subject: Questions To Ask At A Plastic Surgery Consultation [print this page] Before you undergo any plastic surgery treatment, there are plenty of questions you need to have answered. It is customary to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon as you start to consider a particular procedure.
This is a great time to ask lots of questions to make sure this is the right treatment for your wants and needs. Here are some of the important things you should ask your doctor at your consultation:
* Is your physician board certified?
Specifically you should ask if she has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, as this is a sign that the surgeon has been required to obtain special training and complete so many hours in that specialty. There are other certifying boards as well, but the ABSP is the most commonly known and trusted authority.
* Does your surgeon have hospital privileges?
While you may have your procedure done in an outpatient facility, most highly skilled and qualified surgeons will have privileges with a nearby hospital that allow them to perform work there and to transport patients there if the need arises.
* How often has the surgeon performed the plastic surgery you want?
The more times the better, usually. More times means more experience and more practice to get it just right. A new surgeon can be very good as well, but you may want to ask him for as many before and after pictures of his procedures as possible to make sure you trust his work.
* What type of anesthesia will be necessary?
There are generally two options, general or local. General is the kind that makes you unconscious of the entire procedure but it is also riskier than local anesthetic. Local means only the area to be operated on will be numbed and you will be awake for the procedure.
While this is the safer option, some surgeries cannot be performed without general anesthesia. Just make sure you are okay with the type to be used and that you are not a high risk patient for that type.
* Can your surgeon refer you to some former patients for testimonials?
Most surgeons are willing to do this. It is nice to talk to previous patients to get their perspective on this procedure and how it went for them. They can also be a great source of answers to many of your questions.
You will certainly have many more questions, and you should choose a plastic surgeon that you feel comfortable enough with to continue to ask questions throughout the entire process.
by: Abigail Aaronson
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