Last week we talked about how to choose a plastic surgeon you can trust based on the information available online, so now we must discuss the next step of the process: the initial consultation.

Whether you’re interested in breast surgery, facelift or eyelid surgery, a cosmetic surgery consultation is always a good time to learn more about the procedure and see previous results, but also ask your surgeon the right questions so, in the end, you’ll be satisfied with the choices you end up making. Dr Rozina Ali, an experienced plastic surgeon from London, gave us some tips for what questions to ask before a cosmetic surgery:

1. Ask about potential risks and complications

Risk is associated with any surgical procedure, so you should ask your plastic surgeon about what the risks are, how often they occur for the procedure you’re interested in and how they will be handled. A good plastic surgeon will not avoid answering your questions and will offer you every information you need about potential complications.

2. Ask about the recovery period

It is important for you to know what is the typical recovery period for the procedure you’re having, so you can plan time off work and know when you can expect to return to your daily activities (eg showering). Your plastic surgeon must also inform you about pain, bruising, swelling or scars and if you’ll need any support garments after the surgery (eg: after breast augmentation) or if there are any restrictions associated with the procedure (eg avoid lifting heavy objects).

3. Ask about the costs

Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance, so you need to plan your budget carefully. A surgical procedure usually includes the surgeon’s fee, operating room expenses, any materials involved (such as breast implants), pre-op and post-op care - that’s why you need to ask your plastic surgeon for a detailed quote, so you can avoid any hidden fees or surprises. Besides this cost, you should always have some extra savings for unforeseen expenses, such as recovery equipment, additional procedures or if any complications appear.

However, our advice is to never choose a plastic surgeon based on price alone!

4. Ask about the expected results

Some cosmetic procedures have immediate results, whereas others can imply months of waiting for the final result - ask your plastic surgeon about the general timeline of the procedure in order to have realistic expectations.

5. Ask about the anaesthesia

Depending on the nature of the procedure you’re having, the type of anaesthesia also varies. General anaesthesia is usually required for more complex procedures such as breast surgery or a full face lift or when multiple procedures are being performed - knowing the type of anaesthesia you will have, you will also know if you’ll need someone to take you home and take care of you in the first hours post-op. Another question you need to ask is who will be administering the anaesthesia - you’ll want a board-certified anesthesiologist or a certified registered nurse anaesthetist to administer and monitor you throughout the procedure.

While there are no wrong questions to ask before having plastic surgery, the questions above must be on your list when meeting your surgeon for the first time. This way, you can decide if plastic surgery is right for you at the moment.

Book a consultation