With hotter months coming, everyone wants to look their best on the beach or out and about in their summer wear. If you’re planning to undergo cosmetic surgery as part of your preparations, it is very important that you carefully plan what you want to achieve, allow plenty of time and be aware of all necessary preparation and recovery requirements.

Cosmetic surgery takes time. You need time in the first instance to discuss your needs and decide which breast or body procedure is right for you, time to consult specialists and decide which to go with and time to ask plenty of questions.

Also note that waiting lists for both surgeons and facilities fill up quickly so you will want to make your booking well ahead of time. Then once you have undergone your procedure, you need time to recover appropriately to ensure the best possible results.

Before committing to any kind of surgery you need to arm yourself with the correct knowledge and be sure that the procedure you plan to undergo is the right one for you. As part of this decision, you will need to research what it involves, what the possible complications or side-effects may be and what the recovery process is like. With so much information – of varying quality! – available online and elsewhere, it is important to get the right facts – from qualified, accredited professionals. The best decision is an informed decision. Don’t rush it as this could lead to a poor result, or worse still, painful and hazardous complications.

It is highly recommended that you choose a qualified, government-approved specialist plastic or oncoplastic surgeon for your procedure. While any qualified medical practitioner can legally perform surgery, only a qualified surgeon has the necessary knowledge of the relevant body anatomy, the rights skills to perform the procedure and the ability to work with complications before they become bigger issues. Consult your GP for a recommendation or ask family and friends who may have had procedures done. But make sure whoever you choose is a specialist and a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

Communication at all stages of the process is essential to getting the best result. In the initial stages, be detailed about the result you are after and make sure the surgeon clearly understands.

Then make sure you ask plenty of questions – about the procedure itself, any potential discomfort and/or side-effects, what the surgeon’s fees cover, what other costs (if any) you need to pay, whether you may be entitled for Medicare and/or private health cover, how best to recuperate after the procedure – including whether you’ll need to wear compression garments, depending on the surgery – and anything else you might want to know.

Timing is important when considering surgery. You’ll need to know how much time you’ll need to take off work and also factor in putting other commitments on hold. The weather is also another factor. For example, if your recovery necessitates wearing support garments, you’ll want to do it before the heat really arrives at the peak of the season. Sweating in extreme heat can also complicate your recovery, as can swimming in warm water before any scars are fully healed. Surgeons advise that any wounds should be kept dry throughout the healing process.

With all this to consider and only a few months until summer, it’s advised to start planning now!

If you would like to inquire about a cosmetic surgery procedure in Sydney, please contact us here.

About Dr Michael Yunaev MS (BREAST SURGERY), BREASTSURGANZ ONCOPLASTIC BREAST FELLOW, AESTHETIC BREAST AND BODY FELLOW, FRACS (GENERAL SURGERY), MPH, BMEDSCI (HON)

Dr Michael Yunaev is an Oncoplastic Breast, General and Cosmetic Surgeon and is the Principal Doctor at Breast & Body Clinic. Dr Yunaev is a highly trained Surgeon with extensive experience and passion for the treatment of all aspects of Breast Cancer Surgery, Benign and Congenital Breast Disease and Aesthetic Breast Surgery, as well as General Surgery.