Patients
Deciding to have plastic or cosmetic surgery is a big decision, which requires careful consideration. It is normal to have a range of feelings, which can often be conflicting.
On the one hand, you may be feeling positive and keen to change that one thing that you feel is holding you back. On the other hand, you might be wracked with doubt, fears or guilt.
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Here are some of the most common reasons for wanting surgery that you might identify with but you might have others which are personal to you and which we can explore together:
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Feeling that you look aged and tired
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Wanting to feel better about your body image
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Wanting to feel generally more confident at work, in your relationships, when meeting people
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Wanting to be able to wear the clothes that currently don’t suit your shape
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Struggling with keeping weight off and wanting an extra bit of help
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Wanting to feel at the top of your game at work or get a promotion, feeling that your age or appearance is holding you back
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‘Zoom face ‘ – Feeling shocked when seeing yourself on Zoom or Teams meetings
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Hoping to feel generally more confident
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Believing it will make you happier
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Hoping it will improve your relationship or your sex life
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Wanting a confidence boost after a relationship breakdown or a divorce
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To look and feel more healthy
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To be able to run around with your children, to enjoy sports you are passionate about, but which you can’t currently do
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To put an end to the neck and back pain associated with having large breasts
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To stop feeling ashamed about your large nose or ears and to start wearing your hair up
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To stop feeling you need to cover up for fear of unwanted attention and comments
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To please your partner or to keep up with friends
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Because the constant bombarding of the perfect face and body in social media is making you feel bad about yourself and getting you down
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To feel like the ‘you’ you have always wanted to be
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To feel in control
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To smooth away folds and wrinkles so that you can enjoy wearing makeup again
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Feeling that you deserve it and want to make the most of life whilst you can
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What are you feeling about the idea of having surgery?Many patients have thought long and hard about having cosmetic surgery and it is quite natural to have mixed feelings about it. Like many others, you might be feeling sad, anxious, guilty on the one hand, and ecstatic, certain, excited on the other. This can be confusing and making the right decision can be hard on your own or due to the input of others. You might be feeling guilty, ashamed, or worried about upsetting loved ones, feeling pressure from a partner, be anxious about the costs, scared about the recovery or unsure about the results. You might have certain cultural or religious beliefs which might affect your decision. You might be considering surgery as part of a gender realignment process.
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Who can you talk to?Having the opportunity to discuss openly and honestly your feelings and thoughts can give you the clarity to know that you are making the right decision, whether that means going ahead with surgery or not. Either decision can be the right one for you and only you can decide this. Often it is hard to get the space you need where you can freely discuss everything without pressure or judgement and work out what is right for you.
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Who can you trust?This is where I can help you. I have been working with patients who have been considering having cosmetic or plastic surgery for over 15 years. I am fully trained in the full range of facial and body procedures, including specilaised procedures, such as vaginal reconstruction, breast reconstruction post breast cancer, and the revision of self harm scars or scars caused by attacks or accidents. I understand the implications of surgery, from selecting the right surgeon, the qualification process, the divergent approaches and methods of surgery, the risks, the limitations, the recovery and the emotional, physical and financial implications. You may have already had surgery which did not go to plan, and might be suffering as a result and want a safe space to process your feelings and how it has affected your life and relationships. I am here to act in your best interests, to facilitate your exploration of what having surgery will mean to you, so that you can come to your own decision about what is right for you and move forwards.