A comprehensive first consultation is an integral part of the plastic surgery process. It is a time to discuss your goals and determine whether they are realistic.
Choosing the right surgeon is critical for achieving your desired results. Be sure to bring your medical history and be prepared to answer questions about any previous surgeries or illnesses.
What procedure(s) do you recommend for me?
The goal of the consultation is to provide you with information about plastic surgery so that you can make an informed decision. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure(s) that will achieve your desired results and help you understand how the process will affect your recovery.
How long before you return to work, taking care of your family and other typical day-to-day activities? Recovery timelines vary by procedure and patient’s medical history, so knowing what to expect is essential.
What is the expected level of discomfort during recovery?
While the final decision about which procedure to undergo is ultimately up to you, the plastic surgeon can take a more holistic look at your situation and offer a series of options for which you are a good candidate. This will help to ensure that you are satisfied with the results of your surgery.
It is a good idea to ask about the average discomfort you can expect during recovery. This will give you a better idea of how long to plan to take off work, find extra help around the house, etc.
What is the typical recovery time for your particular procedure?
While there are some minimally invasive procedures, most surgical procedures will require at least a few days of recovery. Make sure you ask the plastic surgeon Bellevue about what to expect during this time.
For example, if you are considering breast implants, the surgeon should be able to tell you how long it will take for your nipple incisions to heal. This will help you determine whether the procedure is correct for you.
A trustworthy plastic surgeon will be frank about any risks that may arise with your procedure. However, he should also explain how these risks can be mitigated.
Are there before and after photos available?
Before-and-After photos are a great way to convey a patient’s aesthetic goals and results, and they are essential in cosmetic plastic surgery. However, these photographs must be high-quality and accurate.
To do this, surgeons should establish and stick to a photo-taking system and avoid influencing the result with props or clothing (paper surgical underwear, for example, could appear different from a lacy thong in Before and After images). They should also ensure that their patients wear similar clothes and locations for each set of photos.
What is the surgeon’s schedule?
Surgical surgeons spend 12-28 hour shifts in the operating room, performing procedures on patients with conditions requiring immediate treatment. They also conduct research and are on-call during off hours.
Surgeons are dedicated to improving abilities, function, and quality of life when structures on the body are affected by disease, injury, or congenital disabilities. They also provide reconstructive surgery to address damages caused by accidents or trauma.
My husband works at a hospital, and his schedule can fluctuate depending on the day. Some days it is a clinic only, which is usually a 6-8 hour workday; other days, it is surgery day, on-call, and clinic, so he is gone from bedtime to well after midnight.
What is the surgeon’s fee?
The surgeon’s fee, or surgery cost, is one of the most important details to discuss during your consultation. It covers your private time with the surgeon and a physical examination. It should not include any hidden booking or administrative fees.
Plastic surgeons undergo extensive training to develop their skills like any professional service. Their knowledge and expertise are invaluable to patients seeking to improve their lives with cosmetic procedures. So, it’s only natural that they should be compensated for their time.
What is the surgeon’s experience?
Just like learning a new skill, from playing a musical instrument to speaking a foreign language, surgeons can improve their outcomes through practice. However, it’s essential to find out how much experience your surgeon has performing the procedure you need.
A recent study of more than one million surgeries found that surgeons’ results steadily improve as they perform more procedures. This “flattening out” of the learning curve can take anywhere from 25 to 750 operations for different types of surgery.
Ask your doctor if they have any conflicts of interest, including payments from pharmaceutical and surgical device companies. These are red flags that the surgeon may be biased.
