Some Questions to Ask your Surgeon during Consultation
Arguably the main concern for any individual considering plastic surgery is safety. Stripped down to its bare nature, a plastic surgery procedure of any kind is a surgical operation – usually an invasive kind – that poses its own set of risks. And although these risks are normal, a patient would do well to take the first step towards ensuring increased safety and peace of mind: getting informed. This is what the pre-surgery consultations are for.
A good surgeon would give the patient everything they need to know about the procedure. A better, respectable surgeon would also welcome the patient’s questions, anxieties, and other concerns, and address them in a comprehensive, informative, and honest manner. In this situation, being a patient, the best way to get good information is to know what you need to know.
Below are some questions to ask your surgeon:
“Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?”
Before going into any other details about the surgery, make sure that you have made the right choice with who will be performing it.
A doctor with board certification (as opposed to those who are not, but still operate on patients) is the best way to go: these are professionals who have mastered the basic AND necessary skills to provide safe, quality medical service. More importantly, board certification is a way for the surgical authorities – in this case, the Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons – to give that surgeon their full permission to operate on patients. Anyone seeking for safety MUST opt for a board-certified plastic surgeon.
“Which procedures are your specialties?”
Together with board certification, professional aptitude towards a particular plastic surgery procedure (hopefully the one you’re planning to get) is your best bet that the doctor will be fully-capable and fully-equipped to perform the surgery the safest, best way possible.
“What is your safety record?”
A good surgeon would give you an honest percentage of their success rate, helping you in making your decision to either go with this surgeon, or someone else.
“What are the risks involved in the procedure of my choice?”
As the patient, it is your absolute right to know about the possible dangers and risks to the surgery. Whether it be the side effects, or a surgical worst-case scenario completely out of the surgeon’s hands, you have a right to know what you are getting yourself into. This will help you better understand the procedure, and perhaps gauge the surgeon in terms of how he would respond should such risks occur.
“May I see some ‘before and after’ photos of your most recent patients?”
This is a very good way for you to properly understand two things: (a) the actual results of the procedure, as opposed to possibly higher expectations, and (b) the skill of the doctor.
“What procedure is the best for me, given my desired overall results? Why?”
This question gives you the advice of a professional regarding what you’d like to see happen after the surgery. Is a nose lift really the right procedure for you, or will a face lift give better results? Why? What are the effects of a nose lift, compared to the effects of the face lift?
“What should I do to prepare for the surgery?”
That the surgery go smoothly and safely is one of your main concerns as a patient. This requires utmost care, even before the scheduled operation. The doctor should readily give you the needed information and guidelines on what to do and what no to do during the weeks prior to the surgery. List down your personal habits and find out which ones you should refrain from engaging in. How far ahead should you plan? These are questions that a surgeon should be more than happy to answer.
“Can the surgery be reversed?”
This is in case for any reason you are not happy with the results of the surgery. Again, you can never know too much.
“What are the most common complications when it comes to the type of surgery I’ve chosen?”
Knowing the symptoms is not enough to ensure absolute safety and peace of mind. Each surgical operation has its own risks; knowing the ones unique to the procedure you’ve chosen will only do you good, and can help you prepare for any situation that may come up.
“How long would I have to wait before I can go back to my normal daily activities?”
Some operations require more bed rest than others. Make sure to find out how much rest you’d need to have after surgery. Jumping back into work prematurely may compromise the healing process, possibly leading to undesired and dangerous consequences.
“How long will it take before I see the final results?”
All surgical procedures will show some bruising and swelling that will become more visible during the days (or weeks) immediately after the operation. These side effects, however, will eventually subside. Make sure to ask your doctor for how long the swelling and bruising is expected to persist, and when you will be able to see the end results. This warns you of any extended side effects that may be signs of complications.
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