Friday, March 14, 2008

The Right Cosmetic Surgeon , How?

How To Choose The Right Cosmetic Surgeon And What Questions Should You Ask Him?

Somewhere out there, an excellent, reliable doctor or surgeon is waiting to transform you. The trick is finding them. To do that, you need to ask the right questions, in the right places, and then you can go ahead with much more confidence.

There is never just one specialist doctor for any procedure in the world of cosmetic surgery and treatments. There are almost certainly several, sometimes many, practitioners and surgeons who can give you an equally good result.

The best way to find a great cosmetic surgeon is to ask around. Get references and talk to patients who are happy (or unhappy) with their results. Talk to your own doctor or gynaecologist and, if you have access to other doctors, anaesthetists and theatre nurse, ask them too. They are great sources of information because they work within the profession and see the results almost on a daily basis.

Ask beauty gurus and journalists, and collect information from magazines, newspapers and the Internet.

Before scheduling an initial appointment, request brochures, which describe their practise, experience and special interests. Also check their web sites. Most surgeons will charge a fee for the first visit, so ask in advance or look out for things like this in your research. Try to get a short list of two, or preferably three or more surgeons.

Never go with the first or only cosmetic surgeon you see (at least, when it comes to having an operation. A non-invasive procedure doesn’t carry the same risks). Even if you are excited about the first one you meet, and feel very comfortable and confident with him/her, please go to see the others for information and comparison, even if only to confirm your initial impression. Only then are you qualified to choose wisely.

Remember that you should always feel comfortable with the doctor and with their recommendations for your treatment. They should also counsel you to make sure that you are ready to undergo this treatment and understand all the implications and risks. If you don’t like the person, continue with the interview but wait and have another think: certainly don’t commit unless you are sure. Once you decide, get all the fees and hospital costs in writing.

To help you, here are a list of questions that you should ask every surgeon you have a consultation with:

  • Have you had any legal action taken against you as the result of surgery you’ve performed, or is there any case outstanding? (You can check this with the General Medical Council).
  • What are your qualifications and training?
  • How long have you been practising and where?
  • What professional bodies do you belong to?
  • How many of these procedures have you performed during the last year?
  • Can I see pre and post operative photographs of other patients that you have operated on?
  • Exactly what do you recommend for me, and why?
  • Where will it be performed?
  • What kinds of anaesthesia will I have and who will be administering it? (The qualifications and experience of the anaesthetist are as important as those of the surgeon)
  • How long will the procedure take?
  • Will I need to stay in hospital overnight and where will that be?
  • How many incisions will there be and where exactly will they be placed?
  • What is the estimated length of time for recovery? Absence from work and overall healing?
  • How long do you expect the results to last?
  • What results can I reasonably expect?

Don’t be afraid to ask these questions. Any good cosmetic surgeon will be more than happy to answer them and to put your mind at rest.

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