Introduction: Scheduling Your First Consultation With Cosmetic Surgeon in Los Angeles, CA
Do you have certain aesthetic defects that stand out every time you look in the mirror?
Do you wish your nose was a tad smaller?
That your jaw was more contoured?
Is there more meat around your midsection than you’d prefer, and you wonder if a surgery like liposuction might be for you?
It sounds like you’re prepared to schedule your first cosmetic procedure!
Unlike plastic surgery, which is meant to correct things like birth defects, burns, and cleft palates, cosmetic surgery is aimed at improving your appearance through aesthetic means. This allows the cosmetic surgeon to make you look younger, more refreshed, and knock-out beautiful.
Before you pick up the phone and contact a cosmetic surgeon’s clinic or office, it pays to do your homework. Here are some tips to remember before you schedule your first cosmetic surgery. Doing so can ensure you have the best experience and achieve the most aesthetically pleasing results.
Research Your Procedure Ahead of Time
Depending on what you want to change about yourself, you likely have at least one procedure in mind.
Maybe you believe your crooked, misshapen, or oversized nose would benefit from rhinoplasty.
Stubborn pockets of fat can be eradicated with the help of liposuction or HD-lipo.
And then there is breast augmentation, breast lift, buttock enhancement, and arm lift. There’s even a scarless arm lift thanks to the amazing technology of Renuvion.
Use Google to learn more about the procedure in question and read from reputable sources like WebMD and Mayo Clinic. Seek out the benefits of each procedure, the risks, and the results you can expect. This can give you a general rundown of what you have to look forward to by following through with your plan to have cosmetic surgery. Your doctor will further explain the procedure and any other procedural options available to you during your initial consultation.
Write Down Questions You May Have
As you conduct your research, you are bound to have questions. Write these down so you can ask them of your doctor later. Examples include:
Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
Good candidates for cosmetic surgery are generally healthy, have good skin elasticity, and hold realistic expectations for the cosmetic procedure’s results.
What are the benefits and risks of the procedure?
Even though you may have come across the benefits and risks of the procedure during your initial research, it helps to ask this question of your surgeon. That’s because you are more likely to comprehend what the doctor tells you when you have a better understanding of the procedure and how it works.
During a consultation, you have a lot going on. You’re in a new environment, your doctor is a stranger who you’re meeting for the first time, and you may be anxious about undergoing surgery. Having a little compulsory knowledge can help to prepare you for the explanation in the doctor’s terms.
Asking this question also lets you develop realistic expectations compared to the results you may have read about online. Your doctor will tell it to you straight, informing you of the results you can expect.
As far as risks, all surgeries come with risks. But you can mitigate your risk by choosing an experienced cosmetic surgeon for your procedure. In Los Angeles, you can find the best cosmetic surgeon at Moein Surgical Arts, where Dr. Moein and staff can help you achieve your aesthetic ideal.
What type of anesthesia will be used?
Some cosmetic procedures are non-invasive and only require a local anesthetic to numb you. This means you’ll be awake the entire time. Others are more involved, such as liposuction, in which case IV sedation will be utilized to make you unconscious, meaning you won’t remember a thing. Then there is a type of anesthesia called twilight sedation, which will allow you to follow commands, but you also won’t recall the surgery or what happens during the procedure.
In case there are complications, what are your emergency procedures?
Your cosmetic surgeon will take every precaution to ensure risks to your health are kept to an absolute minimum. Your surgeon will always be prepared for complications, however, but the way your surgeon answers this question can help you feel more confident about signing up for the aesthetic procedure you hope to get.
Have you helped other patients with similar concerns?
The way your surgeon answers this question will also help you decide whether the surgeon is experienced in providing the surgery results you want. You can follow this question up by asking to see some before and after pictures and to read testimonials from patients just like you.
Are there payment options?
Fees for cosmetic procedures vary widely. You may pay a little over $4,000 for eyelid surgery while a facelift may set you back over twelve-thousand dollars. You can fund your cosmetic surgery in one of several ways. Health insurance is unlikely to cover the costs if your procedure is only cosmetic in nature. However, medical financing can help you pay for your surgery. Companies like CareCredit and Prosper Healthcare Lending can give you the funds you need to have surgery now while giving you the chance to pay the bill off later.
Schedule a Consultation
Once you’ve done your homework and written down a list of questions, it’s time to meet with your cosmetic surgeon. When scheduling, you’ll want to mention any surgeries you have in mind. The person answering the phone may ask you a series of questions to get a better idea of who you are and why you’re calling. At Moein Surgical Arts, we offer telehealth consultations for your convenience. This lets you meet with your doctor virtually anywhere you happen to be using a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Wear Comfortable Clothing to Your In-Person Appointment
Eventually, you will meet face-to-face with your cosmetic surgeon. During this meeting, the doctor will want to perform a physical examination. If you have a body surgery in mind, such as a breast augmentation or tummy tuck, be sure and wear comfortable clothes that allow the doctor access to the treatment sites.
