For many people that visit our clinic, it is the very first time they are seeing a plastic surgeon. A bit of nervousness is common. While scheduling your complimentary consultation at Synergy Plastic Surgery is the first step in meeting your aesthetic goals, there is much to consider and process! You may be wondering where to even begin. Preparation is key, and the time you spend preparing for your first appointment will help calm the butterflies while also helping ensure you get the very most out of your visit. Here is a blueprint of what to consider and where to begin:
Hone in on your goals
Every patient has unique reasons for exploring plastic surgery options. It can start with a notion of wanting to look and feel better, or a clear objective to change a specific aspect of your body. Either way, it is important to match your goals with the reality of what plastic surgery can or cannot do for you.
Normally, those who are the most satisfied with their surgical outcomes have very specific goals in mind: something like reducing their breast size by two cup sizes, instead of something like make me more beautiful. Your aesthetic goals should also be concise and realistic.
A good place to start is by looking at some before and after photos of patients who have had similar procedures done on the part of the body you are thinking about changing. Feel free to bring notes and pictures that show what you mean so that you and your surgeon can be sure that you are on the same page.
Consider your timeline
Does the change you want to make have something to do with an event coming up? Is there a time frame or even such as a wedding, a job interview, or a Hawaiian vacation? Knowing your timeline is important because different procedures have different recovery times. Unfortunately, there is no way to force nature to hurry along when it comes to healing. Pain, swelling, and caring for incisions or sutures can put a damper on your plans. Considering this factor will ensure that you will have the time to fully and safely recover in a timely manner.
Take a health inventory
To get the very best results possible you should be in the best health you can be. This means eating well, exercising, and not smoking. You will also need to limit your intake of alcoholic beverages before and after any procedure. Make sure to get a handle on any inhibiting habits before considering surgery. Certain medical conditions can impair healing and may also impact results, so it is important to work with your surgeon, primary care doctor, or any other specialists to get these under control.
Know your surgeon
Researching and trusting your surgeon is key to a positive experience and outcome. To start with, look at your surgeons’ credentials. They should have an MD after their name and be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). They should have hospital privileges in your area, even if they will be performing an in-office procedure. It is also a good idea to find out if they have a professional membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. At Synergy Plastic Surgery, our doctors are board certified and meet all the highest level of qualifications. Our surgeons operate out of our own state-of-the-art surgical centers which are adjacent to our clinics. Furthermore, our surgeons have hospital privileges at several hospitals throughout Austin and Round Rock in order to ensure your safety. Read our surgeons CV’s and learn more about our qualifications here.
Here are some more helpful tips for choosing a plastic surgeon!
Nail down logistics
Nothing will put a kink in your plans like something as simple as getting lost on the way to your appointment! Make sure you have considered even the simplest of logistics, like where the office is and how you are going to get there. At Synergy Plastic Surgery, we have 3 different clinics to accommodate our patients, make sure you are going to the correct location! You will also have some forms to fill out when you arrive, and it’s good to have your ID handy as well. Bring the contact information for your primary care provider, pharmacy, and any important specialists you see. A list of current medications and health history will also be a big help to your surgeon.
If you have any concerns or questions about what you will need for your first plastic surgery appointment with us, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
We look forward to partnering with you as you take that first step toward the change you are looking for and unlocking your perfect Synergy Experience!
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