Each year, hundreds of thousands undergo plastic surgery, seeking procedures ranging from breast augmentation and rhinoplasty to alterations aimed at mirroring celebrity appearances.
While many willingly invest significant sums in pursuing desired aesthetic changes, not all individuals are suitable candidates for cosmetic procedures.
Medical professionals typically advise against elective operations for very young individuals, those with pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, or patients with a history of surgical complications.
Dr. Charles Lee, a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Beverly Hills, has clarified the factors that render certain individuals unsuitable for plastic surgery.
Below are the categories of individuals Dr. Lee recommends should avoid cosmetic procedures, along with the underlying reasons.
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder: When Cosmetic Surgery is Not the Answer
Nearly two percent of Americans have been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder as of 2024
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterized by an intense preoccupation with perceived flaws or defects in one’s appearance, which are often insignificant or unnoticeable to others.
This preoccupation surpasses typical body image concerns, causing significant distress and leading to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and anxiety that can result in social isolation.
Dr Charles Lee, a board certified plastic surgeon explained why certain people should not get plastic surgery
Approximately two percent of Americans have been diagnosed with BDD as of 2024, according to the National Alliance of Eating Disorders.
Individuals with body dysmorphia may seek cosmetic surgery to correct these perceived imperfections. However, Dr. Lee advises against this approach, explaining that for individuals who perceive significant flaws in normal body parts, surgery is unlikely to resolve the underlying issue, which requires a different approach.
Instead of cosmetic procedures, mental health professionals recommend therapy and medication to address BDD.
Perfectionistic Tendencies: Managing Expectations in Cosmetic Procedures
Dr. Lee also cautions that individuals who are highly detail-oriented and intolerant of minor asymmetries should reconsider undergoing cosmetic procedures.
Perfectionists often possess an intense desire for flawlessness, which can foster unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes.
Cosmetic procedures, however, carry inherent risks of complications or imperfections.
In procedures such as rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), some degree of asymmetry is normal in the healing process. This can lead to significant disappointment for perfectionistic individuals, potentially causing them to seek further procedures or revisions.
Dr Lee added that people who are extremely particular in life and cannot bear slight asymmetries should not undergo procedures
Dr. Lee clarified, “Cosmetic surgery is not an exact science; individuals must be prepared for slight variations and imperfections, especially in precise procedures like rhinoplasty or eyelid surgery.”
He continued, “Even minute discrepancies may be noticeable, and surgeons cannot always rectify every detail, as some asymmetries are inherent and uncorrectable.”
Dr. Lee emphasized that plastic surgery necessitates considerable patience and acceptance of uncertainty.
“Expect swelling post-surgery, and healing progresses uniquely for each individual. Predicting the precise outcome is impossible,” he stated.
“While surgeons aim for a high degree of precision, a degree of variability remains. Patients must accept this potential variability to manage expectations,” Dr. Lee added.
“The final results can take months, or even up to two years to fully manifest,” he concluded.
Unrealistic Expectations: The Limits of Cosmetic Enhancement
In recent years, social media may contribute to unrealistic perceptions of plastic surgery, suggesting it can entirely resolve personal problems and achieve idealized appearances.
Dr Lee highlighted that people who have a tendency to bleed easily during surgery should avoid an elective operation
Dr. Lee cautions against this viewpoint, emphasizing that expecting immediate and dramatic transformations is unrealistic.
It is crucial to understand that cosmetic surgery cannot fundamentally overhaul facial and body structures.
The surgeon shared, “Even as someone who has undergone cosmetic procedures, including rhinoplasty and chin augmentation, I understand that surgery cannot fundamentally change one’s appearance to resemble someone else entirely.”
He stressed the importance of maintaining realistic expectations, as cosmetic surgery is not designed to reverse aging, enhance relationships, or modify negative self-perception.
Bleeding Risks: Health Conditions and Lifestyle Factors to Consider
Finally, Dr. Lee emphasized that individuals prone to easy or excessive bleeding face heightened risks and should generally avoid elective surgeries.
He explained that approximately 10% of individuals exhibit a tendency to bleed more during surgery. For those with milder conditions, such as vitamin K deficiency, addressing the underlying issue prior to considering surgery is advisable, while individuals with more serious bleeding disorders must exercise extreme caution.
Conditions such as hemophilia, a condition inhibiting blood clotting, and Von Willebrand disease, a hereditary bleeding disorder stemming from deficient clotting protein levels, can result in extended and unmanageable bleeding.
An accumulation of cigarette smoke in the chest can also cause issues during the healing process
Lifestyle factors such as regular smoking and heavy alcohol intake can also increase surgical risks.
Alcohol consumption can impair blood clotting, and cigarette smoke accumulation in the chest can impede healing.
Dr. Lee elaborated, “A primary concern regarding bleeding during surgery is substance use, notably smoking.”
“Nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar in cigarette smoke restrict oxygen flow to healing tissues, potentially leading to necrosis (tissue death), poor scarring, and unsatisfactory results.”
“Therefore, abstaining from smoking is crucial before elective procedures. Alcohol, particularly red wine, can also exacerbate bleeding risks.”
“Other alcoholic beverages may prolong swelling, and extended swelling can compromise the surgical outcome,” Dr. Lee concluded.