Before undergoing any cosmetic surgery, especially if the procedure is an elective one, it is imperative that you are well informed. This is primarily because there are both advantages and risks that are associated with all surgeries. Thus, you should be able to properly comprehend and weigh them before deciding whether the surgery is appropriate for you.
Here are some of the most important questions that you should run through with your medical practitioner or plastic surgeon before you undergo the procedure. Besides, all your questions should be clearly and comprehensively answered by them for your proper understanding.
What is the surgical procedure that they are recommending for you?
First and foremost, your plastic surgeon should be able to explain to you in clear terms the operation that they are recommending for you including the various steps involved in it. Try to understand if there is more than one way of conducting this procedure and why your doctor is preferring one over the other.
Why is this surgical procedure required in your case?
There may be various reasons behind a surgeon recommending a surgical procedure for you. This may vary from helping the patient relieve their pain or prevent it completely. It can also be in order to diagnose a concern that can go on to better the patient’s body function. So you need to clearly understand from your doctor why this particular procedure is being performed on you and in what way is it going to make life better for you.
Are there any alternatives to the procedure that is being performed on you? If yes, what are they?
Many times, it is seen that there are ways around a surgery that can also help improve your condition. These include non-surgical treatments, medicines, or even lifestyle changes. You should ensure that all the risks and benefits in relation to these choices are explained to you in clear and easy terms. This will go on to help you make an informed decision on whether or not to go for the surgery. In certain cases, it is seen that the patient is asked to wait and in the meantime is kept under careful observation. In some cases, you may still need a surgery, but in others, the condition may improve or stabilize.
What are all the advantages of this surgery? How long will the results last?
You should ensure that your healthcare provider enlists all the benefits that the recommended surgery is going is bring you. You should also have an idea about how long will the effects of the procedure last. There are certain procedures that give you long lasting benefits while there are others that last a short time and may require a second procedure after some time. Besides this, you should ask your doctor about published information with regard to the suggested outcomes of the procedure. This way you will be able to get a realistic picture about what you can expect from the surgery.
Are there any risks or complications that may arise during the surgery? If yes, what are they?
Most surgeries come with the possibility of an ensuing complication and you must be aware of all possible risks of having the operation. You must then weigh the suggested benefits against the possible risks before the operation is performed. Complications may range from profuse bleeding and infections to certain side effects that could occur after the procedure. You should also know about the symptoms that you should be looking out for after the operation and when to notify your medical practitioner. Apart from this, discuss with your doctor about the pain that will follow, its intensity, and different ways to deal with it.
Does the plastic surgeon have prior experience in performing this procedure?
By opting for a healthcare provider who is well qualified, trained, and has prior experience in the particular procedure you are to undergo, you minimize the chances of anything going wrong to a large extent. So you can ask the healthcare provider before entrusting the job to him, about their experience in this kind of procedure as well as the number of times they have done it before, the kind of complications they have had to face, and their overall success rate. Take a look at before and after photographs of their previous patients of your selected procedure to ensure that you are satisfied and approve of the results.
To sum up, it is important to communicate your concerns and questions to your plastic surgeon before opting for any procedure. If you do not understand your doctor’s responses, ask questions until you do.
