his thoughts.
Is Your Health in Order?
Physical health is the primary consideration when deciding to undergo cosmetic procedures, regardless of what type it is. Samuel Lin MD recommends that you avoid these surgeries if you have health concerns such as elevated blood pressure, diabetes, bleeding disorders, heart disease or depression. A frail or compromised immune system could jeopardize your health during a cosmetic procedure because it might lead to worrisome reactions against certain medications or anesthetics. Overall, rates of infection are higher if one’s immune system is less adaptable.
Smoking tendencies and alcohol consumption are less-than-ideal factors for those who are hoping to arrange a cosmetic surgery. Certain instances emerge in which the doctor will approve of your procedure, but you will have to dedicate yourself to specific lifestyle changes prior to the surgery. You may be asked to quit your smoking habits for two to four weeks, allowing your body to heal sufficiently and minimizing the risks for complication as much as possible. Second-hand smoke is also detrimental to your health, so keep your distance from those toxic clouds.
Are You Emotionally Prepared for Surgery?
Cosmetic procedures entail drastic changes into one’s body, so it is vital that one is, first, emotionally ready for this. Following the procedure, many patients experience mild depression for a few days, while others simply fail to recover from this mindset. To manage these thoughts and mood fluctuations that arise when adjusting to your new appearance, it is crucial to be emotionally stable heading into the operation date. Speak to your plastic surgeon, as they will perform an evaluation, then surmise if you are a fitting candidate for surgery.
As for self-help advice, Samuel Lin MD offers a few pointers: firstly, remember that results might not be immediately achieved and, if that is the case, you will have to exercise patience, possibly even undergo numerous procedures to attain the desired outcome; don’t be secretive about your cosmetic procedure, because these methods are greatly accepted in today’s society and there is absolutely no reason to be ashamed of yourself; ask your doctor plenty of questions, including details of the procedure, preparations and expected after-effects from the surgery, to be aware of the entire process, as it will also reduce anxiety and inhibit depression.
If you are considering cosmetic surgery, Samuel Lin MD urges you to consider the above questions to ensure that cosmetic surgery is right for you.