subject: What Should I Ask At My Liposuction Consultation? [print this page] So you've decided you want to take the plunge and get liposuction. You've even called around a bit, and you've discovered that virtually all plastic surgeons offer free consultations to prospective clients, where they promise to answer all your questions.
Your problem now is that you don't really know all that much about liposuction, and although you're sure there are questions you ought to be asking, you don't know what they are.
The checklist below can help you stay focused and ask the right questions to find the most qualified doctor for your surgery.
--Ask about the doctor's qualifications. Are they Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? What other certifications or degrees do they have? How many years have they been practicing?
--Ask about the doctor's level of experience with your specific procedure. How many years have they been practicing? How many times in the past year did they perform liposuction on the area you want them to treat? Can you see some before and after photos of previous patients who underwent the same procedure?
--Ask which specific liposuction technique will be used (they're not all the same). What is the success rate of this technique? Why does the doctor use it? How does it work? What are the risks?
--Ask about the hospital or clinic where the surgery will be performed. Do you have a choice of more than one hospital? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Will they accept your insurance, if applicable?
--Ask about the anesthesia. Will it be local or general? How will it interact with any other medications you are taking? Who will be administering the anesthesia? What are the credentials of this person?
--Ask about the recovery time and post-op care. How will you feel after the procedure? How long will it be before you can go home? Will you need to arrange for a ride? Will you need to wear a compression garment (and if so, where can you get one?) What kind of pain medications will you need? Will you need someone to help you in the home after the procedure? When will you be able to go back to work? Who can you contact in case of an emergency?
--Ask about the cost. How much will your surgery be? Does the surgeon accept your insurance, if your insurance is going to cover all or part of the procedure? What are your payment options? Do they offer financing? What are the terms? Does the cost cover surgical facility fees, anesthesia fees, and compression garments (if necessary)? Are there additional fees for follow-up visits? By when do you need to have a deposit? When is the total due? What is the cancellation policy? What if you don't like your results?
Finally, remember not to commit to anything at the consultation. Give yourself some time at home to digest the information you've just received, and to compare it with any other consultations you've had. You may also want to do a google search on your surgeon, or contact your state's medical licensing board and ask if any complaints have been registered, and if the surgeon is in good standing.
