Avoiding Botched Cosmetic Procedures

Each year, thousands of people decide to undergo some sort of cosmetic procedure. Every one of these patients wants their procedure to be a success, so they can show their new features off to family and friends. In most cases, the surgery and recovery will go smoothly and patients will be more than satisfied with the outcome of their cosmetic procedures. However, in a few cases, the procedure may not go as planned. In some cases, it may be due to a doctor who is not trained and skilled in cosmetic surgery, unrealistic expectations on the part of the patient, or poor pre- or post-operative care.

Shop for a Skilled Surgeon

Nobody would go to a dentist for a pacemaker implant. The same holds true for any cosmetic procedure. While the dentist may offer services such as dermal fillers, it is highly likely they learned how to do them from a 16-hour, two-day weekend course. It should come as no surprise that cosmetic procedures performed by a dentist run a greater risk of not having optimal results.

By contrast, the surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery have completed many years of education and special training in plastic surgery. is the surgeons are also board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and have published numerous journal articles and book chapters.

Avoid Unrealistic Expectations

Patients may have a certain idea of what they want the cosmetic procedure to do for them. They may bring in a photograph of a well-known celebrity as an example to show the doctor of the results they hope to achieve. Unfortunately, the patient’s expectations may not be attainable. For example, a liposuction procedure is designed to remove stubborn pockets of fat from specific areas of the body. A patient who expects a liposuction procedure to remove large amounts of fat from all over the body will be in for disappointment.

This is when the consultation becomes a vital part of the entire cosmetic procedure process. The surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery will take time to talk with the patient about their expectations for the cosmetic procedure, along with the realistic goals that can be achieved. This will ensure that both the patient and the surgeon have the same goals in mind for the procedure.

Take Proper Pre- and Postoperative Care

The surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery will provide patients with a list to help them prepare for the procedure, as well as proper care following it. Stopping smoking and drinking alcohol starting two weeks before the procedure and preferably not resuming afterward will reduce the risk of bleeding both during and after the procedure. Keeping the sutures and dressings as clean and dry as possible will speed healing and reduce the chances of excessive scarring and infection. Taking all antibiotic and pain medicines as prescribed will reduce the risk of infection, as well as keep the patient comfortable, which may reduce stress and strain on the sutures while they are healing.

Although part of the success of any cosmetic procedure is due to the skills and training of the doctor, the patient also plays a large role in helping to ensure the best possible outcome and avoiding botched procedures.

Contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation.