Here are some things you should do to prepare before you go to your consultation...
1 - Decide what you want done. Some people go to their surgeon with a list the length of their arm of little improvements that would make their body perfect.
Tuck a little here, stretch a little there, vacuum some of this, inject some of this... It can be complicated. While your surgeon may be able to do a couple of different things during your operation, a big long list like that is just not going to get things done.
Bring in a list of all the things you want done, and prioritize. Start with number one, and imagine that this is the only change that can be made. Then, pick a number 2 and so on. This will give your plastic surgeon a good idea of what you want done.
2 - Do your homework. The more you know about what you need done, the more smoothly your consultation will go. If you know what can be done where, and with what kinds of results, it will be easier to describe to your plastic surgeon what you want.
It's like getting a haircut; you have to know what you need, and your hairstylist will get it just right. Although, plastic surgery is a bigger operation! It's important that you are familiar with the procedures that you want done, and you have realistic expectations about the outcomes. This will help your doctor create the new body you want.
3 - Think about recovery time. All cosmetic operations require some time for the patient to recover, and this can really put a damper on your work and social life. Before you head in for your consultation, decide exactly how much of your life you can spare for recovery, and assume that you will be totally out of commission for that time.
Think of it as your time budget. Tell your plastic surgeon the absolute longest you can spend recovering, and that will help them decide if this particular operation will work for you or not.
4 - Brainstorm some questions. Make sure that you get all of your questions and concerns answered by the doctor. And, as always with doctors, be totally honest about your feelings. It can be hard to do this sometimes, but it is important. After all, it will help your plastic surgeon to know why you want to make the change. This might help them make some suggestions that would better get you what you want.
5 - Make sure your finances are in order. Decide how you are going to pay, and what your budget for the whole thing will be. You can usually pay by check, credit card or cash, and some clinics offer loan options. Just make sure you've decided beforehand how you're going to pay.
After your consultation, you'll feel relieved. You'll know just what is going to happen, in what time-frame, and what the results will be. Get prepared before your consultation, and your plastic surgery will be a success!
