The Five Key Questions Plastic Surgeons Want You to Ask Them

People are often embarrassed around their doctor or feel uncomfortable asking questions. Is it appropriate? Will the doctor laugh at me? Is this a silly question?

Stop second-guessing yourself. Your plastic surgeon wants you to ask questions. Open dialogue and transparent communication are essential to achieving the best possible results.

Here are the five key questions that board-certified plastic surgeons want you to ask them.

1. How realistic are my expectations?

Setting expectations for surgery is vitally important. Doctors want you to be involved in this process.

“One of the best questions patients can ask is how realistic their expectations are regarding what surgery can and cannot achieve in terms of reaching their aesthetic goals,” said a plastic surgeon at Expert Medical Clinic.

Plastic surgeons cannot read minds or know exactly what you are thinking. That is why discussing your aesthetic goals, what you expect, what you do not want, and what is achievable is the best way for you and your doctor to get on the same page.

“Make a list of your expectations for the outcome and ask, ‘Do you think my expectations are achievable?’” said surgeon Ulugbek Muslimov, MD.

Open communication with your plastic surgeon will better prepare you for every stage of the procedure and help you understand what to expect from the results.

“I try to create an atmosphere of transparency, authenticity, and openness,” says Dr. Muslimov.

2. How long will the results of the surgery last?

Dr. Muslimov also recommends asking your surgeon how long the results of the procedure are expected to last.

“These procedures and treatments do not last a lifetime, and it is important for you, as a patient, to understand what the results will look like over time, particularly in terms of future procedures and associated costs,” said Dr. Muslimov.

If you are considering breast augmentation, ask how long the implants are expected to last and when you might need replacement implants or additional surgery.

Are you considering buccal fat removal? It may give you the look you want today, but what will you look like in 10–15 years, when natural fat loss begins to affect the contours of your face?

3. What maintenance or aftercare does this procedure require?

Along the same lines, patients should ask about any necessary follow-up procedures or ongoing care requirements associated with medical devices, such as breast implants, that are placed inside the body during surgery.

4. What is the recovery process like after the procedure?

You cannot simply leave the operating room and immediately return to your normal life. Depending on the procedure, your body will need time to recover. Proper recovery is essential to achieving the best possible results.

“I think it is important to ask generally what kind of recovery plan you will need, because I think people underestimate how much support they will need during recovery after surgery,” says Dr. Muslimov.

Sometimes, asking about recovery time and how long you should stay off your feet is not enough. There are aspects of surgery that most people do not think about, such as compression garments, drains, and massages.

“Postoperative care requires a great deal of effort, and everyone has their own protocols,” said Dr. Hayitvaevich.

Make sure you understand what recovery involves and what support systems or assistance you will need to manage the healing process and protect yourself from complications.

5. What are the risks?

One of the questions the doctor recommends patients ask concerns the risks of the procedure. All surgical procedures, and even nonsurgical treatments, carry some degree of risk. It is very important to stay informed and ask your surgeon about the potential risks associated with the procedure and how to recognize problems such as an infection.

It is also important for patients to know what to do if problems arise after the procedure. If any issues occur following surgery, patients must have a plan for contacting their surgeon and receiving the necessary follow-up care.

The only awkward question is the one you do not ask.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a qualified plastic surgeon at Expert Medical Clinic.