Reasons NOT to Have Plastic Surgery

Reasons NOT to Have Plastic Surgery
Expert Author
Thomas Fiala Plastic Surgeon | Facial Plastic Surgery Altamonte Springs, Florida

With over 20 years of experience dealing exclusively with cosmetic plastic surgery, Dr. Fiala is highly regarded in the Central Florida area for his expertise in cosmetic surgery of the breast, body and face. Dr. Fiala is Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Royal College... more

Despite the amazing things that surgery can do, sometimes it's not the right time. No matter how wonderful your surgeon may be, there are some "red flags" that say let's do this another day.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon with over twenty years experience, here is my list of red flags:

  1. You are depressed.
  2. You are having relationship issues.
  3. You think that plastic surgery will fix your relationship issues.
  4. You are recovering from major stress, such as a death in the family.
  5. You are bored and looking for something to do.
  6. You are having surgery because of outside pressure.
  7. You can’t deal with any scars whatsoever.
  8. You can’t deal with any pain whatsoever.
  9. You can’t deal with the possibility that it might not be "perfectly perfect"
  10. You can’t afford it.
  11. Your overall state of health is poor.
  12. You don’t fully understand the surgery, its risks and limitations.
  13. You won’t follow your surgeon’s directions.
  14. You don’t have a good feeling about your surgeon.
  15. You think you have a cosmetic issue, but no one else can see it, even when you point it out.

Not everyone is a good candidate for surgery, whether it’s elective or not. 

It is important to be honest with yourself about your motivations for surgery, and to consider how you might deal with the possibility of a surgical complication or a prolonged recovery.

Some people cannot deal with a scar. Others cannot quit smoking.

So be it. It’s better to recognize these issues pre-operatively, and avoid surgery, rather than trying to deal with it postoperatively, when you have buyer's remorse. Plastic surgery isn't magic. And, even though it has become mainstream, it's still major surgery, with surgical risks and complications that can occur, even in the best of hands.

Do your research. Check credentials. Study lots of before and after photos. I suggest that patients looking for plastic surgery seek out an experienced Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who has significant experience in the procedure(s) the patient is requesting, who operates in an accredited surgical facility, and that any anesthesia should be provided either by a licensed CRNA or MD anesthesiologist. 

Dr. Fiala is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Altamonte Springs, and is a past president of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons. He has been voted "Best Plastic Surgeon" in Orlando, by the readers of Orlando Magazine four times in the past five years.