Your Consultation Appointment

Arrive at your consultation on time, although be prepared for them to be running a little late. Some offices may run a little late for consultations unless someone cancels ahead of you that day. However, not all offices will run late. Just be prepared for it. You will bring with you your folder of questions, photos, and anything else you can think of.

You will meet with the surgeon (at least you should -- I have heard where you don't even meet the surgeon until the day of surgery and I find this poor practice). You will interview him as though your life depending upon it because it does if you have surgery. You will address all your questions, concerns, fears expectations, etc. You will discuss your medical history, your technique options, anesthesia, incision placements and more. Anything that you wish you should discuss during this time.

You will discuss risks at length, you may be given an informed consent sheet regarding these risks and product or procedure info. You will also discuss the anesthesia risks. Just make sure that the surgeon does address the risks. This isn't a fail proof surgery, this is flesh and blood -- your flesh and blood.

Ask to see the surgeon's before and after photo albums or discs. Ask if you may speak to any of his patients which may be listed on a referral sheet. You may also request to tour the facilities if your surgery will be performed on site.

You may receive literature regarding the surgeon's education, training and publications (curriculum vitae) or any other pertinent information. You may even discuss costs and fees with either the surgeon during your meeting or with a financial planner towards the end of the consultation.

You should go away with enough to go on and request a second meeting if need be, should you feel that more could have been covered. You will notice that intuitions will kick in about judgment of character, trust and faith in one's abilities. This is important so listen to any instinct triggers which may become apparent during the meeting.

If you are getting an Injectable that requires an allergy test you may have it during this meeting. If this is the case you will have a little bit injected into the crook of your arm and be instructed to watch it closely for several weeks. Please report any signs of inflammation to your surgeon.

You may or may not schedule a surgery date at the end of this consultation -- you are by no means obligated but this is generally the next step. If you should choose to schedule a surgery with a particular office you will usually give a deposit to hold your date. You will also make a preoperative appointment for lab work, preparation, medications, etc. etc. After your preoperative appt. Your surgery should take place with in 2 weeks of the last meeting and lab work.