With more Americans seeking plastic surgery, there are more reports of plastic surgery mistakes. When surgery does go wrong, especially plastic surgery, it can feel like a disaster. The good news is that bad plastic surgery can be corrected.
If you believe you need corrective plastic surgery, here are some things you can do that will take the worry out of the process and help you finally get the results you wanted in the first place.
I Had Bad Plastic Surgery – What Can I Do?
If you believe that your original plastic surgery was in some way mismanaged, you are possibly a candidate for corrective surgery. The known term for this is “Revision surgery”. This can help to correct minor issues with a previous plastic surgery such as scarring or a functional issue. There are several things you’ll have to take into account first:
1. Do I Need a Second Opinion?
Getting the most information regarding the correction of your surgery is essential to determining the right course of action. If you believe your original surgeon is not being helpful to you concerning your plastic surgery outcome, you may need to seek a second opinion.
Keep in mind that the nature of your corrective surgery, among other things, will be a major factor in finding the right practitioner to answer your questions. Your consultation should cover most of the relevant issues.
2. Do I Need to Find a New Plastic Surgeon?
If you are certain that your previous surgery can and should be corrected, you may decide to seek a new plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that some surgeries are very complex and your original surgeon may have done the best work possible under the circumstances.
As the surgeon who understands your body and your issues best, your original practitioner might be the best person to perform corrective surgery. But this is not always the case and you may decide the best course of action is to start fresh with a new surgeon.
3. What Information Should I Disclose to the Plastic Surgeon?
There are steps you can take, even before your initial surgery, to ensure that you will eventually achieve the outcome you desire:
- Take written notes every step of the way: dates, times, issues and symptoms
- Take photos of yourself throughout the process
- Get as much information concerning the procedure from your practitioner as possible
Be prepared with personal questions, gather as much information as you can beforehand and adjust your expectations to what is possible in your case.
4. How Soon Can I Have Revision Plastic Surgery?
Depending on the original surgery and the place on your face or body it took place, the waiting period before revision surgery will change. In some cases, such as scar revision, you may only need to wait 60-90 days. If the revision surgery is to correct something more substantial, you want to ensure that you’ve waited the correct period of time to allow for proper initial healing. To learn the correct waiting period for your specific surgery and your specific case, you will need to consult with a plastic surgeon.
5. How Can I Find the Right Surgeon for My Specific Revision Surgery?
To help guide you through the process, we’ve compiled a list of questions for you to consider and to ask potential future plastic surgeons. It is always best to find a surgeon who specializes in addressing your particular plastic surgery needs and has extensive experience in plastic surgery.
The easiest way to start is to book a consultation with a plastic surgeon and start your journey.