Plastic surgery procedures like facelifts, blepharoplasties, rhinoplasties, and forehead lifts begin with an initial consultation. During this consultation, you’ll meet with the plastic surgeon to discuss your medical history, aesthetic and functionality goals, past procedures, candidacy, financing, and other factors. Here’s what you can expect during an initial consultation for plastic surgery:
Check In at the Front Office
You’ll check in at the front desk after booking your consultation online or over the phone. A patient care coordinator will collect your paperwork if you have filled it out beforehand. Some plastic surgery practices offer electronic medical records and patient portals that you can use to complete forms online. If they don’t offer this, you’ll receive the patient forms at the front desk and can take a few minutes to fill them out before your appointment.
Meet With the Surgeon
After submitting your patient forms, a medical assistant or nurse takes you to meet with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon thoroughly reviews your medical history, including past medical conditions and procedures, medications, supplements, and recreational drugs. After the medical review, you’ll discuss your goals, expectations, concerns, and other details of the surgery. Here are some of the things you can expect from this discussion:
1. Aesthetic Goals
Cosmetic surgeons can accomplish various procedures, from eyelid surgeries to abdominoplasties. Expect to discuss how you feel about your body now, how you’d like to feel after the procedure, and the physical changes you’d like to see. The surgeon will listen, answer questions, and offer a professional opinion on what you can realistically achieve with your chosen procedure.
2. Physical Examination
The surgeon may conduct a physical evaluation of the area you want to treat with plastic surgery. This physical examination may involve taking measurements, assessing the skin’s condition, checking for symmetry, and other assesments relevant to the specific surgery. The surgeon may also take photographs of the treatment area for reference and documentation.
3. Treatment Customization
After a physical examination, the surgeon will discuss the procedures they can use to address your concerns. This discussion explores each procedure’s surgical techniques, benefits, risks, outcomes, limitations, and recovery process. You can look at before-and-after images of the surgeon’s past clients who’ve had similar surgeries to determine if they match your goals. The surgeon will then recommend a personalized treatment plan and surgical procedures based on your needs and goals.
4. Pre-Operative Instructions
Your surgeon should provide detailed pre-operative instructions for each surgical procedure featured in your customized treatment plan. These instructions may include dietary restrictions, medication adjustments, lifestyle changes, medical clearances, and laboratory tests. Use this time to ask questions about the steps involved before, during, and after your procedures to clear any lingering concerns or fears about the surgeries.
5. Price and Financing
The surgeon can provide a detailed price quote for your procedures at the end of the consultation. This quote should include the surgeon’s fees, anesthesia fees, operating room costs, devices like breast implants and compression bras, and follow-up appointments. The surgeon may refer you to their practice’s financing specialist to discuss payment plans and financing options.
Meet With a Plastic Surgeon
The initial plastic surgery consultation is a time for new patients to speak with an expert to determine their candidacy and get their questions answered. Whether you want a body lift or a nose job, choose an experienced surgeon with experience performing your specific surgery. Surgeons may also suggest non-surgical skincare and beauty treatments like BOTOX and fillers. A good plastic surgeon will explain all potential procedures and treatments to address your concerns. Contact a reputable plastic surgery practice today to schedule your initial consultation.