Before and after pictures are the hallmarks of cosmetic procedures and surgeries; we all love them. But there is a dark side that no one talks about, the people who have certain procedures and live in regret.
I was one of them and wasn’t even for anything major. However, the experience let me know I would be a terrible candidate for any permanent surgery or procedure that significantly changed my appearance.
This is what happened.
In September of 2022, I decided to have fillers done in my nasolabial folds. I am over 40 and my face has lost quite a bit of fat and is much more hollow than when I was younger. So I booked an appointment to get a filler.
What are fillers
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, dermal fillers are “gel-like substances” injected beneath the skin to add volume and smooth creases. They can be used to enhance the contours of the face as well.
I took my before pictures and the Dr gave some suggestions on what might be helpful for my face. Thankfully I stuck to my initial plan which was to be conservative and start with only my nasolabial folds.
The procedure was flawless, I didn’t have any reactions or side effects. I was a bit swollen but that was to be expected.
Here is the catch.
I hated it.
I hated everything about it.
A few days after the procedure every time I looked in the mirror my face looked deformed. I could see the difference between what I looked like before and what now horrified me. So instead of looking better, I felt that I looked worse.
I wanted to see if I was alone in how I felt so I started my research to see if other people felt this way and they did.
This is what most people don’t know
Over 65% of people who have cosmetic surgery regret it! That is a whopping two-thirds of the people.
Common reasons for regret
- The results didn’t match the image of how they expected to look – 33%
- Encountered complications – 24%
- Didnt fully understand the side effects –17%
- Feel less confident than before the surgery – 13%
- Regret spending the money – 8%
Why is regret so common?
The most common reason was the lack of research into what the procedure entailed and what it would require. There was a lack of understanding of what to expect or realistic expectations on the results going in.
The second reason for regret is getting a recommendation from just one surgeon, you need at least a second opinion on the best procedure.
The final reason is expecting the same results as other people without taking your genetic differences into account.
The secret no one tells you
Most people assume that having a more youthful face or fewer wrinkles will make them happier with their looks but it isn’t always the case.
When you do a procedure like surgery or filler that changes how you look significantly or even slightly there is a loss of identity which can challenge your mental health significantly. A psychotherapist described it as a deep grief for a self which seems to have permanently disappeared.f
Model Bella Hadid admitted regretting her nose job “I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors, I think I would have grown into it.’’
Another woman Debra Dunn hated her face so much that she avoided mirrors.
“Every time I saw myself, I wanted to punch myself in the nose to make it all go away, I just kept thinking, ‘Why did I do this to myself?”‘
Recommendations
Does this mean that cosmetic surgery is a bad thing? No! what it means is to do your research.
Before you decide to proceed with any procedure read up to find out the best and worst-case scenarios so you can decide if you can live with it.
Get multiple opinions so that you can be sure that you are getting the correct information. Assuming you will get the same results as your friends is a recipe for disaster because you are not the same.
How do I feel about my face?
If you are wondering how I feel about my face now I can safely tell you that I am okay with how it looks. It’s been just over 6 months since I had the filler done and except for some occasions when I feel a bit off my face looks normal to ME.
Why do I emphasise to me? Because all the time that I felt I looked deformed no one noticed a difference. Even my mother didn’t notice any change in my face but I did.
Would you have fillers done in the future? highly unlikely the feeling. In module 5 of the Clear Skin Academy, we break down fillers and the other anti-ageing procedures you can do to keep you looking youthful. Plus you also get a list of trustworthy providers in Nigeria.
What is your experience if any with cosmetic procedures let me know in the comments
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