Questions to Ask at Your First Plastic Surgery Consultation

You’ve thought it through and are ready for your first cosmetic surgery procedure. Before you head to the operating room, you need a plastic surgery consultation.

“Most patients come to us unsure what to expect before, during or after their procedure,” says Dr. Heidi Harrington, a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics. “The initial consultation is an ideal time to ask all your questions so that you feel confident every step of the process.”

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The Anatomy of a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A plastic surgery consultation is a face-to-face meeting with your potential surgeon. During the consultation, you meet the individual who will augment your breasts, or perform cosmetic procedures involving your face, buttocks, stomach or other areas. This meeting is a valuable time to ask questions and get to know your surgeon.

Your consultation will include the following:

• Goal discussion — You talk about your hopes and goals for surgery.
• Physical evaluation — The surgeon examines the surgical site to determine what options fit your body and goals.
• Planning — Your surgeon explains the pros and cons of available surgical options and walks you through the surgical process.

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Essential Questions to Ask During a Plastic Surgery Consultation

While you can do a lot of research from home, your plastic surgery consultation gives you the chance to get information directly from the surgeon. Asking the right questions can help you determine if a specific surgeon or surgery is right for you.

“I encourage patients to go into consultations like interviews,” Dr. Harrington says. “Remember—the surgeon is working for you, so you want to make sure the surgeon is the right person for the job. You want to feel comfortable with the surgeon and ensure the surgeon has the background to provide the results you desire.”

Questions to ask include:

• Are you board-certified? If so, by what organization?
• Do you feel I am a good candidate for the surgery I desire? If not, are there other procedures that could achieve my desired result?
• What are the potential benefits and risks of this procedure? How do these compare to other options?
• How many times have you performed this specific surgery, and have you performed it on patients with my body type and skin color?
• What anesthesia will I receive during surgery? Who will administer the anesthesia, and what are their qualifications?
• Do you have before-and-after photos of other patients I can review?
• What is recovery like for this procedure? How long does it take to see results, and how long do the results last?
• Have you ever experienced an emergency during surgery? If so, how did you respond, and what was the outcome?
• How much does this procedure cost, and what financing options do you offer?

Along with these questions, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery encourages you to make note of how the surgeon makes you feel. Are you comfortable and confident that the surgeon understands your goals and has the skills to perform surgery successfully? If so, you may be ready to move forward.

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Preparing for a Successful Cosmetic Surgery Consult

“We go out of our way to make every consultation a success,” Dr. Harrington says, “but you can help make the most of our meeting.”

Prior to your consultation, research surgery options so you can ask the best questions possible. On the day of your plastic surgery consultation, bring the following with you:

• Comfortable clothes — Wear clothing that is easy to remove so the surgeon can more easily view the surgical site.
• Medical history — Document any health conditions you’ve experienced, types of surgery you’ve undergone and medications you currently take.
• Pictures — To help your surgeon visualize your end goal, bring photos that show the size and shape you hope your breasts, arms or other body parts will have after surgery.
• Questions — Write down the questions above and any others that will help you move forward with confidence.

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Plastic Surgery Consultation Overview

Before you schedule your cosmetic surgery, you attend a plastic surgery consultation. This gives you an opportunity to meet your surgeon, ask any questions you have and confirm that you are a good candidate for your surgery of choice.

1. During your consultation, expect to discuss your goals, undergo a physical examination, and begin planning your procedure.
2. Asking the right questions helps you feel comfortable with a surgeon’s training, experience and bedside manner.
3. To make the most of your meeting, bring your questions, comfortable clothes, medical history and photos that help your surgeon visualize your end goal.

Call 843-707-8020 or request a plastic surgery consultation online.