The purpose of a physical exam is to qualify you as a viable candidate for the cosmetic procedure in question. Of course, there’s always a chance the doctor may recommend a different surgery based on the physical exam and doctor’s findings. These alternative surgeries will be discussed with you thoroughly throughout the consultation appointment. The idea is to give you all the options you need to make the best decision for the results you want.
Be Ready to Hand Over Your Medical History
During an in-person meeting, the cosmetic surgeon is going to ask about the current status of your health. The doctor wants to know how you are feeling and if you currently suffer from any chronic conditions. You may also be asked about conditions that run in the family, illnesses you may have had in the past, surgeries you’ve undergone, and anything else pertinent to your medical history. Have this information in hand and ready to go by the day of your appointment to save valuable time.
Have a List of Medications and Supplements Handy
Be honest and tell your cosmetic surgeon about all the medications and supplements you are taking. This question is asked for your safety as some medicines and even natural supplements can cause complications during surgery. They may interfere with anesthesia, for example, placing risk on your health. You may be asked to avoid taking some medications and supplements in the days or weeks prior to undergoing cosmetic surgery.
Be Hyper Vigilant When Arriving for Your Consultation
From the moment you pull into the parking lot of the cosmetic surgeon’s office, start paying attention to your surroundings. Here are some pointers for areas where you might want to direct your attention.
Gauge the Facility, Doctor & Staff
When you walk into the office, what does the ambiance feel like? How is the décor? Does the staff seem organized? Are you greeted with a courteous smile and helped with all that you need? Are you made to wait a long time? And finally, when meeting with the doctor, do you feel comfortable and like you are a priority? You can learn a lot about the facility, doctor, and staff merely by paying attention as you are guided to the waiting room and into the doctor’s office.
Does Your Doctor Make You Feel Welcome?
When meeting with the doctor over a mobile device or during an in-person meeting, do you feel a certain level of rapport? Most of all, do you feel comfortable and like you are in the best of hands? These feelings are important for letting you know you’re in exactly the right place to have your cosmetic procedure.
Does the Surgeon Understand Your Expectations?
It is very important that you and your surgeon are on the same page regarding the results you expect. If possible, bring photographs to your doctor so that you can both envision the aesthetic changes you desire. While your doctor may not be able to match photos exactly, at the very least you’ll be able to convey the results you envision. Your doctor, in turn, can let you know if your vision matches what reality can deliver. Cosmetic surgery is not miracle work. Your doctor can only do so much. However, many cosmetic procedures deliver very natural-looking results, especially in the hands of a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon.
Preparing for Your Surgery
By this point, you should know enough to know that surgery is not for you, or you might be ready to schedule your procedure in the near future. Here are ways to prepare to ensure few complications as you progress through surgery and beyond.
Get a Designated Driver
You might be groggy as you come out of anesthesia following your surgery. For that reason, plan to bring someone with you to the appointment who can then drive you home afterward. If you live alone, you might want to have that person stay with you the first night so that you have all your needs tended to as you recover at home.
Plan Your Recovery Space
If the cosmetic surgery requires bed rest, do some prep work around the house beforehand. Have the fridge stocked with ready-to-eat meals or protein shakes, have lots of water on hand, and have your bed fitted with all the amenities you need, from the remote control to good books to read, crosswords, or anything else you’re into.
Request Time Off from Work
It’s a common mistake to schedule a cosmetic procedure during a pre-planned time away from work, such as on spring break. However, keep in mind that you will need some recovery time afterward. For this reason, it’s best to speak with your employer about the surgery and any downtime you may need so that you can plan accordingly.
Arrange Childcare
During your recovery time, you may not be able to look after young children as you could normally. For this reason, you may want to arrange daycare or a babysitter who can watch over the kids while you heal.
Stop Smoking!
Your cosmetic surgeon is going to ask if you smoke at some point. It’s best to tell the truth and to commit to quitting in the weeks before surgery. This is due to the fact that cigarette smoking can hinder your ability to heal after surgery. The results of the procedure may be skewed and you could develop complications. It’s best to toss the habit, at least until you’re all healed up.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
Your cosmetic surgeon will give you explicit instructions on how to heal and recover on your own at home. Follow this list carefully if you hope to avoid problems and achieve the best results from the surgery you just had. You may receive instructions in proper wound care, when to contact the surgeon if complications manifest, and when to begin moving around after your initial bed rest. You’ll also receive advice on when it’s acceptable to return to your usual routine, which could be in a couple of days or weeks, depending on the invasiveness of the procedure in question.
In Closing
You have much to consider when scheduling your first cosmetic surgery. From the moment you first pick up the phone to the point where you arrive on property and meet with the surgeon, you now have a list of tasks to follow. One thing we didn’t mention is that this is the time to be excited. You can finally have that insecurity corrected that causes you so much distress. Or maybe you want your pre-pregnancy body back with a mommy makeover (or to get rid of your dad bod with a daddy makeover). Which cosmetic surgery is right for you?
To find out, contact Moein Surgical Arts, where esteemed Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon Dr. Babak Moein can help you achieve your aesthetic ideal. Call today in Los Angeles, Encino, or Glendale, California, and don’t forget to ask about our monthly specials – (310)694-4486.