How to Prepare For Your Plastic Surgery Consult

Deciding to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon can be both exciting and daunting. As the date of your consultation approaches, you should prepare for your meeting as you would a business meeting. This is what you need to do to prepare for your consultation.

Research:

Even though your doctor will help educate you on any potential procedures, understanding what the different procedures are ahead of time will give you a good place to get started. If you have a good idea of what procedure you would like, you doctor can go over whether it is a good match for you and let you know about other options. Having a couple of treatment possibilities or options in mind can also help you and the doctor work together to find the best treatment option for you.

Write down Questions:

Asking questions at your consultation will not only ease your mind about a prospective procedure, but it will ensure that you know what procedure is the best option for you. Coming in with a prepared list will make sure that you are getting the most out of your consultation and that you will have every concern answered then, instead of remembering a question you had later. Some important questions to ask include:

• What are the benefits of this treatment?
• What are the risks of this treatment?
• Is this the right treatment for me?
• What kind of anesthesia is needed?
• What is the recovery time following a procedure?

Write down Medical History:

You will need to share your medical history and medical concerns with your plastic surgeon, just as you would any other type of doctor. You will also need to bring in a list of your medications so that you can review whether any of the medications could affect your treatment. Giving accurate medical information ensures your safety and help you and your plastic surgeon plan properly for treatment.

Prepare your Finances:

Before you can commit to a procedure, you should have a plan for how you are going to pay for it. You will not have a cost estimate for a procedure prior to a consultation, but you should have a general idea about where your money is and set yourself a good budget.

Find a Friend to come with:

Having a close friend or family member come with you to a consultation can be valuable. A trusted person will care about your goals for treatment, what goes into a procedure, and can be there for your recovery if needed as well. If you are struggling to decide between treatment options, having a confidant who knows you well and can ask questions and advocate for you can help you feel more confident about your plastic surgery choices. This person can also act as a third party, supplying a solid sounding board for you. If you do not have anyone you would like to accompany you, it is perfectly fine to come alone as well.