What to Do If Surgery Results Are Not What You Expected

Most people contemplate surgery for a long time before they decide to set foot in a surgeon’s office for a consultation. After hearing their options and weighing the pros and cons, they plan, save, and imagine what their new body will look like once their bandages are removed. Unfortunately, the moment of revelation is not always what patients imagine. Here is a list of things to do if your plastic surgery results are not what you expected.

1. Do Not Panic

When your surgeon peels away your bandages and you see your new body for the first time, keep in mind that this is not your final result. You likely will have swelling and bruising, and your incisions may not have completely healed yet. Continue to follow your surgeon’s instructions for nutrition and postoperative care. If you still have concerns by the date of your next appointment, your surgeon can assess your healing and reassure you of your final outcome or provide possible solutions for correction if you think you will still be dissatisfied when you see your final results after complete recovery.

2. When in Doubt, Wait It Out

Some procedures, especially rhinoplasty, create residual swelling that can last as long as one year. It is recommended that patients wait at least that long before considering a rhinoplasty revision procedure.

With breast augmentation, the implants will often appear too high on the chest for a few days to a few weeks after surgery. Gravity will help them settle into their final and intended position as you heal.

3. Communication Is Key

During a consultation, a good plastic surgeon should communicate the likelihood that the result you desire is what you can expect. With breast augmentation, it is a good idea to plan to have revision surgery in the future in case it is necessary. On average, most breast augmentation patients consider breast implant exchange for one reason or another after 10 years. The patient’s body may have aged and changed the appearance of their implants, or the implants themselves may have aged and need replacement. If you see any signs of infection or abnormalities or if you are simply unsatisfied with your results, it is important to communicate with either your original surgeon or with a new one. Dr. Jabor and Dr. Reynolds have performed countless revision surgeries and are dedicated to helping you get your desired results.

If you are considering revision surgery and would like more information, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Jabor or Dr. Reynolds. Call our Westside office at (915) 543-5600 or our Eastside office at (915) 855-7800. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form.


CareCredit® and Prosper are both options for financing your healthcare services. El Paso Plastic Surgery accepts both! Please visit the company websites to learn more.

Request A Consultation

At Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso, we pride ourselves in the fact that all new consults meet with the surgeon and will be seen by the surgeon from start to finish. Schedule your personalized consultation for any of our cosmetic surgery procedures.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.