Essential Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

April 22, 2016

Undergoing plastic surgery can be an easy and stress-free process if the right questions are asked from the beginning. Arming yourself with information about the procedure in question and what you can expect is essential. Success stories in plastic surgery start with a successful consultation and one-on-one conversation with your surgeon. The consultation is the first step in the plastic surgery journey. The more questions that are asked during the consultation, the more prepared and successful it will be. Keep in mind, there are no wrong questions to ask. You want to ensure that you are in good hands in regards to your safety and appearance.

Certifications

One of the most important questions to ask your plastic surgeon is if he or she is a board certified plastic surgeon. The American Board of Plastic Surgery ensures that surgeons have reached a level of expertise and training in plastic surgery. Any licensed physician can legally perform cosmetic surgery, even if it is not a typical procedure they usually perform. Choosing a surgeon that is board certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery will ensure that the individual is qualified and has the necessary experience to perform cosmetic surgery. The certification requires a fellowship in plastic surgery and a residency. The surgeon should also work in an accredited and licensed facility. Asking questions about the surgeon’s certifications and experience is important. Choosing a surgeon that has numerous certifications and qualifications is just as important as asking how often they have performed the surgery in question.

Experience

Ask the surgeon you are working with how often they perform the surgery that is desired, and ask for before and after photographs. Surgeons should be more than happy to show photographs of their work. If they are not willing to there may be reasons why, and you may want to consider a new surgeon. To ensure that you will get the results you are seeking, it is important to examine work that has been done on others. Looking at before and after photographs that reflect the desired aesthetic style will help in deciding if the surgeon is right for you.

Procedure

After determining that the surgeon is right for you, it is important to discuss the procedure itself. Since trust has been instilled in the surgeon, listening to their recommendation and procedure options is the next step. The procedure itself should be fully understood and any confusing aspects should be questioned. An important surgical question that should be asked is about anesthesia for the surgery. Asking questions about this can help you mentally and physically prepare for the surgery. Most plastic surgery procedures require some form of anesthesia. Each patient will react differently to anesthesia and if you have had previous reactions from it this should be discussed. Local and general anesthesia are common and both deemed safe. Local anesthesia typically involves the patient being sedated and has a quick recovery. General anesthesia requires a longer recovery, but may be the best option for more involved procedures, or when multiple procedures are being completed. It is important to ask who will be administering the anesthesia. This individual should be a certified anesthesiologist or a registered nurse anesthetist.

Post-Surgery

Once the procedure is discussed, it is important to ask questions about the recovery process. The duration of the recovery is important, as well as the side effects and potential risks. The recovery time can vary depending on the procedure being completed. Side effects, as well as the medication that will need to be taken, are important to discuss. Ensuring that you can take the medication is important and may be crucial in the process.

Cost

The cost of the procedure can vary depending on what is being done. The total price for the surgery can include many fees which can include the surgeon fees, operating room fees, anesthesia, and implants or materials involved in the procedure. The location where it is being performed is also a factor in the cost. You can ask your surgeon for a quote that individualizes the fees. The quote may be valid for a certain number of days so you can decide if you want to perform the surgery. For more information about the Masri Clinic and how they can help make your plastic surgery desires come true, call (866) 487-3223 for a consultation.

April 22, 2016 by Masri Clinic