The Initial Consultation for Cosmetic Surgery

With your choice made of which highly qualified doctor you want to use, you are now ready to meet him/her in person to talk about your particular situation. This initial consultation is important for you and your doctor as crucial information will be shared that will help to insure that you will have a safe and successful experience with your plastic surgery.

The Meeting

Your initial consultation takes place at the first meeting that you have with your plastic surgeon. In this meeting, a good rapport should be established between you and your doctor. If you do not feel like a positive rapport exists between the two of you, you will need to rethink your choice of a doctor. This meeting will include an evaluation that the doctor will make of the particular body part that you are wanting treated. You will also need to share some medical history. This discussion on your medical history is crucial so that the doctor is aware of any medical condition that you may have that could affect the outcome of your desired procedure. Examples of such conditions include diabetes or problems you may have with blood clotting. You will need to share all medications and dietary supplements that you are taking. This is because some prescription medication, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements do affect the way that your body bleeds, reacts in certain circumstances, or even heals. You also need to discuss any smoking habits that you may have. Nicotine in any form will restrict blood flow and slow down the healing process, so you may need to stop using any nicotine product for at least two weeks before surgery.

The Plastic Surgery Discussion

Your initial consultation is a great time to make sure that several topics have been discussed with your chosen cosmetic surgeon. Talk with him/her about whether the desired procedure is really something that could give you the desired effect that you are wanting. Perhaps there is another procedure that will be even better at providing you with what you are looking for. Will the one procedure accomplish what is needed or will more procedures be necessary? When, if ever, will "touch-up" surgery be needed, and will those touch-ups cost more or are they already included in your cost? Are numerous procedures going to be necessary for you to get the results that you are wanting? Discussion must also occur about the medical part of the procedure. You need to know how long you will be in the hospital, what type of anesthesia will be used, what possible complications could arise, will hospitalization be necessary, and discuss how your post-surgery progress will be monitored. By making sure that all of these topics are covered in your initial meeting with your doctor, you will help to ease your mind, and you can make sure that your cosmetic surgery will be a positive experience for you.