Plastic surgery is a lifestyle choice few people make lightly. Much thought, research and self-assessment go into the decision even before anyone approaches a plastic surgeon’s office for a consultation.
The stigma attached to the idea of a cosmetic makeover still lingers within many of us, and we’re constantly second-guessing ourselves about plastic surgery being the best solution to bring back the confidence we have lost in our appearance.
But even after that internal battle is won, and we have convinced ourselves that it’s the right thing to do, the next big challenge remains to be addressed: how to tell the family?
In this article, we’re going to talk about 6 things you should be aware of when discussing your upcoming surgery with a spouse, children, parents or anybody else who is close to you, and possibly affected by your decision in one way or another.
# 1: Be Sure Of Your Facts
Never approach the family with a vague idea of what you’re trying to achieve with plastic surgery. Discuss the matter as thoroughly as you can with your plastic surgeon, and be certain that you understand the pros and cons of the procedure. Look at alternatives and do your research well, so you can meet any objections with facts and hard data that defend your decision.
# 2: Have A Payment Plan
Plastic surgery isn’t cheap. Depending on what procedure you have chosen, the cost can be considerable. Be very certain that you have a payment plan in place – and that you can afford it.
As we always want to point out with certain procedures (like fillers for example), going halfway to reduce costs and then expecting the best results from a cheek or chin augmentation isn’t a practical solution. Less isn’t more in cases like this, and in order to be fully satisfied with the results you cannot bargain with your doctor on how much Voluma or Juvederm or any other product you should receive to enhance your appearance.
Finances is an important consideration, so be confident you can afford it before trying to convince others.
# 3: Make Sure Your Spouse Is On Board
Your spouse’s opinion matters when you’re trying to accomplish a physical change, so be sensitive to his/her feelings. An honest exchange of opinion is very important because both parties should be comfortable with the decision.
# 4: You Are Not A Narcissist!
Your friends and family may be taken aback by your decision to have a procedure done, and much of this has to do with the fact that they’re not familiar with plastic surgery.
“You’re beautiful, just as you are,” is nice to hear, but obviously you are suffering from a low self-image problem that you want to correct. And if the procedure renews your confidence in who you are, then more power to you!
# 5: You’re Not Going To Look Overdone And Artificial
This is yet another misconception that people have about plastic surgery. They take the worst-case scenario and assume that whoever is getting surgery in the family will end up looking, like, say, Joan Rivers or Heidi Montag.
This is not the case.
“Patients don’t want to look like those overdone people with ridiculous cheeks, etc. And I couldn’t agree more,” says Dr. Bryan McIntosh. “I don’t want that for anyone either. I want to create a nice, natural look. I want them to look refreshed. I want them to look like an improved version of themselves, and not distorted or weird or unnatural in any way.”
It’s important that you explain this to your family when you first broach the topic. Assure them the goal is improvement in a natural and subtle way. In fact, there are many people who look great for their age because they have had fillers injected or undergone plastic surgery. But the effect is so natural, you’d never suspect it.
# 6: Expect Some Envy
This is not a very pleasant thing to say, but there will be friends, siblings and others who may try to influence your decision because they’re envious of the results you’re going to enjoy after the procedure.