6 Things you should ask your doctor before plastic surgery: procedures, safety, side effects, and benefits

Before plastic surgery, there are many things to consider. You are advised to know as much information as possible about the surgical procedure, what things must be prepared, and the various risks that may occur from mild to serious. You can't guess or just find out online. We recommend that you go directly to the doctor and consult first to answer the things you want to know.

There are several things that are mandatory and important to know from doctors. Well, this is a list of the main questions that you should check with a specialist before making a plastic surgery decision. Check out what the questions are below.

What to ask the doctor before plastic surgery

1. Track record of doctor's experience

Before plastic surgery, it's a good idea to choose doctors who are most superior in their fields. First, you can ask for a plastic surgery certificate that he has. Then, basically you have to know what surgery and what surgeon is needed first.

For example, reconstruction specialists usually handle cases such as burns, injuries from accidents, congenital defects, or birth defects. While cosmetic surgery is usually for aesthetic type of surgery.

Meanwhile, the doctor's reputation and certificate must be known to prevent you from becoming a victim of malpractice. Don't forget to also ask how many operations the doctor has handled. This is useful to assure you that the doctor is an expert and is trusted in his field.

2. Where and how the surgical procedure is performed

Generally, several surgical procedures are performed. Additionally, you may be allowed to go on an outpatient basis after the surgery. You may also need to be fully hospitalized. Usually the doctor will consider several factors such as your age, health, and the distance from your home to the surgery site.

However, for hospitalization as a whole it will usually cost more than outpatient care. Well, this is what must be considered. Don't forget to think about health risk factors during and after surgery.

3. Know what type of anesthesia the doctor will use

At this stage of the consultation, it is important for you to ask what type of anesthesia will be used for the operation later. The following is an example of anesthetic that will be explained before plastic surgery is performed.

• General anesthesia. Done to suppress the central nervous system which makes you unconscious during the operation. This anesthetic is generally injected into the body, or through gas that is inserted in the respiratory tract.
• Regional anesthesia. This anesthetic is injected around the central nerve to relieve feeling in certain areas of the body. Whereas in other parts of the body you will remain conscious. There are still two types of anesthesia of this type, namely spinal anesthesia that is injected into the patient's spine and epidural anesthesia.
• Local anesthesia. Injected into certain body parts. Its function is to eliminate the sensation in the part that wants to be operated on. Generally, the patient will remain conscious after being sedated under local anesthesia.

4. How big is the risk of the operation that you will have?

Every operation has its own risks. Before plastic surgery, it's a good idea to ask your doctor what risks might occur. The risks from surgery are serious, usually related to blood loss, infection, or an overreaction to general anesthesia. Although rare, the aftermath can lead to death.

Some types of procedures are more dangerous than others, although recent advances continue to make complications less likely. Since plastic surgery is an option, surgeons will usually refuse to operate on any patient who feels the risks are too great. Because of this, serious complications with plastic surgery are actually quite rare.

You can also ask how many serious complications related to plastic surgery you are going to undergo, even though this is actually prohibited. However, your surgeon should be willing to provide this information so that you feel comfortable making the most appropriate choices for your own health and safety.

5. See photos before-after other patients your doctor has had surgery

Usually, professional doctors will show them “before-after” photos of patients they work with for their promotional materials, or they can be illustrated.

Ask your doctor to show you the results of the patients he has treated. Generally, these photos are only permitted for use by surgeons who have completed the specific plastic surgery certification holder training requirements.

6. What is the breakdown of the total cost?

After you are determined and sure of choosing the surgeon you want, now is the time for you to know the cost of plastic surgery to be performed. The reason is, some people do not realize that there will be more costs in addition to the core costs.

For example, there are anesthesia costs, operating room costs, laboratory costs, and a number of other costs that can affect the budget. Ask for written details along with the total cost of the operation, also make sure that this operation includes any health insurance you have.