Q – What Questions Should I Ask During a Plastic Surgery Consultation?

The following is a list of questions for Plastic Surgery PS consultations. Thank you to Shari, Lisa E. and Erin for most of them.

Experience:

- Experience with patients who have lost a lot of weight or post-WLS?

- What procedure/s would be be suggested, and why?

- What would the trade offs be?

- If multiple procedures are suggested, what would be the priority, and what combinations or sequence would be suggested?

- What size breasts? Based on what?

- Pre-op mammogram?

- Could I see before and after portfolio, and what results would mine most likely resemble?

Expectations:

- What can I expect for final results?

- How long before I see final results?

- What scarring can I expect, from where to where?

- Explain and draw out exactly what is being cut.

- Anchor cut or hip-to-hip cut (why?)

- What degree of muscle work will there be?

- What are possible complications?

- How long will I be under anaesthetic?

- How long will I be in hospital?

- How long until I can travel home?

- How long should I book off work?

- What kind of help will I need during my recovery?

- What pain medications will be suggested/prescribed?

- How long and what exercises can I start doing and when?

- After care, short and long term. Length of stay in hospital, in a hotel, at home with or without nursing care. What do other out-of-town patients do?

- Are there any follow up resources such as a home health nurse?

- Hospital or private clinic? Which procedures?

Time frame and expense:

- Once I agree to go ahead, what is the waiting time?

- All costs and what is included or when can I expect a written estimate?

- Costs if a revision was necessary?

- Can anything be covered by MSP?

- Will the estimate cover all costs, or should I budget for other expenses? Lodging for outpatient period, supportive garments, prescriptions etc.

- What is “skin loss”? It is a possible complication listed in the brochures that I do not understand.