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Plastic surgery aims to change your appearance by altering parts of your body that function normally but whose appearance makes you unhappy. This differs from reconstructive surgery, in which a San Diego plastic surgeon can perform surgical procedures with the goal of improving the appearance and function of body parts affected by congenital defects, injuries and diseases such as cancer. Cosmetic surgery offers choices for making changes in your physical appearance. It reshapes normal body structures, changes appearance and, often, improves self-esteem. If you're dissatisfied with your appearance, you may be interested in cosmetic surgery not only to look better, but also to feel better. Despite possible risks, and though each person's experience is unique, both improvements may be likely after cosmetic surgery.

No studies have conclusively proved that most people can expect to enjoy dramatic improvements in their psychological well-being, however. If you're struggling with depression, for example, cosmetic surgery such as a San Diego breast augmentation procedure is unlikely to relieve it.

When deciding for or against cosmetic surgery, consider the following:

• Your expectations. Anticipate improvement, not perfection. If you expect cosmetic surgery to turn you into a movie star, you're bound to be disappointed. Also don't count on surgery to save a rocky relationship, gain a promotion or improve your social life.

• Time and expense. Cosmetic surgery isn't covered by most health insurance. The costs vary depending on the procedure performed and may range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The procedures and your recovery also take time. This varies depending on the procedure. Returning to work may take from one day to several weeks.

• Potential risks. You must be comfortable with the fact that cosmetic surgery, like any surgery, can be a risk to your health and that the results may not be what you anticipate.

• Physical and psychological changes. Understand the physical effects that may be part of the healing time as well as how the surgery may affect aspects of your personal and professional life.

While dissatisfaction with results always remains a possibility, the closer you work with your surgeon to establish specific, measurable and achievable goals before surgery, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the results. For additional information on what is involved in popular facial procedures like San Diego rhinoplasty, please contact your plastic surgery experts.