If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, a consultation is your first step. It helps you navigate misinformation and myths with expert guidance. In that case, visiting a Plastic Surgery Consultant may be a good idea to fill you in on all the details and present you with all the information you need to know without the need to navigate through misinformation, common misconceptions, and myths that are circulating around.

Consultation is essential to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary costs or confusion. What you will learn from your consultant depends largely on how engaged and informed you are during the consultation session. The last thing you’d want is to waste money on a 5-minute conversation.

Here is what you need to know when preparing for your first cosmetic surgery consultation.

Before the consultation

• The surgeon's credentials.

Before calling your nearest plastic surgery clinic for an appointment, make sure to do some research to know you are choosing the right place. Be sure to know the credentials of the surgeon you chose, know their educational and professional background, look their clinic up online, read reviews, and ask for opinions from people around you. This way you know the surgeon who will be operating on you is a trusted and credible individual.

• Learn about the potential side effects and typical recovery timelines.

If you are considering surgical options, make sure you understand the weight of the procedure you chose. Know what it entails both on your side as a patient and from your doctor when operating on you. Take a look online at what solutions could apply to you and weigh the pros and cons of undergoing surgery before making a decision.

• Gathering your medical history.

Your health plays a big role in whether or not you are a suitable candidate for most cosmetic procedures. Prepare yourself to answer questions regarding your body, weight, chronic diseases you may have, family history, past procedures done, if you are taking any medications, and if you have any allergies as well as the possibility of taking photos of the area you are consulting about. This information will all be compiled into a medical file for your doctor to overview and discuss during your consultation.

During the consultation

• Questions to ask

When you go inside the consultation room, avoid being a situation where you are lost and don’t know what to request from your doctor. It’s advised to have a list of questions you’d like answers to. Ask the consultant to explain all you need to know if you are unprepared and pay close attention so that you can ask questions while they are explaining.

Example questions you may want to ask:

1- What are the risks associated with this procedure?

2- How experienced are you with this particular surgery?

3- What are the alternatives to surgery?

• Understanding risks, recovery, and costs.

Everyone’s body is different and yours may react differently to external circumstances. Before ending the consultation, you should know the entire process of surgery, the end results, what could go wrong, and the healing process starting day one, until 1 year in advance.

Common downtime restrictions:

1- Exercise

2- Heat exposure

3- Water and soap use

4- Applied pressure

Keep in mind that when undergoing cosmetic surgery, there will be different methods to treat relatively the same symptoms, ask your doctor why they chose a specific procedure/technique for your case as it may affect the cost of your procedure.

• Setting clear expectations for the consultation.

Your surgeon will read your file and take a look at your photos to asses them and create a treatment plan for you based on their expertise. Be prepared for a full critical assessment of your body as well as the possibility of your case not being in the ideal candidate category therefore your surgeon may recommend different treatments than the one you have asked for.

It is important to have realistic expectations when seeking cosmetic procedures and surgeries as they are purely cosmetic and not meant to treat certain conditions.

After the consultation

• Tips for making a decision.

When you leave the clinic, you should have information regarding your condition, its best solution and ideal procedure, the price of the procedure, and what to expect for the 6-12 months after undergoing the procedure. It’s advised to take time to think thoroughly before making a decision.

Take these points into consideration before making a decision:

1- Consider the percentage of improvement expected.

2- Evaluate if you can manage downtime.

3- Review the procedure's cost and your budget.

4- The amount of rest time you can have (work, children, commitments, etc)

• Following up

If you need additional help to reach a decision, always feel free to contact your clinic to ask questions or request a follow-up consultation with your doctor to clear any remaining doubt.

If you are considering booking an appointment for a cosmetic consultation, book your appointment with a recognized and well-known doctor to ensure you will receive premium care under a certified team in a well-established clinic. Ensure the clinic offers aftercare services or has a well-equipped facility and if not, they can refer you to a trusted clinic or colleague. Plan your finances carefully to ensure the procedure fits your budget for cosmetic procedures as they are optional, not mandatory.

Looking for a well-established Plastic Surgeon and Consultant in the GCC?

Book your first consultation with Dr. Abeer Alkobaisi, a plastic surgeon with over 15+ years of experience in the field. Her clinic provides services ranging from plastic surgeries, injectables, face and body non-surgical procedures, and a dip into personalized healthcare using IV Therapy!

Contact Dr. Abeer Alkobaisi Clinic Now!

+973 3888 8204 | +973 1782 0988