Your Consultation Appointment

After having researched your procedure and found the names of some qualified plastic surgeons, you will schedule a few, or possibly several, consultation appointments. There are wonderful surgeons out there who are highly skilled and able to give you the results that you want, but you have to do your research. Think of a consultation as a job interview for your surgeon.

What to Do Before Your Consultation

Check around and be aware of all your options. Research the procedure you are considering and all the available techniques. This may take some time, but it is worth it.

cosmetic palstic surgery consultation

Sit down and put together a medical history. Include all the major illnesses you have ever had and any surgeries, along with information about your parents' health (and what they died of, if they are deceased). Make a list of all the medications and supplements you take, what dosages you take, and why you take them.

Don't be afraid to ask around. Ask around your salon or gym, go through referral agencies, ask nurses that you may know, ask your general physician, your hair stylist, and your friends.

Compile a list of possible and begin checking out their credentials. You can find out if they have been disciplined, the status of their license or if any judgments against them by contacting your state's medical board.

Check on each surgeon's board certification with the American Board of Medical Specialists by calling 1-800-776-2378 (Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time) or going to their website at http://www.abms.org.

Find out if the doctor's malpractice insurance has ever been cancelled. Some state medical boards will tell you when a doctor has had insurance cancelled. But be aware that most doctors can get insurance no matter how bad their record is.

What does the American Medical Association (AMA) have on file about the doctor? The American Medical Directory, published by the AMA, lists the affiliations of its members. It should be available at your public library.

Search the internet for information about the surgeons. Do not assume that information about a malpractice suit means the doctor is a bad one. People sue over anything nowadays and some doctors don't wish to go through a legal battle. Likewise, if a doctor has never been disciplined, it doesn't mean he is a good one either. Maybe it just hasn't happened yet. Look for a pattern. If a doctor has never been sued and then gets sued two years in a row, that can be a bad sign.

Beware of the doctor who fails to listen to your concerns or fails to bring the risks and complications of your chosen procedure to your attention. Be wary if he or she starts pointing out what you didn't come in to fix. But, if you ask for an opinion, be prepared to get it. Sometimes something smaller or an additional surgery will make a difference, such as a chin augmentation with a rhinoplasty.

Don't shy away from a constructive critique of your face either. The surgeon can suggest other ways to improve your looks, but should never pressure you.The doctor should be there to make you, the patient, happy, not prey on your insecurities.

Trust your instincts or your feelings during the consultation. Sometimes, if you have a bad feeling about someone or something, there's a reason.

Not all surgeons charge for a consult and the price of the consult does not necessarily reflect on the skill of the surgeon. Prices vary from free to $500. Many surgeons refund your consultation fee if you later have surgery with them. However, do not choose your surgeon based on that factor alone.

Speak to others, like you, who have undergone or will undergo the same procedure you are interested in. Check out our Message Boards. You can ask lots of questions and get friendly answers.

If you view before-and-after photos (from the web, at doctors' offices, etc.) know that they can be retouched digitally or "airbrushed" and not to rely solely on them. If you see before-and-after photos at a doctor's office, make sure that they represent that doctor's work and do not just show what the procedure can do.

Look through magazines, old photos or other sources to help you decide what you DO and do NOT want as a result.

Discuss your wishes and concerns with your spouse or significant other. They may have some thoughts and concerns of their own.

What to Bring to Your Consultation

Bring a list of questions you may have for the surgeon (check other websites for other questions I may not have thought of.
Bring your medical history and complete list of medications you take (including vitamins and herbal products) for reference.
Bring some photos to show the surgeon that illustrate the results you want and even those you don't want. Bring some photos of you when you were younger to show what you used to look like. Do not bring photos of a celebrity or someone else and say "Make me look like that!"

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

What made you decide to become a plastic surgeon? How long have you been practicing as a plastic surgeon?
Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology, or another medical specialty board? If so, how long?
What, if anything, was your medical specialty before you chose to practice cosmetic plastic surgery?
Have you ever been disciplined by the state medical board?
What is your favorite procedure to perform and why?
How many [insert procedure here] have you performed?
How many revisions of your own work, on average, do you have to perform?
Have you or would you be willing to perform this procedure on a loved one or family member?
Would there be any reason that I would not be a good candidate for this surgery?
What are the complications for this procedure?
Are there other techniques, newer ones perhaps, for this procedure that I am not aware of?
Do you have a video tape available of a [insert procedure here] that I may check out?
How long do you recommend I take off from work, school, etc. to heal properly?
What types of medications will I be given and which pain medications do you normally prescribe?
I am sensitive to Vicodin and codeine (if applicable - these drugs makes some people nauseous), what alternative medications do you offer?
What anesthesia do you recommend for me" Why?
Can I view your Before & After photos?
May I speak with any of your patients who have had [insert procedure here] by you?
How many [insert procedure here] do you perform on average, annually?
When can I expect to look "normal" again after surgery?
What do you recommend for swelling and bruising after surgery? What about arnica and bromelain or other homeopathic remedies?
Will I have scarring? If so, how bad will it be?
Is the surgical facility you will use accredited? May I see it?
Do you have hospital privileges, should I choose to undergo my procedure in a hospital, and at what hospital? If you do not have hospital privileges, did you lose those privileges? (if so, doctor must disclose this information)
Who will administer anesthesia?
Do I need to be on a special diet, either preoperatively or postoperatively?
I take (birth control, diet pills, antidepressants, etc.) will I have any adverse reactions from the prescribed medications or anesthesia?
What would you do if I were to have a complication?
If my results are not what I wanted, what is your policy on a revision?
Do you believe my expectations can be met?
What if I change my mind and back out, will my money be refunded?
If I have an emergency the night after surgery, what should I do?
If such an emergency arises, will you be the attending physician?
If I will need sutures (stitches), when will they be taken out?
Are there any hidden costs that I should know about? For lab work, postoperative check-ups, additional medications? What about fees for the anesthesiologist of anesthetist?
If I need anything after-hours, how will I be able to get in touch with you or your staff?
What are your policies on postoperative care?
Do you offer financing (if applicable)? Do you expect full payment up front? Can I pay in increments?
How long after will I be able to walk, exercise, run or participate in contact sports?

The Actual Consultation

Arrive at your consultation on time, but be prepared for them to be running a little late. Bring with you your folder of questions, photos, and anything else you can think of.

You will meet with the surgeon or at least you should. There are some practices where you don't even meet the surgeon until the day of surgery, which I think is a poor practice. Discuss all your questions, concerns, fears expectations, etc. You will discuss your medical history, your options for procedure, anesthesia, incision placements and anything else you feel is important.

Your surgeon should discuss risks at length.You may be given an informed consent sheet that lists all the risks as well as anesthesia risks.

You may also wish to see your surgeon's photo books for examples of his or her patients' results. It is reasonable to ask to see photographic documentation of the type of work your surgeon is capable of. However, this is no guarantee of your own outcome, but it can help you determine your surgeon's idea of what is aesthetically pleasing.

Ask if you may speak to any of his patients who have had your procedure. You may also ask to tour the facilities if your surgery will be performed on site.

You may discuss costs and fees with either the surgeon during your meeting or with a financial planner at the end of the consultation.

You should go away with enough to go on, but you can request a second meeting should you feel that more could have been covered. Listen to your intuitions and inner feelings.

You can, but do not have to, schedule a surgery date at the end of the consultation. This is generally the next step. If you should choose to schedule a surgery with a particular office. you will give a deposit to hold your date. You will also make a preoperative appointment for lab work, preparation instructions, medications, etc. after your preoperative appointment. Your surgery should take place within 2 weeks of the preoperative meeting and lab work.