Cosmetic Surgery: Are You a Good Candidate?

You are a good candidate for cosmetic surgery if you have a healthy lifestyle, and understand the risks and limitations of cosmetic surgery. This means:

• You're not overweight
• You get regular exercise
• You don't smoke
• You’re emotionally stable
• You have friends who provide support
• You can limit your alcohol and caffeine intake
• You accept the disadvantages of cosmetic surgery -- cost, inconvenience, discomfort, and medical risk

Why? You must have realistic expectations about your cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery cannot change your life or make you 20 years younger. In fact, your lifestyle may increase your risk of complications -- and could cause your new look to fade early.

You may be a poor candidate for cosmetic surgery if you have serious health problems such as:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• A bleeding disorder
• Heart or lung disease
• Obesity
• Severe allergies
• Elevated cholesterol
• Arthritis
• Depression

If you suffer from any of these health problems -- or if you smoke or drink alcohol excessively -- you face a higher rate of complications such as infection, bleeding, skin loss, and problems due to the anesthesia.

Some surgeons insist that smokers quit for two to four weeks prior to surgery. They must remain smoke-free for two to four weeks after surgery. This allows the body to heal properly.

Also, be sure you give your surgeon a complete medical history, including medications such as aspirin, vitamins, hormones (oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement), and herbal compounds and supplements. These products can interfere with blood clotting or with other medications used during surgery.

Making the Decision to Have Cosmetic Surgery

Your skin type and other unique characteristics should factor into your decision to have a cosmetic procedure. For example, skin resurfacing techniques work best on people with fair skin and light colored hair. People with thin and delicate nasal skin get the best results from nose surgery (rhinoplasty). 

This detailed list will help you to determine if you are a good candidate for a specific facial cosmetic procedure:

• Botox. You are a good candidate if you have frown lines or wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions. People who have a neurological condition such as myasthenia gravis -- or who are pregnant or breastfeeding -- should not have Botox injections. Also, keep in mind that Botox requires repeated treatments every few months. 
• Skin resurfacing. You are a good candidate if you have wrinkles or age spots, as well as fair skin, light colored hair, and no history of excessive or dense scarring such as keloids. People with darker skin are poor candidates because chemical peels, laser treatments, or dermabrasion techniques can cause abnormal lightening or darkening of the skin. Also, you must agree to lifelong sun protection after having skin resurfacing. 
• Injectable fillers. You are a good candidate if you have acne scars or wrinkles and depressions that need a better contour. You are a poor candidate if you have many severe, deep wrinkles of the skin.   For example, “lipstick lines” are better removed with skin resurfacing. 
• Lip augmentation. You are a good candidate if you are young and want bigger lips for kissing -- or if you are older and your lips have thinned. You are a poor candidate if you have one of these conditions: oral herpes simplex virus infections; diabetes; an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis; serious allergic reactions of any type; or if you have recently taken the acne drug Accutane. Also, you must accept the risk of allergic reaction to the implanted material. 
• Cheek implants. You are a good candidate if you have flat cheek bones or early sagging of the cheeks. You are a poor candidate if you have excess sagging of the skin, which is better treated with a facelift. Also, you must accept the risk that the implant could become infected, be rejected by your body, or shift to an abnormal position requiring more surgery.           
• Chin implant. You are a good candidate if you have a weak chin or if your chin is not balanced with your nose. You are a poor candidate if you have an abnormal dental bite that requires jaw realignment. Also, you must be able to accept the risk that the implant could become infected, be rejected by your body, or shift to an abnormal position requiring more surgery. 
• Forehead/Brow lift. You are a good candidate if you have heavy eyebrows, deep forehead wrinkles, or frown lines. You are a poor candidate if you are balding or scar easily. Also, you must be able to accept the risk of losing your hair around the incisions -- and possibly having some numbness in your forehead and scalp. 
• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). You are a good candidate if you have droopy eyelids, bags, or puffiness around your eyes. You are a poor candidate if you have dark circles, fine lines, or crow’s feet. Also, you must be able to accept the risk of blindness (extremely rare), dry eyes, visible scars, and eyelid "pulling" (which can cause eye irritation).
• Nasal surgery (rhinoplasty). You are a good candidate if you have a large or crooked nose that is droopy or has a bump. You are a poor candidate if you have thick skin, are a child (not fully physically developed), or are still playing contact sports. Also, you must be able to accept the possibility that in 15% to 20% of cases, additional surgery is required for best results. 
• Face/neck lift (rhytidectomy). You are a good candidate if the skin and soft tissues on your face and neck sag, with deep wrinkles, jowls, and a double chin. You are a poor candidate if your skin is not elastic and flexible. You must understand that aging continues -- and must accept the risk of skin loss, scarring, numbness, partial facial paralysis, or a change in hairline.

Remember, some of these procedures do not last forever. They won't stop the natural aging process. Think about whether you’re at the right age for cosmetic surgery. For example, you can have a facelift in your 30s, but it may last only five or 10 years. Some people delay having a facelift until they are older, in their 40s or 50s, hoping to have only one procedure.