What Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
What Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
Consulting with a surgeon about a procedure can be an exciting and weighty decision. Because, once you have reached the point of scheduling a surgical consultation, you’re ready to take the next step toward achieving your aesthetic goal. However, you may also be feeling nervous and have no idea what to ask your surgeon.
The purpose of this handout is to help you understand your medical condition and surgical options and to be more confident in your very first appointment with your surgeon. Here are some questions you should ask during a preoperative consultation to ensure that you are prepared for surgery.
Surgeon’s Experience
You might already be convinced of your plastic surgeon’s abilities, but your first appointment is all about getting to know the person behind the mask and feeling certain with putting your well-being in their hands.
There’s no need to be bashful about inquiring after your surgeon’s experience. So don’t be shy and to question your surgeon about his or her experience with the surgery you’re going in for and how many cases they’ve performed so far.
Surgeons are like snowflakes: no two make the same incision. It is essential to seek out a surgeon who specializes in the operation you want, whether it’s breast augmentation or rhinoplasty.
Before and After Photos
You may be able to see what your postoperative results will look like by perusing an Internet search for before-and-after photos of other patients who have undergone a procedure similar to the one you are about to undergo, but the best way to find out what you can realistically expect is by asking for your surgeon’s before-after pictures during your consultation.
Surgeons are always eager to show off their handiwork. Like other artists, they often have portfolios that display their best works. some surgeons are such geeks that even when they cut you open, they like to keep pictures of their work afterward. So, they will be glad to share their work and answer your questions.
Patient Safety
The best surgeons know that patient safety is a priority. When a surgeon place patient safety at the forefront of his practices, he will be operating with the highest level of skill and concern.
Questions to ponder when thinking about patient safety can include: Who will handle my anesthesia? Where will my surgery be performed?
Details of Your Surgery
Although you may feel nervous about your surgery day, try to remain confident knowing and anticipating each step of the process. A clear understanding of your surgeon’s surgical plan, as well as what you should expect from your recovery, is essential in order to make an informed decision about whether surgery is right for you.
Time You’ll Need Off Work
To plan around your surgery and to estimate how much downtime from work you will need, ask your surgeon about the recovery times for your particular procedure.
Depending on the kind of surgery you’re having, as well as your line of work, this can be a very tricky question to answer. You also may want to find out about any physical restrictions that may affect the position, such as exercise or running.
If You’ll Require Family/Friend Support for Your Recovery
The answer to this will almost always be yes. A caregiver is required to be on-site at your medical facility on the day of your surgery and for one week following surgery.
The person who will be picking you up from the surgery should be over 18 years of age, responsible, and trustworthy. Your nurse will give your caregiver instructions on how to care for you at home. This should be a friend or family member who can stay overnight with you immediately after discharge. No special training is required.
Final Results
Be sure to inquire about the final results of the procedure and when you can expect the swelling to subside. The answer to this question depends on what procedure you had. In most cases the initial results might be visible immediately or within 4–6 weeks after swelling and bruising has subsided. However, for more complex surgical procedures like Rhinoplasty, it can take up to a year to get your final result. In any case, I bet that by then, you’ll be too busy admiring yourself in the mirror to notice the minor details.
Ask Your Questions from Our Experts
At MahdadMedTour consultations are always free, which allows you to ask any questions you may have so that you can make the best decisions for your health. We want to make sure you have all the facts and understand what to expect from a potential surgery so that you can make an informed decision.
