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12.06.07
Doctor Consultation Tips
Once you have decided to have plastic surgery and have found a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, your next step is to have consultation. A consultation is an important opportunity which allocates time for you to meet with your doctor privately and discuss issues that pertain to the procedure you desire. The meeting typically lasts an hour to two hours, allowing you to ask questions, discuss concerns, view photographs of past successful procedures and even possibly view digitally personalized body changes on the computer. A doctor may discuss personalized options, guide you through the procedure, and discuss risks and terms of recovery.
The first consultation with your plastic surgeon should encourage you to be honest and take advantage of the time you have to ask questions and learn more. Since most surgeons charge a fee for the first consultation, you should be wise not to waste time. Educating yourself about the procedure ahead of time and going to the consultation with a prepared set of questions is a good idea.
It is also important to know about your doctor. If you are not sure if your doctor is Board Certified, you can contact the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Research and learn about your doctor’s credentials and inquire about any malpractice lawsuits your surgeon has faced. During your consultation, pay attention to how your doctor answers your questions. Does he/she make you feel comfortable? Does he/she listen to your concerns? Did he/she go over risks or alternatives? Always listen to what your gut instincts tell you.
Having realistic expectations about your body after the surgery is critical. Good candidates for plastic surgery are those who have strong self-images but lack self-confidence in a specific area of their body. Those who believe that plastic surgery is the answer to their problems might be mistaken. Plastic surgery does not make up for a broken relationship, fix unemployment issues or get rid of depression. In fact, some doctors who identify bad candidates during the first consultation usually decline to perform on them.
There are no limits to the questions you can ask your doctor and your doctor should be more than willing to answer all of them as thoroughly as possible. Asking questions can protect your health, time and money. Some questions to consider asking your doctor during your first consultation are:
- How long have you been practicing cosmetic surgery?
- Are you a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?
- Am I a good candidate for this particular procedure?
- What techniques will you use to perform this procedure? Are there new techniques?
- Are there any before-after photos I can take a look at?
- Is it possible to speak to any of your previous patients about the outcome of their procedure?
- What are the risks involved in this procedure? Complications?
- What side effects can I expect from this procedure?
- Will this procedure be performed in the office or at a hospital?
- How long does recovery take? When will the bruising and swelling go away?
- When will I be able to go back to work? When can I resume normal activities?
- What are the costs involved?
- Do you expect full payment upfront? What financing options do you have?
- Will I be charged for follow-up meetings?
- What can I do if I am unhappy with the results?
Remember that it is better to ask questions rather than keep them to yourself and regret not getting your concerns taken care when you had the opportunity to. Speak to your doctor candidly. This will help you achieve the results you’ve been hoping for.
1800mySurgeon.com is a free consumer service dedicated to patients interested in cosmetic surgery. The service helps patients find qualified Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in their area, as well as information on a plastic surgeon’s board records, credentials, experiences and specialty areas. Call our patient coordinators toll free at 1-800-my-surgeon (1-800-697-8743) or visit our website at 1800mySurgeon.com to learn more about plastic surgery and access patient resources.
