What Can You Expect During a Consultation With a Plastic Surgeon?
I have been in practice for over 15 years. During that time, I never questioned what happens during a plastic surgery consultation. Like many of my patients, I go to the doctor, expect to be weighed, have my blood pressure taken, and be given an awful gown to wear. Then I undress and wait for the doctor.
Despite this knowledge, I know it can be an anxiety-provoking experience. I am a doctor, and I hate going to see the doctor – I hate waiting in the waiting room and I hate the unknown!
In this blog, I wanted to discuss what you can expect when you go see your plastic surgeon. I want to demystify what happens because I believe that if you know what is going to happen, it is less intimidating.
Once you decide to have plastic surgery, there will be multiple different encounters that you will have with my office, my staff, and myself.
Before Your Appointment
You will receive an email or an envelope via mail with your preoperative paperwork. If you complete it before your appointment and email or fax it back to our office, it helps your appointment stay on schedule. However, we also understand if you would rather complete your paperwork in our office. If you choose to do this, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment so that you can complete your paperwork.
During Your Appointment
After you check in, we will take you to an exam room or consult room and begin the consultation process. If you haven’t completed your paperwork, you will have the opportunity to do so while you wait.
You will have the opportunity to watch an informational video about the procedure or procedures that you are wanting to discuss. After watching the video, we will give you a gown so that you can undress. The gown will open in the front.
Meeting with Dr. Bajaj
When I meet you, I will ask you what your goals are, what kind of look you want, and also try to learn a little about you in addition to your medical history.
After our discussion, I will examine you. Part of the examination may involve taking measurements with a measuring tape, pinching your skin, asking you to look in the mirror, and asking you questions such as how you feel about the way things look. The measurements are necessary since they will help me determine the best surgical technique for you, particularly for breast surgery. Also, a frank discussion of existing asymmetries and expectations is important so that I can best meet your unique needs.
After meeting with me, one of my nurses will take photographs. The photographs are necessary because, in the world of plastic surgery, the preoperative and postoperative photographs are key to documenting the transformation process that occurs. Furthermore, if you are having a reconstructive procedure that may be covered by insurance, most insurance carriers will require photographic documentation in addition to any medical notes.
After Your Appointment
At the end of your visit, you will receive a quote (if cosmetic) regarding the cost of the procedure(s) that you are considering. If your procedure is a reconstructive procedure that is covered by insurance, we will provide you with information regarding the documentation necessary to obtain insurance coverage and the next steps.
Either myself or Lucinda, our scheduling coordinator, will follow up with you regarding additional questions or what is necessary to schedule surgery. I hope that now you know what to expect, the visit will be less daunting! Feel free to contact my office to schedule your visit. See you soon!