Cosmetic Surgery News from Terry Hand, M.D.

I have decided to discuss this very important process in deciding to have cosmetic surgery because I recognize that hype and media pressure is everywhere. Glitz and advertising do not make a good surgeon, the ability to provide superior surgical skills combined with very personalized care is the greatest predictor of a satisfactory patient outcome. The fundamentally important issues that should be addressed when evaluating a surgeon as the right fit, are very important in a good surgical outcome. So, here I go. All of these recommendations are standard of care at my surgical facility and are the recommendations I would make for a close friend or family member that is considering cosmetic surgery.

Choosing A Plastic Surgeon

In beginning the process of considering a plastic surgeon, I would advise that you to start with recommendations from friends. The internet is another source that is available that often will talk about the surgeon and show photos. Remember, the internet is just a tool to help educate you about the office you are considering and that it is an advertisement. Listen to your friends and look carefully at any websites that you admire the pre and postoperative photos on, but remember that your choice will have to feel right to you. Narrow your choices down to 2 or 3 doctors and consider seeing each for a consultation. Before you set your appointments, research the individual doctors. By that I mean: is he board certified in plastic surgery, is he a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Aesthetic Surgery, has he had any disciplinary actions against him, is his surgical facility accredited by AAAHC or AAAAHC, does he use a board certified anesthesiologist?

Once you walk through the door of the plastic surgery office(s) that you are considering, pay attention to the attitude of the staff and the surgeon. Is your time respected and are your questions answered fully? Did you meet with the doctor directly or were you isolated to watch a complimentary sales pitch about the office and MD?. A very important part of this process is were you asked what your concerns are and presented with the best solutions by the guy actually doing the surgery, not a patient coordinator. If he recommended more than you wanted to do, were you able to discuss your concerns or fears regarding a more extensive procedure? Did you leave the office with a fair representation of the recovery time, what your scars would look like and how your life would be impacted in daily activities after your surgery? Do you know exactly what your surgery will cost with all fees as a fixed cost including anesthesia? If you saw an imaging prediction of what your surgical result would be, did you see other patients preoperative and postoperative imaging and the actual postoperative photos of the same patients? Imaging is certainly fun and helpful in giving an idea of the surgical possibilities but actually delivering a great cosmetic result is always predicated on the surgical skill of your doctor, not a morphing tool.

Following your consultation

When you leave the office, you should have alot of information to review. Hopefully, you will have received a list of medications to avoid for 2 weeks prior to your procedure. The reason for this very important list is to eliminate medications that reduce clotting prior to your surgery date therefore reducing bruising and edema. Review the cost estimate so that you understand what your entire procedure will cost. Most importantly, review all of the information provided about the procedure so that you can understand the surgical and nonsurgical options to accomplish your goal.

The office should also offer you further opportunities to return for followup consultations. It is normal to have initial questions and then followup questions at a later date. In fact, studies show that less than 20% of information about a procedure that a patient is inquiring about is retained when discussing an unfamiliar topic the first time. Hopefully the office(s) will also check in with you to be of further assistance and answer any questions if needed.

The office that you choose should have ancillary personnel (the receptionist, nurse,etc.) that seem knowledgeable and available. Ask the office how often you will be checked by the doctor following your procedure (avoid an office where the staff does the followup care such as suture removal). It is important that you have access to the doctor after your procedure for followup questions or concerns. At our office, I see almost all surgical followups the day after the procedure. I find that removing and changing the initial dressing if needed and checking for any issues early on is invaluable is avoiding postoperative problems.

Booking your Procedure

Consider your family obligations, work schedule and your ability to have some assistance at home if you need it. Our office advises a caretaker and obviously a driver for the day of the procedure. For some of the more extensive procedures such as body lift or abdominoplasty, a "fetch and carry" helper at home for the first 3 or 4 days is very helpful. I tell most of my patients that it is generally best to avoid an important social commitment for 2 weeks after a procedure.

At any time that you have further questions prior to your procedure, call the office for any reason. It is important that you feel prepared and secure about your decision to choose our office or any other.

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