Every surgery from the most minor to the major carries with it some type of risk. Sometimes the most gifted surgeon cannot give the proposed results to a patient because of some unseen, unknowable complication. Patients may misunderstand or worse, disregard doctor instructions and complicate or halt their recovery time. Improper wound care of poor hygiene can lead to infections, possibly even life threatening.

Undertaking too many surgeries in too short a time can cause the body to react to anesthesia. Allergies can develop. Circumstances can change, leaving a patient in the middle of multiple step procedure and unable to finish. Because of the unknown factors, it is important to think very carefully about any surgery, especially when it is a cosmetic, elective skin surgery.

Some of the pros of skin surgery:

1. Improved self-image. For some people wrinkles, creases or discolorations are career-enders. Models, actresses and others in the public eye have to maintain a certain level of beauty and therefore are more likely to seek some sort of cosmetic surgery but they are by no means the only ones who do so. Anything a person can do to make himself or herself feel better about their looks should be an individual choice.

2. Removal of scars, bumps or other symptoms of acne. Acne can be more than a minor annoyance; in many cases it can become a devastating disease that leaves the sufferer with deep scars, red patches and ultra-sensitive skin. Microdermabrasion, laser therapy and other skin surgeries can remove some of these problems, leaving the skin smoother, more even in color and less sensitive.

Some of the cons of skin surgery:

1. Expense. In many cases, skin surgeries are deemed to be cosmetic, elective surgery and will not be covered by an insurance policy. If this is the case, you must factor in not only the cost of the surgery itself, but also the cost of the surgeon, the consultation and follow up office visits, the medications and the time you will be expected to be off work. In some cases, these surgeries can be outpatient procedures, but in others you can expect to be out of commission for at least a week or much more.

2. Stigma. Although plastic surgery is more common place these days, there are still those who view it as frivolous or even sinful. If you come from an ultra-religious family you might run into some issues yourself.

Regardless of your situation, in the end the person you face in the mirror each morning is you. If you are considering some kind of surgery, make sure you are doing it with a clear mind and doing it to please yourself.