Whether you’re trying to correct a birth defect, solve a health problem, boost your self-esteem, or simply change something about yourself that you’re not too fond of, going under the knife is a huge decision to make. You have to consider the stress your body is under during surgery, the side effects during and after the procedure, and your ability to recover. On top of all of these concerns, there’s the responsibility of finding the right surgeon for the job.
Plastic surgery is an invasive procedure that will not only impact how you look but your overall wellbeing. There’s a certain level of education, credentials, and experience you want a plastic surgeon to have to ease your fears, increase your trust, and ensure the best possible outcome. That’s why it is extremely important to do your due diligence and schedule a consultation with a medical expert like Dr. Binder in Beverly Hills.
What’s a Consultation?
A consultation is a meeting between you and your ideal plastic surgeon where you discuss your needs and the surgeon’s ability to meet and/or exceed those needs. Much like an interview between an employee and applicant, a consultation is your opportunity to interview potential medical experts to perform your surgery.
Be Prepared with Questions
Never walk into a consultation without having some questions in mind that you’d like to ask. Though the surgeon may give you a general rundown of what to expect during the procedure and how their services can best suit your desired outcome, asking questions can give you a more in-depth understanding and resolve any concerns you may have. If you’re not sure what kinds of questions you should ask during your plastic surgery consultation, here are a few to get you started:
- Are You Board Certified? – The most reputable plastic surgeons are certified with a medical board. These are medical organizations that create requirements/standards that doctors must adhere to to obtain a membership. Working with a plastic surgeon who has been board certified means that they went beyond the minimum requirements of their education and licensing to ensure you receive the best services possible. Find out which organizations your surgeon is a member of.
- How Many of These Procedures Have You Completed? – While a surgeon could have been in practice for 10 years, it doesn’t mean that they have 10 years’ worth of experience completing the type of surgery you’re interested in. So, don’t be afraid to find out how many of the procedures they’ve completed during their medical career. Obviously, you want to work with a surgeon that’s had the most experience.
- What Can I Expect During the Procedure? – Ask the surgeon exactly what you can expect and what the steps are during the procedure you’re interested in. Find out things like how many people will be in the room, the type of anesthesia used, the length of the procedure, the steps the doctor will take, and the risks involved during the surgery.
- Have You Had Any Complications During this Procedure? A reputable surgeon will be willing to honestly express any complications they’ve had while performing plastic surgery. Though they cannot disclose patient information, they can explain any complications they had, what the cause of those complications was, and even the steps they took to remedy the situation going forward.
- Do You Have Any References I Can Contact? – There’s no better person to speak to the skills and experience of a plastic surgeon than a former patient. While plastic surgeons can’t just give you random patient information, some patients will volunteer to share their experiences. Any reputable medical professional will be able to provide you with at least one or two people you can talk to.
- How Much Will This Cost? – In most cases, insurance does not cover plastic surgery or weight loss procedures. Therefore, you’ll need to pay for this out of pocket. Find out how much the surgery will be and the various options you have for financing the procedure.
If you’re considering plastic surgery, don’t make the mistake of selecting the first surgeon that pops up in the search engine or that offers you the cheapest deal. As undergoing surgery of any kind is risky, it is imperative that you take your time in identifying an expert that not only has the necessary credentials to practice medicine, but the experience, skills, technology, resources, and compassion to give you the outcome you’re looking for.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
