At some point during your plastic surgery consultation, you will be asked to explain your motivation and reason(s) for pursuing cosmetic treatment. This is not just a polite way to make conversation. Your plastic surgeon takes your answer very seriously and uses it to screen you for surgery.
This, of course, begs the question: Are there right or wrong reasons to have plastic surgery? Our Los Angeles surgeon, Dr. George Sanders, believes so. Here, Dr. Sanders lays out some of the acceptable and unacceptable reasons to pursue plastic surgery.
Acceptable Reasons
- To correct a flaw that has always bothered you – Correcting a flaw is a perfectly acceptable and common reason to pursue plastic surgery. This flaw could be small breasts, oversized breasts, a large/crooked nose or abdominal skin that sags after pregnancy.
- To restore a more youthful appearance – Another common and reasonable reason to pursue plastic surgery is to minimize signs of aging and restore a more youthful appearance. The goal is to look like a younger and more attractive version of yourself (not someone else).
- To feel good about yourself – Have you have done your research and believe that changing an aspect of your appearance will make you feel better about yourself? This is realistic and healthy reasoning.
Unacceptable Reasons
- To impress someone else – Plastic surgery is a personal choice that should be made by you alone. If your significant other, friend or family member is pressuring you to get plastic surgery, you should put on the brakes. While it is reasonable to ask someone’s feelings about your plastic surgery, what you want is truly most important.
- To make someone else jealous – The desire for “revenge plastic surgery” —someone changing their looks to get back at an ex-lover or a rival — is more common than you might think! However, just as it is unacceptable to pursue plastic surgery to impress someone else, it is not a good idea to have plastic surgery to make someone else jealous. You don’t have any control over how someone else feels; you can only try to be the best version of yourself.
- To save a relationship – This is something that can occur with women that are in failing marriages or relationships. They believe that if they look more attractive, they can salvage the relationship. This is certainly not the case, as there are more serious issues going on in the partnership.
- To heal emotional turmoil – Plastic surgery is not a good way to address an underlying emotional issue. In fact, plastic surgeons screen prospective candidates to ensure they are in a good state of mind before recommending surgery. If you are in the midst of an emotional crisis, you should focus on healing and achieving a healthy mental outlook before proceeding with surgery.
If you are uncertain whether you are pursuing plastic surgery for the right reasons, it is best to schedule an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. George Sanders. He can evaluate you for your requested procedure, discuss your intentions and explain the realistic outcomes of the treatment.
Call (818) 981-3333 or email our office today to make your appointment.
