Women spend over $225,000 on their appearance over the course of a lifetime. In other words, enough to send someone to college. Instead of wasting time and money on products, consider a cosmetic procedure instead.

It’s unwise to rush into plastic surgery without considering every factor it entails, though. Here are 10 factors to consider before your procedure. Reviewing these details before getting work done can help you make a more informed choice.

You can choose the procedure (and plastic surgeon) with your goals and needs in mind.

Read on to prepare yourself before scheduling plastic surgery today!

1. Finances

Before scheduling plastic surgery, it’s important to consider your budget. Otherwise, you might find you can’t afford the specific type of plastic surgery on your list.

Here are a few estimated costs for cosmetic surgery:

• Botox: $466
• Forehead/brow lift: $3,900
• Chin augmentation: $3,137
• Lip augmentation: $2,299
• Microdermabrasion: $167
• Cheek implants: $3,669
• Facelift: $8,005

Costs can vary based on your location, the procedure, and the plastic surgeon you choose.

It’s important to note that cosmetic surgery isn’t covered by the majority of health insurance plans. The cost can vary between procedures and surgical sites, too. As a result, procedures can vary between hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Before scheduling your first appointment, consider how much you’re willing to spend when getting work done. Consult a few different plastic surgeons in the area before scheduling your cosmetic procedure, too. Consulting more than one professional can help you gauge the average price.

If someone’s pricing seems higher than everyone else’s, question why.

Then, ask about the cost of any post-op or follow-up procedures you might need as well. For example, you might require an additional corrective procedure.

Gathering these estimates can help you make a more informed choice before you spend money. You can maintain realistic expectations about the overall expense for each procedure, too.

If you can’t afford the procedure you’re interested in, consult a cosmetic surgeon. Ask if they would recommend any other procedures that might align with your goals.

2. Post-Op Care

Before scheduling a procedure, it’s important to consider your life before, during, and after the surgery. All surgeons would agree that post-operative care is crucial to ensuring the best possible outcome for a procedure. Before scheduling your surgery, determine what’s involved with the post-operative care.

Make an outline of what you’ll need after the surgery. For example, you’ll likely need someone to drive you home.

Determine who will make up your support system after your procedure, too. Having a support system is vital. Otherwise, you might not heal completely following your procedure.

If you don’t heal properly, you might not feel satisfied with the results.

3. Goals

Before scheduling cosmetic surgery, sit down with a cosmetic surgeon to discuss your goals. For example, perhaps you’re unhappy with the fine lines and wrinkles on your face. Perhaps you’re more concerned about other treatment areas.

Don’t rush to schedule plastic surgery on a whim. Instead, give it careful thought.

Make sure plastic surgery is the best means of accomplishing your goals.

Ask yourself: Do I really want this? How will this procedure improve my life?

Consulting a cosmetic surgeon can help you make a more informed choice.

Consider the type of surgeon that aligns with your goals, too. For example, you can learn more about double chin removal surgery here. Make sure you’re choosing a qualified surgeon based on your distinct needs and goals.

4. Top Concerns

It’s important that you make the most of your cosmetic surgery consultation appointment. With that in mind, make sure to discuss your primary concerns.

Your cosmetic surgeon will help you determine which cosmetic procedure aligns with those goals. Otherwise, choosing the wrong procedure might leave you unsatisfied with the results.

5. Realistic Expectations

It’s also important to maintain realistic expectations before you schedule your cosmetic procedure.

Ask a surgeon to show you before and after photos from their recent clients. Avoid celebrity or influencer photos, which are often touched up. Their results are impossible to achieve, even with more than one procedure.

Maintain realistic expectations about what each procedure is capable of achieving.

6. Ideal Candidates

During your consultation appointment, ask your cosmetic surgeon who is an ideal candidate for each specific type of procedure.

Remain prepared to hear the word “no.” In some cases, you’re not an ideal candidate, and that’s okay. Your surgeon shouldn’t over-promise or under-deliver.

7. Research the Procedure

Gather as much research as possible about the procedure before your appointment. Then, make a list of questions you want to ask.

Having a list of questions prepared can help you feel more confident in the procedure you choose.

8. Research the Surgeon

Make sure to research the cosmetic surgeon, too. Review their credentials. Make sure they have years of experience offering the surgery you’re interested in as well.

Finding someone with years of experience will give you peace of mind in their abilities.

Don’t forget to check those before and after photos. Make sure their unique skill set aligns with your goals.

9. Consider Your Health

Before scheduling a cosmetic procedure, it’s important to consider your health. Are you in your best condition? Do you have any chronic problems?

Make sure to talk to the surgeon about your health or any symptoms you’re experiencing beforehand. Otherwise, you might find you’re not an ideal candidate after all.

10. Don’t Rush

Above all else, make sure you’re not rushing to make this decision. Consult with a few different surgeons before scheduling your procedure.

Take the time to consider the pros and cons. Gather research. Then, review your notes.

Taking your time can help you feel confident before you begin getting work done. Otherwise, you might feel disappointed if you rush through the process.

Plan Ahead: 10 Factors to Consider Before a Cosmetic Procedure

Don’t waste time and money on cosmetic products anymore. Instead, consider getting work done. A cosmetic procedure could help you accomplish your beauty goals for the year.

Make sure not to rush the decision process, though. Instead, make an informed decision before your appointment.

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