Top 3 Reasons Not To Get Cosmetic Surgery

You have BDD- Body Dysmorphic Disorder

BDD is more than being self-conscious about a flaw.  BDD is actually a form of mental illness for those who suffer from it, affecting their self esteem to such a degree as to result in tendencies of self-isolation and obsessive preoccupation with one’s appearance.  BDD sufferers irrationally believe that in social situations other people are taking particular notice of his or her flaws, and the flaws are of such horrendous degree that one must stay behind closed doors- or in the dark so to speak- in order to avoid possible recrimination of their appearance.   Those who are affected with BDD will typically over-groom themselves, applying excessive amounts of make-up to cover a perceived flaw, or possibly tweezing hair so much as to completely rob their brow of any natural adornment.  The maturation of this disorder usually results in no part of the body being free of flaw- flaw which is perceived only by the sufferer and no one else.  A person with BDD will often remove all mirrors from their home for fear of seeing their own distorted reflection, while to others the person looks perfectly normal. 

An individual besides yourself suggests it.

If you never thought of getting a cosmetic surgery on your own, you really want to give a lot of consideration before taking the plunge based on someone else’s prompting.  Especially if you’re a teenager who may only be reacting to cruel suggestions made by your peers, you should give yourself some time and sincere thought to why you should really get that nose-job or those breast implants.  Even if you’re a grown man or woman- if all the tendency toward thought of having these or similar procedures comes because some else has suggested it, or repeatedly suggests it- you really should consider what their motivations are before you jump into something you may not really want.  I must be about YOU and no one else.  Like a tattoo, you’re the one who’ll live with it forever, or end up paying to have it reversed.

Because you’re trying to look like someone (anyone) else. 

Bette Davis eyes.  Pamela Anderson boobs.  Gary Busey teeth.   Do you really want those?  If you’re considering having something like somebody else’s, you’re probably barking up the wrong tree.  Cosmetic and aesthetic surgeries should be about enhancement of your qualities rather than the replacement of your parts with parts that don’t look anything like you.  Discuss your reasoning for desired changes with your doctor before plowing ahead with surgical demands.  You and your doctor together should develop a plan for treatment which will help you to achieve your personal aesthetic goals safely and effectively.

Dr. Jay Calvert, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, California.  Please visit http://drjaycalvert.blogspot.com/ for more information, or visit his business web pages at http://www.jaycalvertmd.com/