Is Cosmetic Surgery For You?
The main reason behind the boom in cosmetic surgery is that appearance is important in today's world - not just for what others think of us, but for our self-esteem. Most bodies are not perfectly proportioned, and most faces are not perfectly symmetrical, but study after study shows that people are most attracted to faces and bodies that are the most symmetrical and proportional. Cosmetic surgery can provide what Mother Nature has not.
Cosmetic surgery may not be the answer for you if you are terribly unhappy about your body or looks. You may be suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is a psychological illness. If a surgeon thinks you have a distorted view of your body, he may require you to seek counseling before he will consider you as a candidate for cosmetic surgery.
Other, more pragmatic psychological issues also need to be taken into account before you will be accepted for cosmetic surgery. Your surgeon will want to see that you don't have unrealistic expectations of your potential results. You will also need to demonstrate that you can deal with any subsequent scarring or bruising. Someone who is extremely self-conscious needs to show that they have a plan in place for coping with day-to-day life while they are bandaged or swollen.
If you can't cope with up to several weeks or more of pain, soreness, swelling and bruising, you need to be honest. And if you cannot financially afford the "down time" to allow yourself to heal, you may not be a good candidate for cosmetic surgery.
