Getting the Most Out of Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
One of the most important steps that you can take towards ensuring that your plastic surgery procedure achieves the best possible result is to establish a good rapport with your plastic surgeon. Making sure that they understand exactly what you are trying to achieve, and that you understand exactly what sort of results you can reasonably expect, are only two of the many benefits that can grow from an open line of communication. At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C., each of our seven board certified plastic surgeons has their own distinct personality and approach to patient consultations, but keeping in mind a few basic words of advice can help ensure that your initial plastic surgery consultation goes as smoothly as possible no matter which surgeon you choose.
Do Your Homework
Plastic surgery consultations are much more advantageous when the patient can explain to their surgeon exactly what they want. Bring in pictures that highlight the specific features you would like to address, and even clothing that you would like to be able to wear after the surgery. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about any medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments you are currently undergoing, as well as your use of medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, as all of these can play significant roles in your surgery and recovery. Research your desired procedure and know exactly what it entails and, above all, be prepared to discuss the reasons why you want the surgery, your expectations, and the plastic surgery results you ultimately desire.
Ask Questions
Use this opportunity to take the time to get to know your surgeon and make sure their personality meshes well with your own. Get specific clarification about their credentials, including board certification and level of experience, and ask to see examples of their previous work. Find out where your procedure will be performed and who will be assisting. Does the doctor have access to a fully accredited surgical facility and privileges at local hospitals in case of rare complications? Every plastic surgeon has their own unique approach to guiding patients through the consultation process, and some of our providers use advanced plastic surgery technology to give patients a chance to view possible surgical outcomes. The Vectra® M3 imaging system, for example, generates a virtual, three-dimensional model of the patient from digital photographs. This model can then be altered to show a patient the predicted outcomes of many different cosmetic surgery procedures, ranging from eyelid surgery to breast augmentation to lower body contouring. Having a clear idea of what you can expect will give you an opportunity to make truly informed decisions about key surgical details and maximize your overall satisfaction with the final results.
Listen to Your Surgeon’s Advice
Our board certified plastic surgeons bring years of experience to the table, and can often make suggestions about how to optimize your results that may never have occurred to you. They can provide you with a tremendous amount of information, so don’t be afraid to take notes. Some of our surgeons make use of TouchMD software which allows important patient information, such as consultation notes, educational content, before and after photos, and procedural videos, to be saved and accessed outside the office from any computer, tablet, or mobile device with a secure network log-in, putting all of the information from the consultation at your fingertips. Most importantly, make sure you understand and follow all post-surgery instructions and attend all follow-up appointments so that your recovery can go as smoothly as possible.
If you’re someone who can relate to any of these concerns, and are interested in learning more specific details about one of the procedures we perform at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C., contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices to schedule a consultation. Additionally, we provide a variety of options for financing, including CareCreditSM and Alphaeon®, in order to assist you. Please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery with any questions you may have concerning the financial planning of your procedure and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news.
