How to know if it is the right time for plastic surgery

Having a cosmetic consultation for plastic surgery can be a very exciting and stressful process.  Here are some key factors that should help in the decision process regarding timing and the choice of whether surgery is right for you. Use the following tools to make sure you will be able to fit plastic surgery and its recovery into your schedule.  

First and foremost, make sure you are consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon, one who is certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, at the very minimum, There are additional boards which one may be affiliated, which is just bonus material (keep in mind there are many "boards" out there, many are created by business owners as a guise to coerce buyers to their practice).  

-Create a list of questions to bring to your visit, ones that are important to you, that you want answered, here are a few good ones (if you forget your list, you will forget your questions) down time, recovery time, weight restrictions, time before you can bathe (usually 48 hours unless there are drains involved), time before you can exercise, scarring position, post complication rate and plan (a competent surgeon will have insurance coverage available practice wide), complication statistics (a competent surgeon will be happy to discuss this), in our practice, every question is relevant, it is your body, so any question that you have that will help you make a more informed decision for yourself is worth asking and our having an answer.

-If you are serious about surgery, have several dates in mind for your initial visit, ones that you have availability and make sure to let the surgeon and surgical coordinator know of any major events that are coming up, I typically shy away from major surgery for our patients within 2 months of the event (I/we are conservative with regard to this as many people are still quite sensitive at the six week mark on the actual incision line).

-Understand the costs involved: Operating Room and Anesthesia are separate from the surgeons fee and insurance coverage, (breast aug's are additional for implants and possibly the sizer as well).  We find that when someone comes to our office, and they are quoted by another practice, they sometimes aren't quoted the price for everything as outlined above.  My advice would be to bring that quote with you.

-Make sure to ask about recovery and downtime, these are strcitly two different things in my book, recovery is when I am able to be up and taking care of myself and downtime is that which I prefer not to be in public and would shy away from work.  If you ask these questions, you will be able to gauge whether surgery may fit into your lifestyle.  The unfortunate reality, is that sometimes, it just cannot, but instead of being in a precarious position with your employer or a very important date or life event, make sure to avoid these stresses by asking for the relevant information.  A good surgical coordinator will take it upon herself to solve these riddles for you, any advice from a reputable source is worth putting in your arsenal.  

Please make sure to check the reputation of the surgeon and practice you consult with and I implore you to check their certifications, because any one with a medical degree can refer to themselves as a cosmetic surgeon, and that to me is an unfortunate reality of the times. It is always important to do your research first rather then ending up in the wrong place, wrong hands and ultimately and sadly, botched.