Cosmetic surgery can bring up hundreds of questions for those considering it – and that's a good thing. But for every question you have, you should also have an answer on hand to help you assuage your fears.  It's only with knowledge that you can make the best decisions for your body.

Will my surgery hurt?

This is the most common question that plastic surgeons are asked when a patient comes into their office.  And it's a good one.  But the answer varies from person to person.

Some people have naturally high tolerances to pain, so the pain after surgery may not seem all that bad to them.  But for others, it might be a bit tougher.

To help minimize your pain, ask your surgeon about the size of incisions they will be making into your body.  Typically, the smaller the incision, the less pain you'll have.  In addition, ask your surgeon about the pain management system they will use once you're out of surgery.  You will typically get pain killers orally and then be given a prescription to fill when you get home.  Make sure to take these pills as directed to prevent pain – it's easier to prevent pain than to handle it once it's already overwhelming.

When will the bruising and swelling go down?

For most people, the biggest issue they have after surgery is postoperative swelling and bruising.  Your body has gone through a traumatic experience, so this is normal.  To correct this problem, you want to make sure you are wearing any supportive garments you may have been instructed to wear, as well as use ice and anti-inflammatory medications to help with the swelling.  Everyone heals from bruises at different rates, so you may just need to be patient in that part of your recovery.

What if I'm allergic to latex?

Those who are allergic to latex don't have to worry about having a reaction.  Most cosmetic surgery centers will have a latex free operating room where you will be comfortable and safe from reactions.

How many procedures can I have at once?

The answer to this question is a bit tricky because it depends on the procedures you want to have and how complicated they will be.  In many cases, surgeries are recommended at the same time as this limits the exposure to anesthesia as well as the possibility of infection.  It's always better, after all, to have only one incision instead of several.

Talk with your doctor about the procedures you wish to have done and they can arrange a schedule that is healthy for your body and for the results you want to see at the end.

How long will my results last?

The results of your surgery can last for years in some cases, for months in other cases.  Again, it all depends on the type of surgery you have as well as the extent of the surgery you've had.  Inject-ables, for example, only last a few months as your body reabsorbs the fillers and disperses them throughout the body.  Breast implants will last for years, but will eventually need to be replaced or reinserted as the body changes.

Other results will depend on your ability to maintain a healthy weight as the elasticity of the skin can certainly cause troubles for reshaping procedures.  If you stretch the skin too much, the results can look unnatural.

How long until I can exercise?

For most people, the thought of exercise isn't on their minds right away, especially after surgery. But when you've had a fairly minor procedure and you feel good enough to walk around, you might want to know if you can workout as you heal; only making yourself look better.  The generally rule of thumb is that you shouldn't exercise if you've had surgery on your nose or below your chin until you've had your first follow up appointment.  At this appointment, the doctor will be able to look over the results and tell you whether or not things are healing properly.

In many cases, it will be about four to six weeks, sometimes only two, before you can handle the rigors of exercise again.  Of course, if you can stay active, that's great – there's no need to sit around if you feel fine.  Just stay away from high impact exercises until your doctor gives their approval.

Will I look natural?

If you've chosen a high quality surgeon, chances are good that your surgery's results will look natural, though an improved natural version of yourself will emerge.  Much of whether you look natural will also depend on what you tell the surgeon in your consultations and visits.  If a woman asks for extremely large breast implants, for example, they aren't going to look natural if their body isn't in proportion to them.  You need to be reasonable about the structure of your body as well as reasonable about what will look good for you and your age.  Trying to erase every wrinkle, for example, is going to look a little out of place.  In addition, injections like Botox can be overdone to the point where you don't have any facial expressions at all.

What if I don’t like my results?

If you're genuinely upset with your results, talk with your surgeon.  They might be able to help you with additional procedures that might get your body to the right shape or structure you want.  In most cases, however, not liking your results might be a matter of too high of expectations.  You're not going to look perfect right from the start, or possibly ever.  But after everything has healed, you will begin to see improvements in your body – and that should leave you satisfied, at least.

If there are severe problems with your surgery results – loose skin, dimpling, infection, etc. – talk to your surgeon immediately to see if there's anything that can be done.

Facial Surgery 
Eye or face lift, skin cosmetic surgery, rhinoplasty, chin or cheek implants

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