Q:
Am I in good physical and mental condition?
A:
This is extremely important for both you and your doctor.
If you haven't had a recent physical, it would be a good idea
to get one. Do not keep pertinent physical and mental information
from your plastic surgeon. Honesty is definitely the best
policy when speaking with your doctor because it could ultimately
affect your end result. Make sure the reasons behind your
decision for cosmetic surgery is simply to improve your appearance
and boost your self confidence. Do not expect that the surgery
will get you the love of your life, the job you always wanted
or make you feel better over the loss of a loved one. The
reasons should be strictly cosmetic.
Q:
Is the doctor on staff of any local hospitals that recognize
their credentials?
A:
It
is important that the doctor you are seeing is on staff at
two or more hospitals with privileges to perform the procedures
at the hospital that he might perform at his office.
Q: Fees:
Are they negotiable?
A: Fees
vary depending upon the procedure contemplated, the area of
the country and market place, particularly as it relates to
a specific surgeon's practice. Some doctors through good P.R.
or time in the community clearly have more patients then they
can operate on so therefore they raise their fees because the
market place will allow it. "Do not think however, that just
because a doctor charges more for a procedure, that he is necessarily
the better doctor, it is more an indication of his notoriety
then his expertise". At the same time one should be wary of
the physician whose fees are significantly lower than the market.
He may be doing this because he has just learned the procedure
and wishes to gain greater experience or he lacks some of the
training or certification mentioned previously and is thereby
using lower fees to attract patients.
Q: The
anesthesiologist: what you should know and expect.
A: The
anesthesiologist's qualifications have been closely scrutinized
by the doctor. The doctor has checked into the anesthesiologist
qualifications, competency and experience. Obviously, the doctor
wants an anesthesiologist that can keep his patients comfortable
so they find the surgery an enjoyable experience.
There are basically three types of anesthesia
available:
- Straight local. The doctor injects medication into the area that he plans to operate on and this medication contains something in it to both numb the area and to shrink the blood vessels.
- Local with sedation. An IV sedation is started prior to surgery and through that IV sedation, medication is given prior to injecting the local. This helps decrease any pain associated with local sedation.
- General anesthesia. The patient is brought to the operating room and an IV is started and the patient goes to sleep. While asleep a local anesthesia may or may not be used. This last technique with general anesthesia is the most popular because the patient is totally unaware of what is going on and feels absolutely no pain during the procedure.
Q:
After the decisions been made, what next?
A: The scheduling of your
surgery should be done. When scheduling your surgery, it is
best to be the doctor's first or second patient of the day.
In the morning the doctor is rested. If his schedule is very
full, he may be tired or fatigued later on. Second, if there
is any type of complication, it usually occurs within the first
eight hours and is much easier to deal with then in the middle
of the night. Finally, for most surgical procedures, you are
not allowed anything by mouth after midnight and waiting for
surgery on an empty stomach can make you both anxious and physically
uncomfortable. Just remember, it is natural to be nervous prior
to surgery. Try to focus on the end results.
Before scheduling your surgery, make sure the doctor is not
planning any vacations around the time of your surgery. You
want your doctor available to you certainly within the first
seven days following any procedure. Granted, physicians need
their vacations but that does not mean you need to plan your
surgery at that time. On the same note, do not plan your surgery
around important events or vacations, just in case there is
a delay in your healing process. The office will schedule your
preoperative blood work and EKG depending upon the patients
age. This is usually done a week before surgery. This is a standard
medical procedure with any type of surgery. You will be given
dietary guidelines to follow as well.
Payment requirements will be handled at this time. All monies
need to be paid prior to cosmetic surgery.
Q: The
day of surgery: what do I need?
A: On
the day of surgery, prior to leaving for the hospital or surgical
center, make sure that your refrigerator is filled with those
things that you will need following surgery. If possible have
all medications purchased ahead of time. Ice Packs and bed elevation
should be prepared so that when you return home you can go immediately
to bed without difficulty. The office will assist you in what
type of clothing to wear prior to surgery to make it easier
for you. Leave all jewelry and personal belongings at home.
If you live further than an hour from the surgical center, there
are local recovery centers or hotels near the doctor's office.
They frequently will provide transportation to and from the
doctor's office. It is much more comfortable than a long car
ride from home to see your doctor.
I want to stress that complications are very rare but can occur
when you are dealing with mother nature. So prepare for the
unforseen, and should it occur, you will be ready following
surgery.
For
more information on Breast Enhancement, visit Dr. Corbin's
other web site www.thebreastexpert.com.
For
more information on Rhinoplasty or nose surgery, visit Dr.
Corbin's other web site www.noseexpert.com.
For
more information on weight loss surgery, visit Dr. Corbin's
web site www.cosmeticsurgeryafterweightloss.com.
For
more information on Gynecomastia or chest surgery, visit Dr.
Corbin's web site www.gynecomastiaexpert.com.
Click here to book your complimentary cosmetic consultation now!
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