Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that enhances an individual’s appearance and reconstructs facial and body tissue defects caused by trauma, birth disorders, or illness. Plastic surgery has become very common that you can almost find plastic surgeons all around the city. Before you choose to have surgery performed on you or your loved ones, you have to make sure that the surgeon performing the surgery is a genuine certified surgeon. Here are some questions you can ask the surgeon to determine their validity.
Are you a board-certified surgeon?
Every region in the world has a board that certifies all the surgeons in that area. These boards are mainly established to improve the quality of surgical and medical treatment offered to patients by examining for professional expertise and issuing licenses to the surgeons. In addition, the board bears the responsibility of setting rules and regulations to be followed by surgeons in that area. In addition, the board determines what certifications a surgeon should hold to be allowed to participate in any surgery in the region.
How many times have you performed this procedure?
We all know that you become better once you perform an activity frequently. Thus, it’s pretty evident that you wouldn’t like a surgeon who hasn’t performed any surgery to perform your procedure. The number of times they’ve had to perform the procedure proves that they’ve had sufficient time to refine their technique and specialize in it. Plastic surgeries that are more complex and detailed, such as male facelift, require the delicate hands of a seasoned surgeon. I know that asking this question might seem rude, but it is necessary since you deserve the best care available.
Where will the procedure be performed, and who will be assisting?
All surgeries require a sterile environment to conduct safely. The surgeon is supposed to answer the question about the location to your satisfaction, and if possible, they should take you around the operating room. It would be best to ask about the support staff that will aid the surgeon during the surgery and their qualifications.
What are the doctor’s recommendations?
The doctor’s point of view is necessary before deciding on any plastic surgery. The doctor’s opinion can help you pick or decide what kind of plastic surgery you want. The doctor can also offer you insight into the benefits and negative impacts of the said surgery on your life or if the surgery is necessary.
Does the procedure require anesthesia?
During surgery, anesthesia plays a significant role, but some surgeries do not require anesthesia. Therefore, it is always recommended that you ask about the risks of anesthesia with your surgeon, particularly how important it is in the procedure you will have performed. Before you settle on the anesthesia front, you should know who will be administering it and are they a certified medical practitioner in that given field. Also, knowing the kind of anesthesia you’re going to be administered is very important.
Are there any risks involved with the procedure?
Everyone knows that any medical procedure poses a specific risk in the long run, but you have to know if or how that risk can be mitigated or avoided entirely. For example, complications may occur during any surgery, so it is up to you to take the initiative and ask if any complications might occur during the surgery. Let the surgeon explain how they’ll handle such incidents if they occur.
What about your recovery process?
You need to understand the entire recovery process before committing to plastic surgery since it primarily deals with altering your appearance. During your consultation, you can take that opportunity to ask questions about your recovery, such as:
- Do they offer any after-care services?
- What kind of post-op medications would you need?
- Are there before and after photos of past patients?
- How long is the recovery period?
- Are there any follow-up surgeries involved?
- How many follow-up appointments will be necessary?
- How long will it be before the results are visible?
Before settling on a plastic surgeon, make sure that you have done your due diligence on that particular surgency and can choose to ask for their references and recommendations from friends or even other medical practitioners. You should also ask about the cost of the whole procedure to ensure you can afford it; remember, if you need top-quality work, you shouldn’t cut back on the costs.
