Before any plastic surgery procedure, it’s perfectly natural to have many questions. During your consultations with your doctor, all your questions should be answered. Any question is fair game, but be sure to ask your doctor these three before moving forward with your cosmetic procedure:
What type of anesthesia will I receive, and who will provide it?
Asking this question will help you understand more about how the procedure will be performed, and, by easing your mind, will put you in the right frame of mind for undergoing the procedure.
Different cosmetic procedures require different anesthesia, and even for the same procedure,different doctors may differ in their preferred anesthesia. The needs of the individual patient can also determine what type of anesthesia will be used.
Local anesthesia and general anesthesia are both statistically very safe. Local anesthesia offers a shorter initial recovery, but general anesthesia is usually necessary for more complex procedures.
In addition to the type of anesthesia you’ll be under, you should find out who will be administering your anesthesia. This person should be a board certified physician, anesthesiologist, or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
What will the recovery period be like?
Before you jump into the procedure, you need to have a good idea of what will happen after it.
Based on the feedback you receive from your doctor, you may decide to go through with the procedure or delay it until a time when you’ll be better suited to have a successful recovery.
One of the most important things to find out is how long you’ll have to be away from your normal everyday activities, such as school, work, childcare, etc. You should also discuss the specific restrictions of your recovery—for example, will there be any restrictions on lifting heavy items or types of clothing you can initially wear?
If you feel like you’re not ready for the recovery your doctor is describing, you can always discuss options for a less invasive procedure. This may allow you to attain some of the results you desire with a shorter and less-demanding recovery period.
What is the total cost of my procedure?
The cost of your surgical procedure will include not only the doctor’s fees, but also operating room fees, materials (such as implants), cost of anesthesia, and other costs. Be sure you have a comprehensive list of all costs before you sign up to go through with the procedure.
To the costs, you may want to add any time you’ll have to miss at work due to the recovery period or any materials you’ll need for the recovery. While you may not be paying for them directly, these aspects are still going to affect you financially, so they’re worth considering.
We should mention here—watch out for any deal that looks too good. While no one likes to spend extra money, the quality of your surgeon is the most important thing, not the savings you may get with a subpar doctor and a procedure of questionable quality.
Have a question about your upcoming procedure? We’re here to answer all your questions! Contact us today!
