Asking Your Plastic Surgeon Five Questions Before Surgery

Plastic surgery is usually the result of many months or years worth of thought and deliberation this site. It is essential to fully inform yourself about the procedure before you decide to proceed. This will ensure that the outcome is the best it can be with the least risk of complications. This is a checklist of questions that you should ask before any procedure.

1. What is your training and experience?

The training and expertise of your surgeon are two of the most important factors that determine the success of the procedure. You should ask your physician as many details as possible regarding his or her education, academic achievements, postgraduate training, and membership in professional associations. They are used to answering these questions and are willing to give you detailed responses. Ask your surgeon about the number of procedures that are similar to what you’re going to have done. The more surgeries a surgeon performs, the higher his/her skill level.

2. How can you ensure my safety

Your surgeon can tell you about any safety precautions that he or she takes. You might be interested in knowing whether the procedure will take place at a hospital or a surgical center, or at your surgeon’s private office. You might want to ask, if this is the case: Whether the surgeon’s office has been approved by an agency that certifies medical facilities. Ask the surgeon about the possible risks and complications associated with your procedure. Facelift risks, for example, include uncontrolled blood flow and the “pulled” face look. Rhinoplasty risk factors include excessive swelling and an unbalanced nasal appearance. By taking specific precautions, you can reduce the risk of each type.

3. Do you have before-and after photos of previous patients I can see?

Ask your doctor to show you before-and after pictures of real patients who underwent the same procedure. This will help you feel more confident in your surgeon. Examine the photos carefully to see if they would make you happy if you looked similar to the people shown. You should pay particular attention to signs that the wound is not healing properly or if your skin looks uneven after surgery. If liposuction is not performed correctly, the result can be bumpy and unnatural looking skin.

4. What kind of postoperative care should I expect?

You may need pain medications, to change your dressings, or to monitor you closely after surgery. You can ask your surgeon what postoperative practices he or she uses. If complications arise, will you be able contact your surgeon at any time? How many times will your surgeon visit you after the surgery? Does the surgeon offer postsurgery treatment in a specialized center supervised and staffed by experienced nurses or doctors? Here are some questions that you may ask your surgeon.

5. What is the cost of the whole procedure?

Ask about the cost during your pre-surgery consultations. The cost of a procedure should not be your primary consideration, but if a surgeon offers to perform augmentations, facelifts, eyelid lifts, or breast lifts at prices well below the market average, you may want to take heed. You may also want to consider another physician if your surgeon offers to reduce the cost of Botox if you can convince five friends to receive Botox. If you see aggressive marketing tactics and big discounts, it’s a sign that the doctor is not providing quality care.