Whether for health , aesthetics or well-being, several people choose to do procedures to change something in the body that they are not satisfied with. Despite this desire, many are still afraid of plastic surgery and sometimes even give up doing it as a result.
It is true that some surgeries are more invasive and complicated and, therefore, require more care. However, when trained and quality professionals perform these procedures, the risks are greatly reduced. In this post, we list some tips to help you lose your fear of plastic surgery. Want to know what they are? Read on!
1. Find an expert
Whatever the procedure, from the most invasive to the least, you should look for a plastic surgeon. He is the appropriate professional to do any plastic surgery and will know how to guide you throughout the process, from the first consultation to the post-operative period.
In addition to having knowledge and experience about the method used, it is important to seek a professional who is available to talk and listen to your wishes. A good place to research the surgeon and choose your professional is on the website of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery . Stories about unskilled professionals doing risky and poor quality plastics on patients are not uncommon, so it pays to be very careful.
In addition, it is worth talking to the doctor’s other patients as a reference.
2. Talk to others who have had the same surgery
Nothing better than talking to those who have been through this same situation before, right? They will be able to tell how they felt after the procedure and give tips on the post-surgical period, in addition to telling about the chosen professional.
If you don’t know anyone who has already had the surgery, you can join communities on Facebook or on internet forums that talk about the subject. In these media, several people share their experiences, ask questions and discuss various issues related to the topic. But it is worth remembering that each experience is very individual, and that yours will never be the same as someone else’s.
3. Clear all your doubts
In addition to the forums mentioned, it is important to discuss your doubts with your doctor and, if I am afraid of surgery, expose your anguish and fears. He is the most reliable person to answer your questions and make you feel more relaxed about the surgery you are going to undergo.
Sometimes, we may find that our question is very silly. However, the answer can be definitive so that you are more confident and less stressed about it. Therefore, do not be ashamed to question and clarify about all stages of the procedure.
At this point, it is also worth asking about what are the real risks of surgery, which can be avoided and how. That way, you will really know what you are dealing with instead of creating fantasies in your head.
4. Research on the subject
Today, with the internet, we have easy access to all kinds of subjects. Therefore, you can, and should, look for the procedure you want to do. However, be careful with the sites you are going to use to do this research.
Look for platforms of professionals in the field or websites of serious and trustworthy institutions, which will bring true and scientifically based information. Otherwise, you may encounter false news that will not help to lessen your fear of plastic surgery.
5. Analyze whether surgery is really important to you
Think about whether this plastic surgery is really something you need. Will you regain your self-esteem or are there other issues that hinder this aspect? Are you ready to look different?
Sometimes, we do not ask ourselves about these topics and we are negatively surprised after the operation. So it is important that you reflect on how this intervention will impact your life. After all, even simple procedures are invasive, and therefore must always be well thought out.
6. Meet the whole team
Something that can help a lot to reduce the fear of surgery is to know the entire team that will do the procedure. Often, the patient knows only the plastic surgeon, and at the time of surgery he is faced with several unknown faces, which can often contribute to fear and anxiety.
Thus, it is worth trying to know all the professionals who will participate in the procedure: surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing staff. You can ask about each other’s experience and ask other questions that have not been resolved by the surgeon.
7. Understand about the recovery period
The fear of surgery regularly is actually the fear of the recovery period. There are several questions: Will I feel a lot of pain? Will I be able to drive? When will I have to take such medication? Will I need someone to help me do the day to day tasks?
Therefore, it is very important to understand well about the postoperative period and, once again, ask all the necessary questions to the doctor. After all, everyone wants to return to a normal life as soon as possible after performing the procedure.
At this point, it is important to note that the recovery time varies according to the type of procedure and the person’s own characteristics. Therefore, it may be that your time is different from that informed by the health professional.
8. Find out about anesthesia
Another great fear related to plastic surgery is the fear of anesthesia, which is usually linked to people’s lack of knowledge about this method. In view of this, the ideal is to find out about the type of anesthesia that will be done, how it works, what the risks are, etc.
In general, there are 2 types of anesthesia:
- general anesthesia: blocks pain throughout the body, paralyzes muscles, promotes amnesia and temporary unconsciousness. It requires intubation of the patient, as the respiratory muscles are also paralyzed. It is used in long and large surgeries;
- regional anesthesia: blocks pain in a specific region of the body, such as the entire region below the waist, a leg, an arm. It is used in simpler surgeries, with a procedure performed on only a specific region of the body.
Plastic surgery can be done with general or regional anesthesia, depending on the type of procedure that will be performed. Anesthesia itself has a low risk of complications that, when they occur, are usually related to health issues that the patient already had. Talk to the anesthetist who will do your surgery to clear up any doubts.
If even after these tips you are still afraid of plastic surgery, it may be best to wait to perform it until you are confident. Always remember that it must be done with a qualified professional and in an appropriate environment.
