Choosing to undergo plastic surgery can be an exciting yet anxious experience. Many people ponder for hours about the kind of results they can expect to have. However, rather than worry and stress yourself out, focusing on understanding the treatment can go a long way to ease your nerves. In this blog post, we highlight 10 questions you should ask your Mesa AZ plastic surgeon (during the initial consultation visit).
Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?
This should be the first step towards finding the right Mesa Az surgeon. Ensuring that a surgeon is board-certified is essential to increase the likelihood of attaining the desired procedure outcome. Board-certified plastic surgeons are the best in the field because they’ve met very high standards for training, skills, and patient care. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the main body that accredits plastic surgeons in the US.
What kind of procedures do you specialize in?
Once you find a surgeon who is board-certified in plastic surgery, you may want to learn more about their specialties. Do they do any of the procedures that will help you get the look you want? Not every surgeon offers what you need. So make sure you are doing your shopping in the right practice.
Do you perform multiple procedures per day?
When it comes to invasive surgery, you want to make sure that your surgeon and their team are focused entirely on you. This may not be the case if the surgeon is going to be juggling between multiple lengthy procedures within a short period of time. When it comes to less complex cosmetic surgeries, it is not uncommon though for skilled surgeons to handle more than one case in a day.
Do you offer the procedure that I’m interested in?
You want to know whether the surgeon you have in mind specializes in the treatment you’re looking for. How often do they perform this procedure? Keep in mind that surgeons who perform numerous surgeries of the same type get to deal with diverse patient requirements and thus tend to be better equipped for complex scenarios. Ask to see before and after photos to get an impression of the kind of results that the surgeon and their team have accomplished before.
Do you individualize treatment to each patient’s needs?
This is an important question to ask Dr. LaBarbera during your Scottsdale consultation visit. Regardless of how many times a surgeon has performed the same procedure, every patient is different. Your treatment approach needs to be individualized to your needs and specific goals. Make sure to discuss your medical history with your surgeon and ask if there are any special precautions that need to be taken before the surgery or during recovery.
What type of anesthetic will you use?
It’s important that you know what type of anesthetic you will use during your surgery. Anesthesia is a very important part of any surgery, and anesthesiologists should be highly skilled. You want to know what a certified anesthesiologist will be present, and also discuss the best possible type of sedation for your specific treatment. General anesthesia – which puts you to sleep – has been associated with adverse risks and side effects. For this reason, most plastic surgeons only reserve it for major cosmetic surgeries or where the patient actually prefers it.
What is recovery like?
Ask your plastic surgeon what you can expect to feel during recovery. Can you expect to experience side effects such as pain, swelling, and bruising? If so, how long do these sensations last? How much time is actually required to fully recover from the surgery? Also, take to your plastic surgeon about the treatment approach. Do you need to spend a night at the hospital or will you be allowed to go home on the same day as the surgery?
How much does the procedure cost?
Make sure you understand exactly how much your procedure will cost before you go ahead with it. You will be responsible for paying all the charges associated with cosmetic surgery because insurance companies do not typically pay for this type of treatment. As a rule of thumb, get a comprehensive cost breakdown that covers as much of your costs as possible. This may include the cost of anesthesia, and materials for the surgery (e.g. breast implants), facility fees, surgeon’s fees, and prescription medication. Your plastic surgeon may offer an in-house financing plan or partner with third-party providers to help you distribute the surgical expenditure.
How long will it take to see results?
This is a very common question before plastic surgery. Many people want to know when they will be able to see the outcome of their procedures. It really depends on the patient and how they heal. Keep in mind that being patient will help you plan realistically and allow you to manage your expectations.
What are the risks of this procedure?
As the last step, talk with your surgeon about the risks that might be associated with having cosmetic surgery. Understanding the possible complications can help you prepare for any eventualities and thus secure your peace of mind.