Visiting the Plastic Surgeon – Asking the Right Questions before Cutting

On your first visit with a plastic surgeon, make sure you bring along your list of questions. It is important that you have all of your questions answered well before you sign a contract. What are some of the important questions that you need to have answered? The first question for any doctor concerns of their licensing and certification. A surgeon needs to have completed a residency after medical school. To receive certification, they must have a residency in plastic surgery. They also have to take written and clinical board exams to get the license. Each year, they must take additional courses to maintain their certification. If your surgeon does not have the certification, find another one.

The second question to ask your plastic surgeon is where they will perform the surgical procedure. Be very clear whether they will perform it in a hospital, outpatient facility, or in the office. Make sure the facility is accredited. Wherever they will perform the surgery, emergency services should be available in case of severe problems. In case of problems, make sure you know which hospital they will send you. That way your family will know where to find you. Ask what the potential risks and complications could be. What happens if you have complications after surgery? Whom should you contact? 

The third question for your plastic surgeon is what procedures they recommend for you. For each procedure that the surgeon recommends, make sure you understand what will happen during the procedure. Also, make sure you know what recovery will be like. Many doctors offer pictures as well as videos of the procedures and will offer to show them to you. While your doctor may recommend a specific procedure, ask if there are any alternatives. Ask about the pros and cons of each procedure. A good doctor will be honest and forthright with any questions you have.

While interviewing your plastic surgeon, ask them how many times they have performed the procedure that they are recommending. You will want to see pictures of both before and after shots. Ask them if they will give you the names of former patients in order for you to contact them. Another question to ask is about anesthesia. Will you be under a general or local anesthetic? Who will be administering it? How long will you need to recover? When can you return to normal activities? These answers will help you plan for the best recovery you can have.

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