Top 5 Questions Plastic Surgeons Wish You'd Ask
When you’re researching plastic surgery online, it’s easy to find lists of questions you should ask a plastic surgeon before going under the knife. But are those lists complete? Is there anything your plastic surgeon particularly wishes you would ask?
I spoke with two board certified plastic surgeons from different ends of the country to see what they might say. Dr. Elliot Jacobs, a New York plastic surgeon, performs cosmetic procedures from head to toe for men and women and is considered a specialist in gynecomastia (male breast reduction) surgery. Dr. David Kaufman, a plastic surgeon in Sacramento, also serves a diverse clientele—offering both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery—and particularly enjoys performing plastic surgery after weight loss.
Here are some questions these two accomplished plastic surgeons like their patients to ask.
1) What results can I realistically expect?
Even though most patients claim to have reasonable expectations, you might be surprised how often people harbor dreams they perhaps didn’t even realize they had. Dr. Kaufman performs dozens of breast augmentations every month, and he enjoys the procedure for the joy it can bring women who have been unhappy about their skimpy curves. Still, he cautions, “You may have wanted bigger breasts for years, and after surgery, that’s just what you’ll have. You won’t qualify to be a swimsuit model, unless you were already well on your way before surgery.”
Dr. Jacobs adds, “After surgery, some patients micro-scrutinize the results—finding minor imperfections and focusing on those (some of which were actually present prior to surgery but never noticed), instead of looking at the major improvements that have been achieved. They should look at the big picture.”
Bonus points: Plastic surgeons especially appreciate it if you don’t ask them to replicate a celebrity’s body part. For one thing, molding your rear to look just like Pippa Middleton’s is easier said than done; for another, Pippa’s butt might not look right on you.
2) What factors will contribute to my surgical outcome?
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Society has always, and increasingly, placed emphasis on appearance. In this rushed world we live in, first impressions are becoming more and more important (for many it is the only indicator used when judging a person) when making your mark in the big bad world, and so I imagine the income of these cosmetic surgeons and the cosmetic surgery industry will skyrocket in the future.
July 27, 2011 - 2:14amThis Comment