Making the decision to have body contouring surgery is just the first step. Once you’ve decided to seriously consider a specific procedure, you want to start meeting with surgeons to discuss what comes next. Your consultation is a great time to get to know a doctor, find out more about a surgery, and ultimately decide if it’s what you want to do.
You can get the most out of your consultation if you prepare a few questions to ask beforehand. Since it’s easy to go blank in the moment or forget what you wanted to say, you can use this cheat sheet to make sure you leave no stone unturned when meeting with the surgeon.
Ask About the Surgeon’s Experience and Credentials
One of the first topics you want to cover during your consultation is the surgeon’s experience with the procedure and his qualifications. Ask the surgeon is he is board certified, and by what board. If you are considering having a body contouring procedure, you want a surgeon who’s certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Board certification means the doctor has completed many years of training after medical school, has performed a certain number of surgeries and has passed exams.
You also want to find out about the surgeon’s specific experience with the procedure you are considering. If you are thinking about a butt augmentation, for example, you probably don’t want to work with a surgeon who only performs abdominoplasty or who hasn’t performed a butt lift in many years.
Talk About Your Concerns
Go into detail about what your main concerns are and what you hope to get out of surgery. If you want an breast lift, explain what it is about your arms that bothers you. It could be the size or shape, or you might have problems finding clothes that fit.
Ask If You’re Right for the Surgery
Telling your surgeon what your concerns are can help him determine if you’re a good match for a specific procedure. A surgeon will also look at your medical history and current habits before deciding if you’re a good fit for a particular surgery. If you have a medical issue, he might recommend postponing surgery until the issue is resolved or might recommend another option instead. Ask your surgeon what you need to do to become candidate for a procedure, if you aren’t already a candidate today.
Ask About Anesthesia
Anesthesia during plastic surgery ranges from local to general. During your consultation, you’ll want to have an in-depth discussion about each option available and about the pros and cons of choosing one type of anesthetic over another. A surgeon might let you know his preference for a specific procedure and will explain why he prefers that option over the others available. If you are concerned about the anesthesia, the consultation is the time to let your doctor know about any issues or questions you have.
Ask About the Recovery Process
Understanding the time commitment involved in any type of body contouring procedure is critical, before you decide to move forward. You don’t want to schedule a butt lift without understanding that you might need as much as two weeks off after it.
Ask the surgeon what the recovery period is like for the surgery you’re considering. You’ll want to know how much time off you’ll need, what activities you’ll have to avoid or postpone, and what you can do to prepare for the recovery period.
Consult With a Body Contouring Expert
For expert guidance through the planning process of your own body contouring surgery, contact Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists, where Dr. Ran Rubinstein can help you to achieve the surgical results you desire.
To contact Dr. Rubinstein, please call 845-863-1772. Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists is located at 200 Stony Brook Court #2 in Newburgh, New York.
