As techniques become ever more state-of-the-art, cosmetic or “plastic” surgery these days is less invasive and more affordable than ever before. It’s not just for the rich and famous, but can provide rejuvenation, confidence and self-esteem for a variety of men and women young and old.
There are many popular minimally-invasive procedures that can make a difference to your self-confidence these days, from assorted facial procedures, to laser liposuction and more. Best of all, technology has advanced so significantly that most of these procedures can now be performed under light anesthesia, and resulting in little pain or discomfort, and with only mild bruising.
While exploring potential cosmetic surgery options, it’s important to be informed, so make sure to do a little research and to ask the right questions to assure yourself that you’re choosing the best provider (and procedure) for you:
1. Are they licensed and accredited?
Any facility you consider should be licensed, accredited or certified by the Center for Medical Services (Medicare).
2. What are their areas of expertise, training and experience?
What procedures do they perform most frequently? What is the expertise of the surgeon you’re considering, and their individual training and experience? All of this information should be easily accessible.
3. Can they provide “before and after” pictures of successful examples of the procedure you seek?
The provider you’re considering should be able to offer a host of pre-operative and post-operative images to demonstrate their success level with your potential procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask for references from other patients who had the procedure you seek (or similar procedures), too.
4. What are their post-operative care procedures?
Always ask about any potential provider’s post-operative care procedures, and make sure that they’ll have a physician available on a constant basis for emergencies (twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week) for the first 72 hours after your procedure. This is a vital and necessary safeguard to ensure that patients have access to all of the support they need following their procedures, and ensures that if any rare emergency arises, care will be available as fast as possible.
5. Are they giving you the knowledge and information you need?
Ultimately, any procedure you consider is one that absolutely must be right for you, so be sure to consider your options, define the results you want, ask questions, and choose the provider that inspires confidence and ease.
Be cautious of surgeons or professionals who make big promises when it comes to results — remember that the best cosmetic surgery is often about improvement, not transformation. Also, never let a potential provider pressure you into a procedure you’re uncertain about or unready for.
Cosmetic surgery can be a terrific boost to self-esteem and make a welcome difference in your confidence. By educating yourself beforehand, you can assure yourself that you’re choosing just the right procedure and professional to help bring out a more beautiful and confident inner you.
As the founder of the Bel-Red Center for Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Zemplenyi has provided excellence in cosmetic surgical care since 1989. He is triple board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Contact Zemplenyi at 425-358-4164.
