The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic procedure is a very personal one. Not everyone is a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. Your plastic surgeon will meet with you to determine if you are healthy enough and have reasonable expectations for the surgery.

Wanting to undergo a cosmetic procedure and having the ability to finance it does not mean that a certified plastic surgeon will necessarily perform the surgery. The doctor will first meet with the patient and complete a health history and exam. This information will tell the doctor more about the individual conditions of the patient. Understanding a patient’s health history and current health conditions is essential to determining whether or not the person is a good candidate for cosmetic surgery.

A patient may not be healthy enough for cosmetic surgery if he or she suffers from one or more of the following conditions:

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

• Heart or Lung Disease

• Bleeding Disorders

• Depression

• Smoking

While these conditions will not automatically exclude an individual from surgery, they alert the plastic surgeon to proceed cautiously as the patient may be high risk.

At the initial consultation, the physician will also spend time talking with the patient so that he or she has a good understanding of the patient’s goals and desires for surgery. It is important that the patient has realistic expectations. The plastic surgeon will go over the procedure and give some information regarding the expected results. The patient needs to be well informed of what kind of recovery and results to anticipate so that he or she is not surprised by the outcome.

When a patient comes to a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic procedure, the physician will need to determine why the patient wants the surgery. A good surgeon will only work with patients that are there because they want to improve their appearance in some way. Patients who feel pressure from loved ones or friends to undergo a cosmetic procedure do not make good candidates for surgery.

While cosmetic surgery is voluntary, it still comes with many medical risks. The patient should be informed of the dangers and possible side effects associated with cosmetic procedures. There may be a long, and sometimes painful recovery after the surgery. The physician will need to go over the proper use of pain medication as well as any after care instructions so the patient can heal quickly.

If you are interested in cosmetic surgery, do what you can to make yourself a good candidate. Start exercising regularly to build muscle, improve your heart’s condition and lose excess weight. If you are a smoker, get some assistance to stop. Many surgeons will only work with patients that have quit smoking at least 2-4 months prior to surgery. You must remain smoke-free for at least that long after surgery so that you can heal properly. Get your diabetes and blood pressure under control with the help of doctor. While the physician may still determine that you are not a good candidate, you will know that you have done all you can to be prepared.