“Data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show continued growth in cosmetic procedures over the last year, and a shift in the types of procedures patients have chosen since the start of the new millennium. According to the annual plastic surgery procedural statistics, there were 15.9 million surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2015, a 2 percent increase over 2014” (Science Daily). And these numbers have only continued to rise every year since, making cosmetic surgery and similar procedures one of the most common non-medically necessary surgical treatments done today. More and more people are asking if they are a good candidate for cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery, and other reconstructive and rejuvenating procedures. Here at Kouris M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, we take pride in helping our patients achieve the look they want that helps them feel happier and healthier. But it is important to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedures you are considering. Here are some important questions you need to ask yourself- and you need to be brutally honest with yourself as well:

What is my reasoning or motivation for wanting cosmetic surgery?

The most common reason people give when asked why they are considering undergoing plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery is to improve your self-image. They are unhappy about the way they feel about themselves and want to change something about their appearance. If this is you, it’s very important that you take time to be honest with yourself about why you want to change a particular part of your body. You may be doing it for reconstructive purposes, either because of a congenital defect or something that developed as a result of trauma or injury. Or, you may be doing it to slow the aging process. This is fine but you need to have a realistic goal as far as concerns what the procedure can actually accomplish for you. It is unwise to expect any type of cosmetic surgery or procedure to make your spouse love you more or help you find true love or get a better job. Instead, do it for yourself and make sure you are doing this for the right reason.

Do I have any health problems or chronic issues that may affect results?

You may be a poor candidate for cosmetic surgery if any of these apply to you:

• Heart/Lung Disease- problems with the heart increases your risk for complications
• Cancer- almost always an automatic disqualification due to possible side effects
• Diabetes- uncontrolled blood sugar can delay healing and affect final results
• Hypertension- this health condition put you at risk for complications from surgery
• A bleeding disorder- greatly increase risks during surgery and recovery
• Severe allergies- high risk for complications and problems during/after surgery
• Alcohol/Smoking addiction- lowers healing abilities and weakens the body
• Autoimmune disease- slows healing and can cause severe side effects
• Emotional instability- high risk for depression during the recovery period

Our surgical team will discuss your health in detail to look for other possible concerns.

What is my lifestyle like and does it support the procedure I want to get?

You are a good candidate for plastic surgery if you have a healthy lifestyle, and understand the risks and limitations of cosmetic surgery. You need to be able to deal with changes to your lifestyle leading up the procedure and maintain any changes that are required to make the results of the cosmetic surgery last. Can you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to make liposuction worthwhile? Can you give up sunbathing every weekend to make your facelift last longer? Will you give up drinking and smoking to keep yourself healthy? Do you have the time to devote to any post-surgical care the doctors tell you are needed to maintain the results of the procedures? If you cannot then you may need to be honest with yourself and realize that cosmetic surgery might not be right for you or at the very least you may not be ready for it right now with where you currently are in your life.

Am I well informed about the results, risks, and requirements for the surgery?

Here at Kouris M.D., we take time to ensure every patient who comes to us gets answers to all of their questions We will work closely with you one on one to determine what cosmetic surgery options are best for you and what risks, results, and processes you can expect from each. We will help you plan for pre and post surgery needs and ensure you have all the information you need to make a well informed and safe decision. We are in the business of helping our patients look their best but we understand that plastic surgery is not for everyone. We will never pressure you into something we do not feel is right or safe for you. We will always respect your wishes and help you make an informed decision. Once you understand all there is to know about your intended procedure we will help you start the process with confidence. That is the Kouris M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery promise!

Contact Us Today to Get Started

Our surgical team takes pride in helping our patients achieve the look they want that helps them feel happier and healthier. We want to help you feel good about your body and fall in love with your reflection again. Here at Kouris M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, we offer a range of options to choose from when it comes to cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery. It is important to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedures you are considering, and we are here to help you every step of the way. If you have questions about whether or not you are a good candidate or if you want more information about the cosmetic surgery procedures we offer, contact us today! We will help you get started!