We answer one of the most common questions patients ask when considering cosmetic procedures.
From Botox injections to surgical facelifts and everything in-between, unless you’re a member of The Avengers, you’ll want to know if it’ll hurt.
It can be a tricky question to answer because tolerance to pain varies among patients. Some people faint at the mention of a flu shot, whereas others find it momentarily uncomfortable—a small price to pay compared to being laid up with chills and fever. Don’t get me wrong, most don’t enthusiastically race to get a shot and it’s a far cry from a Swedish massage, but for many, it’s more annoying than anything.
So, while our pain tolerance may vary, keep in mind that when performing medical procedures—particularly elective cosmetic ones—surgeons want you to be as comfortable as possible. Think about it; if you got Botox and it felt like you were being repeatedly stabbed with kitchen knives, you might not recommend it to someone you love, though you may recommend it to someone you don’t like very much. Or if eye surgery, regardless of how successful, was akin to losing an MMA fight and no one could look at you for months without exclaiming, “Dear God, what happened?” you’d think twice—or maybe one-thousand times—before signing up. (And even then, you’d probably wimp out.)
In short, pain is bad for business.
As a result, good plastic surgeons go to great lengths to make their patients as comfortable as possible during and after a procedure. The key is choosing a surgeon you trust who is upfront and candid about what to expect. You should be able to talk to them about your concerns and together make a plan for success. If you don’t like needles, maybe topical anesthesia is an option. If you’re feeling especially nervous, perhaps you can be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication. Pro-Nox, a patient-administered mix of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen, allows the patient to feel in control by managing their anxiety and discomfort.
Post-procedure, the aim is to heal while feeling as comfortable as possible during that process. Your surgeon will give you a pain-management plan to follow. If a patient feels excessive discomfort, they should feel comfortable enough to reach out to their surgeon for other options—of which there are many.
Communication is paramount, which is why it’s so important to find a surgeon with whom you’re comfortable enough to share your concerns and speak up if needed, and a surgeon who is proactive and responsive to those concerns and needs—regardless how tough (or wimpy) you may consider yourself to be.
