Shopping malls and airports aren’t the only places that see more action around the holidays. This is also the time of year that merry-makers crowd the offices of plastic surgeons everywhere. Whether it’s because people can take extra time off for recovery or because they want to be in top form for parties, plastic surgeons struggle to keep up with demand in November and December. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before booking your pre-holiday procedure.
Party Perfect
It’s common around the holidays to want to look great in front of people you haven’t seen in maybe a year or more. While it’s important to feel great about your appearance, undergoing major surgery should be a decision made for you. It’s common for those considering cosmetic procedures to be motivated by the opinions of others. Though this is an understandable desire, I encourage patients to think about their own perceptions of themselves above all else. The decision should be about self-perception, with the understanding that a change to one’s appearance is not life changing in itself.
Realistic Recovery
Patients should be realistic about recovery times and activities during the holidays – carrying heavy shopping bags, decorating the house and traveling may seem like low-impact routines, but are significantly more challenging after major surgery. Good options for those who want a beauty boost without the recovery are Botox® and dermal fillers. These in-office, non-invasive procedures won’t put you out of commission for important holiday events and can give you a bit of extra volume, minimize the appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet, and frown lines and enhance contours. Both procedures have immediate payoff and zero downtime, which may make them a better choice for those with packed calendars.
