We at theperfectconnections have no opinion for or against plastic surgery, but we think our readers are probably far more interested in the cosmetic end of this field.

Most of the time our experts are only too happy to reveal themselves, but we had to do some undercover work and promise not to divulge our sources here. There is nothing that will alarm you, but here are a few things you need to know that you might otherwise not know.

Research Plastic Surgeons in your area thoroughly and be sure that they are trained and specialize in Cosmetic Surgery. Try to consult with at least 3 before making a final decision.

Choose a surgeon that seems honest and spends time with you analyzing your needs and answering your questions. Some have great bedside manner and take time to explain, others do not. If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts. Once you make a decision to go with someone, be NICE to the secretary and office staff!! Surgeons get treated with great respect and staff are sometimes less kindly treated. You’d be smart to play politics here!

Here are some things you may not have thought of:

1. You and your sister can both go to the same surgeon, for the same procedure. You may end up with totally different results. This can relate to issues of post op pain and ease or difficulty in healing.

2. If you are a smoker, you will have a more difficult time healing well. If you are a heavy smoker you stand a high chance of having tissue breakdown during healing. With certain procedures, especially those with nipple involvement or umbilical involvement or any facial surgery, you risk the chance of some of your tissue becoming ‘necrotic’ or dying when healing – which means you can lose that area. A reputable surgeon will insist on you quitting smoking prior to these procedures. This can not be overemphasized!

3. When you have multiple procedures, or a large procedure there are a lot of sutures involved, you stand more chance of having some of your wound sites re-opening in small areas once sutures are removed. Pressure points must be watched.

4. For some patients it takes a very long time to heal. This is more the norm than those patients who are quick healers and back to normal in no time. It can take weeks or months to look and feel better. There are often areas of concern, that take a very long time to return to ‘normal’ People come in for surgery with unrealistic expectations of what the healing time might be and expect to look perfect for a wedding, for example, six weeks after a face lift .

5. Always take into consideration that complications that can arise. Often times, patients do not give themselves enough ‘down time’ after surgery which can result in unanticipated frustrations. Again, nothing is “just that simple” when it involves a scalpel and sutures!

6. Some patients suffer a post-surgery form of depression that can last a few days or weeks. This is normal and will pass.

7. If you have liposuction in your thighs, for example, but eventually change your lifestyle so that you continue to consume more calories or exercise less, you will still gain weight and put on fat cells . The fat cells will find new areas to deposit rather than go to the areas of liposuction.

8. If you have a plastic surgery complication, such as a hematoma, infection or seroma – you will end up having to see your plastic surgeon often post-operatively. Perhaps more than anticipated when you booked your surgery. Make sure that you are prepared for these unexpected visits.

9. People have unrealistic expectations about plastic surgery. A person who does not have aesthetics that please them before having a face lift is not going to be transformed after having had one. If all goes well, will look like a younger and more refreshed version of themselves.

10. Patients who seem to have the most difficult time after surgery are rhinoplasty patients. Nose jobs just cannot heal fast enough for the patient, often creating a high level of disappointment and depression. The object of your concern is sitting in the middle of your face and while the nose swelling takes a long time to go down and does so in small increments, one tends to sit and watch it and watch it for any sign of change, that just can’t happen fast enough! If you could do the surgery and fast forward one year, you would see the results in a much more relaxed way.

And here is Mary talking to you, cosmetic surgery should not be done on a whim: after a break up: a death, or a divorce. Many people choose to do cosmetic surgery for the wrong reasons – someone else is pressuring them into changing something. The ideal candidate for a cosmetic procedure is someone who has been bothered themselves by a certain thing for years. It’s your body and your choice, but second to reputation, be impressed by your rapport with your surgeon. Your life is in his /her hands.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT COSMETIC OR PLASTIC SURGERY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ONE OF OUR EXPERTS TO ANSWER? PLEASE SUBMIT IT TO US AND WE WILL PUBLISH THE ANSWER.

I never say never! Maybe in a few years you’ll open a magazine and I’ll be pulled tighter than a walnut

- Sarah Jessica Parker