“How could this be?” Famous people’s families aren’t supposed to die after plastic surgery. They’re American royalty, protected from tragedies.
But that wasn’t the only plastic surgery shocker. We did a double take when we saw Donatella Versace. “Is that really her?” Lip injections made her look like she’d been punched in the face and had an allergic reaction to shrimp - all at the same time.
And then there were the “hubba hubba” moments. At least when it came to Heidi Montag’s girls. We did a double take when we saw that Heidi’s breasts became so big they could flag down a taxi cab in rush hour. In fact, they could probably have their own zip code.
However, the best stories always come last. Let’s not even go there with Renee Zellweger. At first, we didn’t recognize her. And then we did. Somehow she went from Renee… to unrecognizable…back to Renee in just a year. Surgery perhaps?
Plastic surgery in the celeb world-it’s like a revolving soap opera of never ending surprises. But celebs aren’t the only people who get a little work done.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that in 2014, 15.6 million cosmetic procedures were performed. And Americans spent 12.9 billion dollars in the process. The number one most requested cosmetic surgery isn’t a surprise: breast augmentation. A whopping 286,000 people opting for larger, fuller breasts.
This just proves what we already knew-plastic surgery is becoming an accepted part of society. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s a surefire way to fix those ferocious flaws.
Here’s the thing: you’ve got to be smart. If celebs get it wrong, imagine the disaster that can strike the average person. Following is everything you need to consider when it comes to the cons of plastic surgery.
The first thing to think about is how much risk you’re willing to assume. After all, with any surgery, risks are involved. This means you need to weigh the pros and cons of potential health consequences of any procedure you’re considering.
The first surgery risk to consider is complications associated with anesthesia. Not only can those who have been anesthetized develop pneumonia, blood clots can also occur. In addition, the site operated on could get infected or may scar. And when nerves are involved, sensations may not come back. (For example, when nipples are cut during a breast surgery, sensation may or may not return.)
The next thing to consider is that you might not be happy with the final result. Many people undergo cosmetic surgery and find themselves dissatisfied with the end product. What you see in pictures may be different than what you get. Think of those stories we just told you. Those are the big dogs. If it happens to them, it can definitely happen to you.
It’s also important to consider just how much pain you are willing to tolerate. If a scratch on the arm makes you cry, plastic surgery might not be the best option for you. Take, for example, the story of Kim Gregson. The forty-something underwent a tummy tuck and liposuction operation. However, along with the procedure, she got a rather unpleasant surprise.
Gregson told Market Watch that her doctor forewarned her of discomfort. However, he didn’t tell her that this “discomfort” would be absolutely grueling. Even with two types of painkillers and ibuprofen, she was crippled by pain and haunted by the site of oozing blood.
And that’s not all. After the pain stopped, swelling set in. Though she’d been told that the swelling wouldn’t be intense, it was. In fact, it didn’t subside for seven months. In addition, her regular pants didn’t fit for quite some time. Though Gregson was happy with the result, the downtime associated with the surgery wasn’t something she anticipated.
It’s also important to consider the risk of traveling out of the U.S. for surgery. Thousands flock to other countries for cheaper surgeries in resort-like settings. While not all of these facilities are shady, some can be. In addition, you won’t be legally covered in other countries. That’s because U.S. laws do not protect patients who have surgery abroad. So if you do run into problems, filing a lawsuit can be difficult (if at all possible).
In addition, physicians in other countries are not held to the same standards that physicians on the home front must adhere to. In other words, you might not have the same operation you see in strategically advertised pictures. Further, travel after surgery can be dangerous. For example, the risk of blood clots is elevated.
And that’s not all. There are other risks-especially when it comes to telling the truth about your dirty little secrets. If you’re considering plastic surgery, you’ve got to be ready to be honest with your doctor about your habits.
For example, one doctor told Real Self that he requires patients to quit smoking three weeks before surgery. This means you need to tell your doctor if you smoke. After all, it’s your health we’re talking about.
“Smoking introduces carbon monoxide into your system, which steals oxygen from the tissues, as well as nicotine, which crimps down on the blood vessels,” Dr. George J. Beraka told Real Self. “There are many side effects, including longer healing time, worsened scars and more complications in patients who smoke.”
In addition, being honest about smoking can help surgeons to do a better job on certain procedures. “There are things that you can do to mitigate the effects of smoking, such as modify your SMAS facelift to pull more on the deep tissues and less on the skin, or take the tension off of the deep tissues of the abdominoplasty,” adds Beraka. “But, we are trying to stack the deck in our favor, not in the favor of having more complications. I have for years put people on oxygen after a flap surgery just to increase the oxygen in the tissues for a few days.”
And finally, there’s the risk of plastic surgery addiction. Remember the story of Joan Rivers? One plastic surgery led to another, which led to a lifetime of plastics. This happens to normal people too.
According to Dr. Howard Samuels, plastic surgery addiction is a behavior addiction that stems from insecurity and a preconceived concept of beauty. As a result, plastic surgery addicts keep getting more and more surgery instead of reaching out for professional help. Consequently, their bodies become scarred and exhausted. While this doesn’t happen to most people, it’s still part of being educated about healthy choices.
If you do decide to go for the gold, be sure to do every last bit of research possible before going under the knife. Talk to friends who have had surgery about which doctors they recommend. Research surgeon ratings and past patient testimonials. And ask your surgeon exactly what you can expect in the way of results.