If you are undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure, from plastic surgery to a non-invasive med spa procedure, it’s important to ask questions, so you can prepare appropriately and make sure your treatment expectations are in line with what the procedure can achieve. Before your consultation, make a list of questions that you want to address. These suggestions will get you started.
Why is this procedure right for me?
Before any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to align the outcome and your expectations. In some cases, people seek cosmetic procedures that they expect to achieve something that the procedure actually won’t do. Ask your provider to explain exactly what you can expect after your procedure and make sure that those results match your treatment goals. If they don’t, ask your provider about other options or additional treatments that could be right for you.
Are you a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon? and by which Board?
Anyone undergoing a surgical procedure should do their homework. You should make sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board or Plastic Surgery. There are other “fake” boards such as the Cosmetic Surgery Board which will allow almost any specialty to join by simply paying a fee. The American Board of Plastic Surgery ensures their plastic surgeons are participating in on going continuing medical education, are held to a high ethical and moral standard and they must maintain their certification with ongoing tests and they are competent in the procedures they are performing.
Do you have privileges at a hospital to perform this procedure?
More and more cosmetic surgical procedures can be performed in your surgeon’s office. The important thing to verify is that your surgeon has privileges to perform the exact procedure you are having done at an accredited hospital. Office based surgery is very safe in the proper hands. There are however surgeons who are performing liposuction in their office for example, because a hospital won’t give them the ability to do it there. There are others that have hospital privileges to do eye surgery for example, but not breast augmentation. Therefore they do the breast augmentation in their office because they cannot in an accredited facility. You should ask your surgeon and verify he or she has credentials to do your procedure in a hospital if he or she wanted to.
What is your specialty? Which procedures do you do the most? How many of my plan procedure do you perform in a year?
Before any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to ensure your surgeon in confident and competent performing the procedure you are interested in having done. As plastic surgeons become established, they tend to do more of some procedures than others. You should ask your surgeon which procedures he or she does the most; and more specifically you should ask how many of your particular procedure they perform in a year. If you surgeon only performs a handful of the particular procedures you are interest in having done, you need to ask why and consider a second opinion.
What should I expect during my recovery?
For surgical procedures, you may need to take time off from work and avoid strenuous activity while you heal. Cosmetic procedures can involve special skin care regimes, avoiding sunlight, and more. Planning for your recovery will help you avoid complications and get the best possible results. You should also know who to contact if you have a question or concern after hours.
Other questions to ask:
Where did you do your training?
How long have you been in practice?
Are you a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery?
How long has your staff worked together?
After surgery, who do you call if you have a problem or questions after hours?
Where is the procedure performed?
How long does the procedure take?
At Maloney Plastic Surgery, we’re committed to empowering patients with information at every stage of their treatment plan. If you have questions about cosmetic procedures in Tucson or wish to schedule a plastic surgery or med spa consultation, call (520) 298-2330.
