While many cosmetic surgery procedures can be completed in under a couple of hours, it is still important to remember that cosmetic surgery is a medical procedure. Taking the time to understand the procedure, the risks, and the benefits are all important steps you can take to ensure that your surgery is successful.
As with any medical procedure, elective or otherwise, it is important to ask the right questions before going under the knife. Health.com and Dr. Phil offer some questions you should ask yourself and your plastic surgeon before going under the knife. Here are some additional questions to consider:
- What are the complications or risks? Every surgery comes with inherent complications and risks. Informing yourself about the risks and complications and understanding the risk factors for certain complications can help you and your doctor make the proper decisions for your health.
- What can I do to speed up my recovery post-surgery? The body takes a natural amount of time to heal. However, there are measures you can take to prevent complications and speed up the recovery time. Exercising, not smoking, drinking lots of water, and generally maintaining a healthy lifestyle are all general things all patients can do pre-surgery to prepare. However, each surgery may have its own preparation requirements. Make sure you know them before going under the knife.
- How long will recovery take? Planning time out of work is a key part of planning any surgery. Knowing how long you will need to recover will allow you to have a stress-free recovery time. Stress is known to slow down recovery. Knowing how long recovery can take and planning for it accordingly will help you have a smooth post-surgery experience.
- What are some realistic outcomes given my goals? Having realistic expectations about how your appearance will improve post-surgery is very important. Speak to your doctor about what kind of changes you can expect. Make sure your doctor has a clear understanding of your goals. A good doctor will let you know what expectations are realistic and which ones are not.
- What are your qualification? Knowing your doctor’s certifications and specialties is always a good idea. Some doctors specialize in certain types of surgery over others. Make sure you choose the best doctor for the kind of procedure you intend to pursue.
- How long have you been performing this procedure? Experience leads to better outcomes. The longer your doctor has been performing the procedure, the more likely you are to have a positive outcome.
- Where and when will the surgery take place? Know whether the surgery will be outpatient or impatient. Will it take place in the surgeon’s office or in a hospital. Different procedures will require different locations.
Dr. Leonard Grossman is a plastic surgeon in Brooklyn, New York who can answer all your questions during an initial consultation. Dr. Grossman has been practicing since 1995 and has some of the lowest complication rates in the industry. He can help prepare you for the surgery and ensure that your recovery is as painless and rapid as possible.
