My Perspective
Plastic surgery is a relatively unique field insofar as urgent issues are concerned. While time-sensitive problems do arise, they fortunately remain less common than in other surgical subspecialties. Part of this is due to the fact that for the vast majority of situations the decision to undergo plastic surgery is a choice. This means that patients have time to do their homework, research different techniques, and find the doctor that best suits their individual needs and desires. In other words, choosing the right doctor is of paramount importance. Whether you are contemplating plastic surgery for the very first time or unsatisfied with results from prior operations, this process may even require seeking multiple opinions.
Surgery of almost any kind is a significant investment in time and emotion, and in certain cases, requires some type of financial commitment. Patients will also spend more time with their surgeon than is immediately evident—during the initial consultation and any additional pre-operative visits, on the day of surgery, and throughout the post-operative recovery period. When consulting with a surgeon it is important to ask questions and equally important to pay attention to how clearly and thoroughly your questions are answered. It is also worthwhile to ask about the team (anesthesiologists and nursing staff, among others) who will attend to you on the day of your procedure.
You should not feel rushed during an appointment or find yourself under the impression that the surgeon seems annoyed or angry when asked about the plan. You may also find it helpful to schedule a second visit before heading to surgery should further questions remain or if anything seems unclear. It is equally necessary to consider how accessible your surgeon is, should any concerns arise before or after surgery. Can you simply call the office, or do you have to go through an automated answering system, multiple administrative assistants in the department, or a covering resident physician to deliver the message to your surgeon the following morning? These early interactions and level of attentiveness may mirror how future interactions could go as you progress through the healing process.
One hallmark of excellent plastic surgery is that it may not be immediately obvious to family, friends, and even complete strangers that the person in question actually underwent surgery. Rather, people might simply notice that you appear refreshed and youthful, more attractive or different in some positive way, but still look just like yourself. Taking the time to learn about, inquire, and explore your options when choosing your doctor ensures that you will feel comfortable and confident in your decision. In plastic surgery, quality must always trump both speed and quantity. Furthermore, few joys exist greater than witnessing and sharing in the happiness of a patient that experiences a successful outcome. My lifelong goal is to help my patients navigate this occasionally overwhelming process, and to the best of my ability, safely deliver natural results that allow them to walk through this world with a head held high and a smile on their face.