1. What are your qualifications?
This is the single most important fact that you need to know before deciding on the right plastic surgeon to improve your appearance.
Many “surgeons “ have no surgical qualifications at all and legally cannot call them self a “surgeon “in Queensland. They still do, just not in writing!
How do I tell if a surgeon is qualified ?
A qualified surgeon will have the letters “MBBS” behind his name and the state in which he/she qualified. This will be followed by the letters “FRACS” which stands for a member of the “Royal Australian College of Surgeons”
A Plastic Surgeon will have the abbreviated letters of their specialty following this: Plast. Recon. Surg. (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon)
If the doctor you are talking to does not have FRACS behind their name they have no surgical qualifications ! They are GP’s.
Caveat Emptor – buyer beware!
Do your homework. You wouldn’t choose a gardener to build your house. Make sure your have a surgeon performing surgery on you.
Dr McGovern is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
His qualifications are : MBBS (Qld) FRACS (Plas., Recon. Surg.)
2. How long have you been performing this surgical procedure?
Experience is everything. The more of these procedures performed by your plastic surgeon, the better.
Also the longer they have been in business, and the word of mouth surrounding the doctor should give you piece of mind that a lot of people are happy with their work.
3. Can I see before and after photographs of your surgical results?
As the point above, a good plastic surgeon will have performed lots of these procedures and therefore should have a LOT of before and after photos of their work.
Be wary of anyone that shows you 2 or 3 examples only.
Of course these will be their best work, but you would hope they have 20 or more photos of surgery they are proud of, for you to see.
4. Are the simpler option to this surgery?
In most cases plastic surgery, or cosmetic surgery as it is more commonly called today, is the only way to fix a cosmetic problem, particularly if the problem is one of loose skin.
However, some facial concerns can be easily treated non-surgically with dermal fillers, which are safer, less invasive and less expensive.
It is good to choose a surgeon that has cosmetic injectors as part of the practice as they can offer non-surgical options where surgery is not really necessary.
5. What do I have to do to prepare for surgery?
Preparing for your surgery is as important as choosing a qualified surgeon. You should be as fit and healthy as possible prior to surgery to ensure a speedy recovery and reduce your risk of problems post-operatively. Supplementing with anti-oxidants a few weeks prior can greatly help your healing
Also, preparing your skin prior to surgery will ensure optimal results .
Regardless of the procedure performed, we will be dealing with skin and we will be relying on a quick healing process.
By using medical grade skin products at least one month prior to your surgery, you will boost the elasticity of your skin and enjoy a much better result.
Your plastic surgeon should provide you with a checklist of everything you need to do in preparation for surgery.
Every surgery requires the following preparation:
- Stop smoking 3 weeks prior
- Have someone to drive you to and from the hospital on the day of surgery
- You may need someone to stay with you overnight
- If you live on your own, have some meals pre-cooked for your first few days after surgery.
A good tip is to write all of your questions down and take them with you to your appointment with your plastic surgeon. There will be a lot of new information for you to digest and medical terminology which you may not be familiar with. Having your questions prepared ensures you come away with everything answered and often negates the need for a second consultation with your surgeon.