Questions patients should ask their surgeon before going under the knife

Dec 22

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Though plastic surgery has come a long way already and that more and more people are getting makeovers nowadays than say a couple of years ago, still there are those who are hesitant to undergo plastic surgery procedures. It is either they are totally scared of the whole bloody process or they are just not sure what to really ask their plastic surgeon about the things that they want to know concerning the procedure. Okay, the former is hard to deal with but the latter can be addressed easily.

Here are some of the questions, which are compiled by the Daily Mail, patients need to ask their surgeons before they lay down on the operating table.

1. Am I a good candidate for this procedure? Many factors can affect the result you get from surgery including your skin type, bone structure, and age.

2. Is this the best procedure for the effect I want? Although you may know which procedure you want (you may know someone who’s had it, or seen pictures in a magazine) it may not be the best choice for your skin. Your surgeon should give you options.

3. Can you achieve the effect I want? If you explain precisely what you are looking for, your surgeon should be able to tell you if this is realistic or not.

4. What will happen before, during and after the procedure? You need to feel comfortable with all the steps of the procedure.

5. What are the risks and complications associated with this procedure? How often have you seen them happen and what do you do to minimise them? Don’t sign any medical waiver that you don’t understand.

6. How long will it take before I see results? How long will my recovery take and what should I expect while it is happening? Major surgery can entail long recovery periods during which you may often look worse before you look better.

7. Can I see before and after photos of recent patients who have undergone the same procedure I’m seeking? Can I talk to someone who’s recently had the procedure? Of course, a clinic isn’t likely to give you details of someone who was miserable with their result, but you will get some honest feedback.

Okay these are just some of the important things that you need to be informed of but there are still others that are not included here. Some of those things that you may bring up are those that really concern you as a patient.

Make sure that your surgeon knows exactly who you are. The consultation process should be thorough enough in the sense that your surgeon really knows what he is dealing with. For the procedure to really be successful, you have to be open about the things that your surgeon needs to know. This way, complications will be prevented and proper medical care will be provided to you.

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Anonymous on Apr 16

I work as a researcher/writer for a Houston plastic surgeon, and I think all of these are great questions to ask your surgeon. I would also suggest that you ask yourself some serious questions. The person in the post says, "Make sure that your surgeon knows exactly who you are." I agree. But, also make sure you know who you are. Make sure you know who you want to be, and how you think plastic surgery might help you achieve that goal. Most of all, know for whom you're considering surgery. If you ask yourself, 'who am I doing this for," the only acceptable answer should be for yourself.

If you're a bariatric patient...

medical writer on Mar 17

...one thing to find out is how your surgeon feels about working with weight loss patients. As a medical writer, I've learned that many surgeons say they work with weight loss patients, but a fraction of those surgeons are truly experienced. And unfortunately, not all of them enjoy working with people who have lost significant amounts of weight. I've heard comments from a couple I won't share here, but they were disappointing.

To see what I mean, check out the web site of a plastic surgeon I know who truly enjoys working with Sacramento post bariatric plastic surgery . You can tell he's committed to this group by the investment he's made in his web site.

You don't have to see a whole web site devoted to the topic to know your surgeon really cares, but I would say you need some evidence that it's the case. Otherwise you may find yourself making a decision that affects many facets of your life and regretting it.

and one other thing you ought to know, know, know...

Anonymous on Oct 16

... is about Cosmetic Surgery Magazine. They have a great article entitled, "Looking for a board certified plastic surgeon? You ought to be."

AND...

Anonymous on Oct 15

...

6. Are you board certified? If so, by whom? One only needs to be an M.D. to advertise themselves as a "cosmetic surgeon." It doesn't mean the doctor is trained or experienced with the procedure you're interested in.

7. How many years have you performed [insert procedure here]? In that time, how many procedures have you performed?

8. Do you have hospital privileges?

It's important to know all you can about the procedure. It's also important to know as much as possible about the surgeon who will eprform it. I work in plastic surgery (I'm not a doctor), and when people find out, they often ask, how do I know if the plastic surgeon is any good. I always tell them to check out the "Choosing a Surgeon" page at the site of this Colorado plastic surgeon.

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