Your cosmetic surgery questions answered

• What questions should a bride ask herself before she embarks on dramatic changes to her face and/or body in the run-up to her wedding - after all, he proposed to her the way she is - how can she be sure she's doing it for the right reasons?
The right reason for anyone to undertake aesthetic changes in their appearance is for themselves, not for a potential spouse.  If one's potential spouse loves them, they will be supportive of a brides desire to be all that she can be, before or after the wedding.  The most important question to ask - 'Is there enough time to fully recover before the wedding?'

• What cosmetic procedures would you suggest a bride considered before trying surgery - e.g. Botox, Restylane, dermabrasion, facial peels etc? Which ones are actually worth it?
There is no one answer here. Most women in their twenties and thirties need little in the way of invasive facial rejuvenation.  Lip plumpers, microlaser or dermabrasion, perhaps Botox, good skincare and facials are all that I would think about before a wedding.  Breast augmentation and nose surgery are also common procedures to consider, to enhance photogenicity and appearance.

• Once a woman has had a facial treatment such as those outlined above would her skincare regime need to change to keep the benefits working for longer? How regular would her treatments need to be from then on?
Skincare is a lifetime endeavour.  Needs change with age as should skincare.  Ongoing facial therapies and at least annual assessment of a skincare regime is indicated.

• What kind of daily skincare regimen could make the most difference to a bride with 12 months to go, six months to go or one month to go?
Glycolic peels, microderm or laserabrasion, lip plumpers, and Botox can make significant differences in one’s appearance.  Take away skincare, such as pH Advantage, and services such as those offered in Beyond Spa Medispa at Harvey Nichols, can be tailored to the bride and her wedding date.

• How far in advance of her wedding and honeymoon would a bride wanting a breast enlargement or reduction, liposuction, or a tummy tuck need to be starting her consultations with her chosen cosmetic surgeon in order to look her best on the day and in her honeymoon bikini?
I would suggest a surgery date at least six months in advance of a wedding to allow for all healing of invasive surgery to have taken place and to allow  for the best appearance in and out of the bikini!

• What websites would you recommend a bride interested in cosmetic surgery got information from before choosing her surgeon and going for a consultation?

Both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (www.plasticsurgery.org) and the
American Society of Aesthetic Surgery (www.surgery.org) have good websites for researching procedures.

To book appointments at Beyond Spa Medispa at Harvey Nichols please call 020 7201 8595. For more info see www.beyondmedispa.com

pH Advantage is available at Harvey Nichols stores nationwide, for more info see www.strawberryandcream.com

Dr Barry Cohen is a cosmetic surgeon in Washington DC and author of Total Rejuvenation: from Skincare to Scalpel (available on Amazon.com)

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