Skip Channel4 main Navigation

|Powered By Google


10 Years Younger

Beauty

Sunless glow | Pillar box pout | Necks | Surgery | Teeth | Make-up | Facelift alternatives | Problem features

HOW WILL YOU FEEL AFTER COSMETIC SURGERY?

Most of the women on 10 Years Younger who undergo radical cosmetic surgery are thrilled with the results.

Yet undergoing surgery can result in a range of emotions and reactions.


Surgeon
Emotional effects

Psychologically, you may not feel instantly fantastic. The physical reactions to the op are likely to make you feel grumpy and exhausted. You may still have bruising and puffiness which cover up any improvement in your appearance.

Don't be surprised if you feel a little low and wonder if it was all worth it at that time.


A plaster
Some people suffer from ‘post-operative depression’ which can last up to a fortnight. You may feel tearful, lethargic, hopeless or abnormally low. If you feel like this, make sure you talk to someone you can trust and discuss it with your surgeon at your post-op meeting.

Surgeons
A life-changing experience

How you feel in the long-term about your surgery depends on what sort of a person you are and what you expected to happen from the work.

Therefore it’s worth thinking about what you want from the surgery – before you go under the knife.

Researchers have discovered that people who undergo surgery which results in a radical change to their image such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery) or breast implants can find it hard to adjust to the change. People who undergo ‘restorative’ procedures such as a facelift, which does not alter their appearance but restores it to when they were younger, are more likely to adapt to the change quickly.

Researchers also discovered that people who experience changes in sensation such as a feeling of skin tightening after a face-lift, or loss of nipple sensation after breast augmentation may also take longer to adjust to the surgery. It will take you a while to settle into your own skin again.


Cosmetic surgery
A new life?

Don’t expect that the surgery will change your life either. It may make you have more self-esteem or confidence on the inside but don’t plan for your life to be miraculously transformed just because of your surgery. A new job, meeting Mr Right or instantly becoming a popular party guest just won’t happen because of your new look. They may come along anyway, just don’t anticipate everything will improve after surgery.
Also don’t think that you will be able to change someone else’s reaction to you through surgery. The bottom line – if you’re undergoing surgery so someone else finds you more attractive or sexier – you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.


Stethoscope
Meeting your public

While you may feel fantastic about the results of your surgery, you may find not everyone feels the same and that can be hurtful.

Well-meaning friends and family often say "I liked you the way before" or "You didn’t really need surgery". They may be trying to be nice but it can make you question your decision. Just remind yourself why you had the procedure and feel confident that it was the best decision for you.

Other people may be more openly critical suggesting that you are selfish to undergo surgery or frivolous for spending the money. It is also possible that people will dislike the treatment if they feel you are changing an ethnic or family trait.

Think about this before you go under the knife but if you’ve felt it was right for you, take the advice of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. They recommend you say: "This is something I did for myself - and I'm very happy with my results."


From 10 Years Younger
Find out Nicky's favourite food places on the Big British Food Map
FREE style, fashion and beauty tips
Naked
All the outfits from the new series
From Gok's Fashion Fix
Advice from C4 Health
Dating
For love and friendship...
Embarrassing Bodies
Features and advice