Plastic surgery has become increasingly widespread and continues to gain popularity every year.

Even so, it can be a scary thing for you to undergo, especially if it is your first time having a cosmetic procedure.

Surgery can take a physical toll, but it can also take a toll on your mental health.

By preparing yourself mentally for the surgery and the recovery, you can get through the process with greater ease and comfort.

Before the Surgery

  • Be Informed – The more you know about something, the less scary it becomes! Take the time to do some research about your procedure and your doctor. You might not be able to understand all the technical and medical jargon, but you don’t have to have extreme in-depth knowledge of the surgery; let your doctor take care of that. You can, however, find basic information on the doctor’s website or through plastic surgery organization sites. It’s also helpful to get some background information on your doctor. Read former patient reviews, get recommendations from current patients, or check out your doctor’s resume.
  • Ask Questions – Even after you spend all this time researching, you’re still bound to have some questions about your surgery. Don’t be afraid to ask them. Your doctor’s goal is to help you have the best possible experience with them and that includes making you feel comfortable and well informed about your procedure.
  • Share Your Concerns – Along those same lines, don’t be afraid to share any issues or concerns with your doctor. They need to know a lot about you in order to make the best decision for you and ten minutes before your surgery is not the time to bring anything up. Chances are they have heard the same concerns from other patients and are more than capable of addressing them. If it will help, bring a list of all your questions and concerns to your consultation.
  • Get Your Home Ready – Many people find that cleaning their homes before going on vacation helps them get back into their normal routine once the trip is over. The same concept can apply to your surgery. Preparing your home by stocking it up with supplies and readying your resting area will not only help you during your recovery, it will also give you less to worry about once you get home.

After the Surgery

  • Prepare for the Worst – Even though surgery has advanced significantly over the past several years, you are still likely to feel sore and swollen for the first few days. Some patients find their recovery more difficult than others and may need some additional time to recover. If you can mentally prepare yourself for the pain and discomfort, you might actually find it to be better than you expected.
  • Avoid Being Judgmental – When you look at Before/After pictures of other procedures, you only see the amazing results that occur once the patient is fully recovered. You don’t see all the bruising and swelling that took place in between. When you look at yourself in the mirror during your recovery and see that your body looks worse than before, don’t be overly critical. Bruising and swelling are a part of the recovery and will fade over time.
  • Cut Yourself Some Slack – After all, you’re recovering from surgery! If you don’t feel like yourself and have to take it easy for awhile, that’s perfectly okay. Don’t feel like you have to rush to get back into your normal routine. Recovery from surgery takes time, so be patient and kind to yourself.
  • Stay Positive – Positive thinking does wonders for a patient’s mental health. Find something to celebrate or to be happy about during each day of your recovery. When you feel up to it, keep yourself busy so you won’t be constantly thinking about how you look. Rejoice in your accomplishments by treating yourself to a special outing or a new item. By keeping a positive attitude, you can actually help your recovery process along much better than if you harbor negative feelings about your surgery.

Plastic surgery can do amazing things for your self-confidence and self-image, which is why it is so important to do whatever you can to make the experience the best it can be. A lot of that responsibility falls on your doctor, but you can take steps to ensure that you are mentally ready for the surgery and recovery. In doing so, you can make your surgery one of the best things you’ve ever done.

If you are considering plastic surgery, Dr. Kyle Choe is widely considered one of the best facial plastic surgeons in the Virginia Beach area. You can schedule an initial consultation with him today by calling 757.389.5850 to learn more.