If you're considering plastic surgery, you've probably found the names of several plastic surgeons in your area—whether through referrals from your doctor, family and friends, or through online research.
Your next step is to schedule a personal consultation with the surgeons you are considering. This one-on-one meeting is an essential part of your decision to have plastic surgery. It's a good idea to write down your questions in advance to be sure you get the information you want. Be sure to take notes so you remember what the doctor tells you.
To get the most from your consultation,
be sure to ask these 10 questions
1. Are you board-certified in plastic surgery?
Dr. Allan Parungao is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, or ABPS. This is the only board authorized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to offer certification to plastic surgeons.
Many people don't realize that a doctor does not have to be board-certified to practice plastic surgery. And some plastic surgeons who claim to be board-certified may indeed be—but not in plastic surgery. A doctor might, for example, be board-certified in dermatology or obstetrics and gynecology.
To confirm whether a surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery, visit the ABPS web site at www.abplsurg.org or the ABMS web site at www.abms.org
2. How often do you perform the procedure I'm considering?
Find a plastic surgeon who specializes in the procedure you're considering. If you're interested in liposuction,
breast augmentation or a facelift. for example, it's best to find a plastic surgeon like Dr. Parungao who performs these procedures several times a week. The more times a surgeon performs a procedure, the more refined his or her skills become.
3. Do you consider me a good candidate for plastic surgery?
During your consultation, the plastic surgeon will evaluate your suitability for the plastic surgery you're considering.
Dr. Parungao will carefully consider factors such as:
- Your medical history and overall health—You need to be in good health to undergo surgery and the recovery process.
- Your goals and expectations for plastic surgery—A patient with realistic goals has the best chance for satisfaction.
- Other factors that may affect you after surgery—For example, if you plan to have more children, Dr. Parungao will likely advise you to postpone having a breast lift or tummy tuck.
4. Is the procedure I'm considering the best one to achieve the results I want?
Dr. Parungao may recommend a different procedure than the one you have in mind if he feels it is better suited to giving you the results you want. For example, if you're interested in having liposuction to flatten your lower abdomen, Dr. Parungao may recommend a tummy tuck instead.
Why? If you have poor skin elasticity or loose abdominal skin, liposuction could actually make that problem worse. By contrast, a tummy tuck would remove the excess loose skin and tighten your abdominal muscles to give you the smooth, flat tummy you desire.
5. May I see before-and-after pictures of your patients who have had the procedure I'm considering?
During your consultation, the plastic surgeon should show you before-and-after photos of his work. Dr. Parungao offers a wide array of before and after photos, both online and in his office.
Seeing a plastic surgeon's before-and-after pictures can help you get an idea of the surgeon's skills, as well as the results you can expect from your surgery.
6. Where do you perform the surgery I'm considering?
If your surgery will be done on an inpatient basis, be sure he or she has admitting privileges at an accredited hospital. Dr. Parungao is affiliated with Rush Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park, Ill., as well as Lincoln Park Hospital and Norwegian American Hospital in Chicago.
The accrediting organization for U.S. hospitals is the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (www.jointcommission.org).
If the procedure you're considering will be done on an outpatient basis, ask whether the surgical facility is state-licensed and accredited by a national or state-recognized accrediting agency. Dr. Parungao is affiliated with several accredited outpatient surgical facilities throughout the Chicago area.
The organizations that accredit outpatient surgical facilities are the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (www.aaaasf.org.) and the Accreditation Commission for Ambulatory Health Care (www.aaahc.org.)
7. What are the risks and possible complications of the surgery I'm considering?
You need all the facts before you go ahead with plastic surgery. Dr. Parungao will clearly explain the risks and possible complications of the surgery you are considering so you can make an informed decision.
8. Will insurance cover my surgery?
A rule of thumb is that insurance does not cover cosmetic plastic surgery—that is, surgery done on normal body structures strictly to improve your appearance. A facelift, for example, is not considered medically necessary.
Insurance will often cover reconstructive plastic surgery, which is done to correct abnormal body structures. For example, if you have had weight-loss surgery, insurance may cover a panniculectomy to remove the apron of loose skin and tissue hanging from the abdomen—which in some cases can weigh 100 pounds or more.
To qualify for insurance benefits, you will need to document that the procedure is medically necessary according to the insurance company's criteria. You will also need to get the insurance company's approval before having surgery.
What makes a procedure medically necessary? Each insurance company has its own criteria—check your policy for details. For example, many insurance companies will cover a panniculectomy if the apron of abdominal skin is causing recurrent skin ulcers or infections in the skin folds.
Dr. Parungao can advise you on whether the procedure you are considering may be covered by your insurance, and, if so, provide the documentation your insurance company will need before your surgery.
If the surgery you plan to have is considered a cosmetic procedure, Dr. Parungao's staff can advise you on financing options available
9. How long will my recovery period be?
It's important to know how long it should take you to recuperate after your surgery. Dr. Parungao will let you know how soon after surgery you'll be able to resume your normal activities. Knowing this, you can arrange your business and personal schedule to allow yourself the time you need to fully recover.
10. What happens if I'm not satisfied with the results?
When it comes to the human body, nothing is perfect. Before choosing a plastic surgeon, you need to know what he or she is willing to do if the outcome of your surgery is less than you reasonably expected.
Your satisfaction is paramount to Dr. Parungao. In the event you are less than satisfied with an aspect of your surgery, he will meet with you and recommend the best way to remedy the situation.
If, for example, a patient's scar is more prominent than it should be, he will revise the scar with no additional surgical fees. (The patient will, however, be responsible for the related fees for anesthesia and the surgical facility.)
If a plastic surgeon will not make accommodations for surgical outcomes that fall short of reasonable expectations, you probably want to find another surgeon.
Now, here are 5 questions for you
After your plastic surgery consultation, ask yourself:
1. Did the doctor really listen to me?
Did the surgeon take the time to ask you questions and understand your personal goals for plastic surgery? Do you feel you had the doctor's full attention—or did he or she seem hurried or distracted during your consultation?
2. Did the surgeon answer my questions to my satisfaction?
Did the doctor explain things to you in language you could understand, or was he or she speaking medical-ese?
3. Did the doctor give me a full explanation of the procedure I'm considering?
- The surgeon should have explained the procedure you have in mind and let you know whether you are a good candidate for that surgery.
- If the doctor doesn't consider you a good candidate, you should understand why—or whether another procedure would be more appropriate for you.
- The doctor should have explained what the procedure can and cannot do, the risks and possible complications involved, and how the procedure is performed.
- You also should know about any choices you will need to make before surgery—for example, the size of your breast implants, and whether you prefer silicone or saline
- You should understand what you can expect during recovery.
4. Was the surgeon's office staff friendly and efficient?
Did the doctor's office staff make you feel comfortable? Did the office seem well-organized?
5. Would I feel comfortable having this doctor operate on me?
This is the bottom line. After doing your homework on the doctor's credentials and experience, and meeting him or her face-to-face, ask yourself if you feel confident having him or her operate on you. If your answer is anything but a definite “yes,” you need to evaluate more surgeons.
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