Plastic surgery is composed of highly individualized procedures, and you should undergo surgery for yourself, not to try to fit any sort of ideal image to fulfill someone else’s expectations. Having unrealistic expectations of your surgical outcome can lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction with your surgery results. The key to formulating expectations for body contouring is creating expectations and a vision for your new look while keeping the reality of potential physical limitations and medical complications as equals. To obtain the most optimal results, it is crucial to prepare both your body and your mind for the dramatic changes that surgery can bring.
The fear of judgement
The society in which we live makes it almost impossible not to compare ourselves to other people. Social media influencers display their most clean cut, exotic lifestyles online, the media portray images with models of specific body types, and every job and opportunity seems to become more competitive. Though the fear of judgement and insecurity is a matter potentially greater than surgery can correct, it is necessary to first focus on the values you hold and ask why you want to get plastic surgery and what will plastic surgery do for your body and mental landscape. Will these changes make you feel younger and increase your confidence? That’s a crucial component! Write these goals down to help consolidate abstract thoughts and then articulate concrete goals to talk over with your physician. If you feel that a breast augmentation will boost your confidence which will reflect in many spheres of your life, then a breast augmentation is the right thing for you!
Talk to your surgeon
After you have created a list of goals, bring your vision to the consultation room to lead a constructive dialogue with your surgeon. He/she will listen, evaluate, and point out what is practical and what is not realistic to achieve given physical constraints. It is necessary to absorb what the doctor is saying and allow your vision to mold and shape into something that both satisfies your desires and keeps you safe. Balancing expectations with the unknown outcome is a critical part of your mental recovery process and central to enjoying your new body after the procedure.