to consider going for a cosmetic procedure now?

[Binsella]

I recently received a significant (to me) amount of money through inheritance. For years I have promised myself that if I had the money, I would pay privately to have a small cosmetic procedure on my face to correct something that I am self conscious about. I had gone ahead and booked the appointment, but I’m now getting cold feet and I’m worried about covid rates rising and whether I am being foolish going into a hospital for a procedure that isn’t necessary right now. I am also pregnant so I need to take that into consideration. So, should I go for it and get it done now, or wait until next summer perhaps, when rates will have hopefully dropped again? I’m in an area of the midlands where rates are at the national average at the moment.

YABU - don’t go, there’s too much risk, rebook for next year.

YANBU - risk is minimal, go for it.

I'd say to go for it if you weren't pregnant. Given that you're pregnant, I wouldn't risk it (also because pregnancy messes with EVERYTHING in your body and could cause issues like it not turning out how you'd like).

Will they even carry out said procedure when pregnant? I get certain medical treatments that would be classed as cosmetic that were an absolute no go during pregnancy.

Yes, already had it confirmed that they would do it, midwife cleared it as being okay too. Would only require local anaesthetic.

I think it’s being pregnant that’s making me nervous about it. But I also know that I’ll have good intentions to go next year but probably won’t get round to it once I’m in the newborn/constantly attached to me phase.

Would be helpful to know what the procedure is

It’s for a mole removal.

It wouldn’t cost me anything to cancel now.

Personally I'd wait until after you've had the baby, I'm assuming the mole isn't dodgy and it's purely for cosmetic reasons.

@Binsella

It’s for a mole removal.

DEFINITELY wait until after. I thought it might be this from your OP. Moles and skin and melanin go MENTAL when you're pregnant. I got so many moles when I was pregnant and they literally fell off a few weeks after birth. You scar differently during pregnancy too. Just wait or you might not get the results you want.

OP, I’ve had a few moles removed from my face, honestly it’s pretty straight forward. They numb the area, inject some fluid, cut it out, usually it pops out like a spot and stitch it up with dissolvable stitches. I was done in under 15 mins, they healed very well, and I didn’t need to return.

I had a mole removal a couple of months ago (not pregnant though!) as soon as clinics reopened. Local anaesthetic, in and out in 15 minutes.

Everything was very well organised and Covid secure. I had no reservations at all. I suppose any doctor's practice doing even small surgical procedures are hugely aware of cleanliness etc and it is a lot safer than going to the supermarket.

Thank you all for your advice. I think that a couple of you have confirmed the sneaking thought that I was having that pregnancy could cause an issue in both ways - if I caught covid there or if my skin changes during pregnancy. It’s good to know it’s such a quick procedure though, hopefully I’ll be able to go after the baby is born in May.

it is a lot safer than going to the supermarket I’ve managed to avoid going in any shops since March! I am quite anxious about catching covid. I’ve probably made things worse for myself as I’m able to isolate without much effort but it’s probably made me too paranoid. But I’m also really desperate to have my horrible mole removed!

I would get it done if everyone is happy it’s safe. You are going to (or certainly should) be in lots of photos with your lovely new baby, if you are going to look at them and cringe at a mole you hate them just get it removed while you can

I’ve always had lots of photos with my other children, obviously it shows on those. I don’t cringe at them though, I just like seeing happy photos of me with my babies. So I don’t think I need to worry about it on that level...it bothers me when I look in the mirror, but it’s not what I focus on when I see photos of myself with my children. Strange, can’t explain it really.