When it comes to booking a procedure in with a cosmetic surgery in London, there are certain things that you need to do to ensure that you are getting the best experience possible. Your pre-surgery consultation with a cosmetic surgeon is an essential part of that process.
Here are four critical things you should be asking before committing to any kind of procedure.
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Cosmetic surgeries are complicated. The slightest mistake made by an untrained doctor can be life-threatening. A wrong procedure can lead to more than just a slightly botched job.
This is why it is so crucial for you to ask your prospective surgeon about their certifications before booking your appointment. It doesn’t matter how rude or offensive you think the question is. Knowing more about your surgeon is the only way to ensure your safety.
Upon asking, your surgeon should be able to provide you with a certificate that proves they are qualified to perform cosmetic surgeries in the UK legally. A surgeon who is authorised to perform surgeries in the UK will have completed a recognised training programme in cosmetic surgery and will be able to perform surgeries in an accredited hospital or clinic.
They might be able to provide you with a copy of their GMC registration certificate, confirming that they are licensed to practise medicine in the UK. Ideally, you might want to go for surgeons affiliated with the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and are members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
These organisations require surgeons to meet high standards in training and practice to obtain their licence, making them extremely safe to work with.
Do you have experience with similar cases? Can I see the before and after photographs?
Safety is the top priority in cosmetic surgeries. That’s why your surgeon needs to have a lot of experience to diagnose your condition with accuracy.
But the problem is that most cosmetic surgeons don’t specialise in just one thing. They usually have several specialities. For instance, a surgeon who specialises in facelifts may also have some experience with breast and other body contouring. A surgeon who specialises in breast augmentation may also have some experience with nose jobs, liposuction, and different kinds of surgery.
Such a surgeon may not be able to give you the specialised care that you deserve. But it doesn’t hurt to confirm. So, ask your surgeon if they have dealt with cases similar to yours previously. If they say yes, ask them to show you pictures of the procedure before and after.
In most cases, genuine surgeons won’t shy away from showing proof. If anything, they will show it to you before you even ask for it, simply to give you some context or point of reference for the results they expect from your case.
What will my recovery be like?
The surgery itself isn’t painful, but recovery can bring some discomfort, depending on several factors, mainly how well the procedure was performed and your body’s natural ability to heal.
Since recovery can’t be rushed, you need to have a fair idea about what to expect post-surgery to be prepared for what’s to come. For instance, a butt-lift won’t allow you to sit for a few weeks because you need to give it time to heal, while liposuction will require you to perform some kind of exercise to get your normal mobility back.
Remember that every surgeon is a little bit different, and every procedure is a little different. There are no universal rules except for when it comes to your safety. So, you have just got to ask, and a good surgeon will freely discuss their ideas and plans with you. If they won’t discuss the details of your recovery or refuse to talk about it at all, that’s a bad sign.
No surgery will leave you feeling like you are in great shape. Mainly because it is impossible to feel ace when you have just been cut and sewn up. It will take some time, typically a couple of days to a week, for you to feel normal again because that’s how long it will take for your body to start the healing process.
And you will have to support your body throughout the process by eating well and following the routine recommended by your surgeon. So, if a surgeon tells you that recovery will be quick and painless, that’s a red flag.
What will be the total cost of my surgery?
The cost of your procedure will vary from surgeon to surgeon. Generally, an experienced and more skilled surgeon will charge you a premium, while those who aren’t authorised to perform the procedures may do it for a fraction of the cost.
Before you get on that operating table, make sure you know exactly how much you should be looking to shell out. If you are given an estimate, that’s not a good sign. Surgeries are expensive, and you need to be familiar with the exact amount that you should be prepared with before signing any paper.
Make sure that your surgeon makes it a point to familiarise you with the fee during the consultation session. They should be willing to help you with financing options and their preferred payment modes to avoid confusion later.
Finally, your surgeon should also be willing to clear any doubts that you might have about the payment structure before concluding the consultation and must ensure you leave their office more informed than before.
For example, at the experienced cosmetic surgery in London Centre for Surgery, all consultations are performed by doctors. No helpdesk, no nurses, and no middlemen, so you always get the correct information related to your procedure from a reliable source.
This is the kind of service and treatment you should expect from your surgery for a smooth and comprehensive package that includes all relevant information relating to the periods before and after your procedure.
