If you were to ask plastic surgery patients what they most want to get out of their surgery, a good number of them would likely say they want natural results. No one wants to have breast implants that are visible beneath the skin. And a face that looks like it’s been through a wind tunnel doesn’t sound very appealing either. Luckily, surgical techniques have advanced so much in recent years that natural plastic surgery results are now more the norm than the exception. To further increase your chance for getting natural-looking results, there are a few things you can do.
Have Realistic Expectations
One piece of advice that plastic surgery patients receive is to “have realistic expectations.” But what does that mean?
Usually, having realistic expectations for surgery means understanding just what it can and can’t do. For example, it can mean understanding that a facelift won’t turn you into Jennifer Lawrence or Scarlett Johansson. Likewise, getting the largest possible implants isn’t always the best option, especially if you have a small frame.
During your pre-surgery consultation, your plastic surgeon can let you know if your goals are realistic and possible. He might also offer advice to help you manage your expectations or see what a realistic expectation for a particular surgery might be.
Work With an Experienced Plastic Surgeon
Not all plastic surgeons are the same. Some have more experience and training than others. Some specialize in certain procedures or are regarded as the best in the field for certain surgeries. There are a few things you want to look for in a surgeon to increase your chances of getting natural-looking results.
The first thing is board certification. You can think of board certification as a stamp of approval. It means that a surgeon has not only completed a specified amount of training, but that he has also passed rigorous exams. Plastic surgeons who have been in practice for a while also need to take continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
The second thing to look for is experience performing your surgery of choice. You probably don’t want to see a surgeon who only performs facial plastic surgeries if your goal is to get breast augmentation or a breast lift, for example. When you’re reviewing the surgeon’s experience, ask to see pictures of past patients, both before and after their surgeries, so you can see how natural the results are. You can also ask to speak with past patients to get an idea of their experience and whether they’d recommend a particular surgeon or not.
Ask the Surgeon About the Techniques Used and Your Options
Plastic surgery isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially if you want a natural-looking result. The techniques a surgeon uses will vary from patient to patient based on a person’s particular goals, size and shape. For example, in the case of breast augmentation, placing the implants under the muscle often produces a more natural result, particularly in women who don’t have a lot of existing breast tissue. But an over the muscle placement might be a better option for some women, especially for women who do naturally have more breast tissue.
In the case of facelift and other surgeries to reduce skin laxity, simply tightening the skin isn’t always the best option. Many surgeons focus on the tightening the muscle and underlying layer of tissue. Doing so produces a more relaxed and natural look, helping you to avoid the “windswept” look that was so common decades ago.
Finally, it’s important to ask your surgeon about options. Some people think that what they want is a smaller nose but what might actually help them get a more balanced face is chin augmentation. The same is true for breast augmentation. A breast lift might be a better option than breast implants if you are concerned about droopiness.
Sometimes, when it comes to natural plastic surgery, less is more. Dr. Paul Vitenas, one of Houston’s highest rated plastic surgeons, can help you determine which surgery will best meet your needs and give you the results you are hoping for. To learn more and to schedule a consultation, call 281-484-0088 today.
