If you feel that you were too hastily put together by Mother Nature that she overlooked some of the finer details, or perhaps an accident did a lot of damage that needs to be put right; or you just feel you need a little help from science to boost your self-confidence, then you might want to consider plastic surgery.

There are basically two types of plastic surgery.  One type is reconstructive surgery which is done to improve the function or appearance of an abnormal body part such as in cases of people with birth defects, or those suffering from damage caused by an accident or ageing.  Often, surgery of this type is covered by health insurance policies.  The other type is cosmetic surgery which involves reconstruction work on a normal body part with the purpose of improving the way it looks.  With this type of plastic
surgery, patients expect an improvement in their self-confidence as a result of the cosmetic change.

There are many different types of plastic surgery and these are:  facial implant, hair replacement, ear, nose and eyelid surgery, face and forehead lift, abdominoplasty, chemical peel, dermabrasion, breast enlargement, breast lift, laser facial resurfacing, liposuction, fat or collagen injections, and male breast reduction.

If you’re convinced that it’s plastic surgery you need, then here are some things you should do:

• Write down the pros and cons of having plastic surgery and make sure it’s really what you want.
• Check whether the surgery you want is covered by your health insurance.
• Find a plastic surgeon who has undergone proper training, is experienced, and is certified by the relevant authority such as the British Society of Plastic Surgeons or BSPS.  Ask for recommendations from people you trust.
• Write down all your questions and concerns and arrange for a consultation.  Discuss everything on your list with your doctor.
• Check out the place where your surgery will be performed (a private clinic, hospital or freestanding surgery center) and find out the conditions/privileges that you’ll have there
• Be aware that during the surgery you may have one of the three types of anesthesia: local, general or a combination of local and a sedation (which means you will still be awake but feel very relaxed).
• Make sure to follow all your doctor’s instructions pre and post-surgery.
• Understand that healing takes time so don’t rush things.  Be ready to spend time readjusting to the changes.
• Before using cosmetics for covering, be sure to first ask permission from your doctor.
• Keep in mind that other types of surgeries, plastic surgery involves some uncertainty and risks so think it over twice, thrice or even more if it’s really for you.

When you are 100% convinced that it is the only solution you want, then by all means, do it!