Realistic motivations and expectations are key to successful results, according to Atlanta plastic surgeon
ATLANTA, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The choice to have plastic surgery is a personal one, and patients who have reasonable goals generally report satisfaction with their results. However, if a prospective patient has unrealistic expectations for plastic surgery, she or he should be asked to reconsider the decision to move forward.
"As board certified plastic surgeons, we maintain the highest standards for ethics and safety in all aspects of our practice," states Dr. Paul Feldman, founder of the metro Atlanta plastic surgery group Advanced Aesthetics, PC. "Sometimes this means telling a patient that cosmetic surgery is not in his or her best interest."
Dr. Feldman and his colleagues at their Fayetteville plastic surgery practice warn that patients who express the following desires are not good candidates for cosmetic surgery:
- I want to get a perfect body or life. While cosmetic surgery helps many patients feel more confident and happier with their appearance, there is no such thing as a perfect body, and no procedure can eliminate hardship in life.
- I want to get a celebrity's look. It is unrealistic to expect a plastic surgeon to recreate another individual's features, even if that person also achieved their look through cosmetic surgery. The best results will fit a patient's unique anatomy.
- I want to make another person happy. While it is helpful for a spouse or significant other to support a patient's decision to have a procedure, cosmetic surgery should only be done for oneself, and not to please anyone else.
- I don't want to diet or exercise. Although removing excess fat or toning slackened muscles are common goals with cosmetic surgery, it is not meant to replace proper diet and regular exercise. In fact, being significantly overweight prior to surgery increases risks and can hamper recovery.
- I want to look great immediately. For many patients, an upcoming event provides the necessary incentive to go through with a procedure they are considering. However, the decision to have cosmetic surgery should not be impulsive, and patients need to plan for adequate recovery time.
The initial consultation is the ideal time for patients to share their reasons for wanting cosmetic surgery with their plastic surgeon. Not only does this provide an opportunity to evaluate if a procedure can produce the desired outcome, but the personal nature of this discussion serves as an excellent barometer of one's comfort level with a surgeon.
"A mutual trust between surgeon and patient is paramount to successful plastic surgery results," says Dr. Feldman. "If a patient is hesitant to talk openly with a physician, this indicates either that they have not yet found the right surgeon, or that it is not the right time for surgery."
He and his surgical partners caution patients to think carefully before scheduling surgery with a doctor who is willing to operate based on any of these unrealistic expectations.
By raising awareness of what cosmetic surgery cannot achieve, the board certified plastic surgeons at Advanced Aesthetics hope to help people make better decisions for themselves.
About Advanced Aesthetics, PC: Advanced Aesthetics is one of the most successful Atlanta-area cosmetic surgery practices, with offices in four south Atlanta locations: Fayetteville, LaGrange, McDonough, and Newnan. Advanced Aesthetics and Truffles MediSpa share the building at One Prestige Park, 874 West Lanier Avenue, Suite 100, Fayetteville, GA 30214. They can be reached by phone at 770-461-4000 or at http://www.plasticsurgerycorner.com.
Media Contact: Dr. Paul Feldman, Advanced Aesthetics, PC, 770-461-4000, http://www.plasticsurgerycorner.com