Make The Most Of Your Plastic Surgery Consultation! Top Doctor Explains How
Dr. Steven Bloch—a widely recognized Chicago-based Castle Connolly Top Doctor—has an important message for individuals who are considering plastic surgery…
Make the most of your consultation!
“The consultation should be treated as an absolute essential part of every patient’s plan for successful plastic surgery,” Dr. Bloch asserts. “In my mind, patients who are unprepared for this meeting are making a huge mistake.”
During our conversation with Dr. Bloch, we asked him to share specific steps patients can take to ensure their consultation is a success.
The first step is actually quite simple—bring photos of what you want to look like. “This is an extremely valuable piece of information because it allows you—the patient—to visually express your desires, but it also allows the surgeon to evaluate your expectations,” Dr. Bloch says.
He tells about one woman who wanted breast enlargement surgery. “She came to her consultation with a photo of a tall lanky woman with Double D breasts. The patient, however, was short and stocky, and only an A cup,” Dr. Bloch explains. “The photos told me that her expectations were not realistic. I had to let her know that Double D breasts would make her look overweight, not sexy.” She eventually took Dr. Bloch’s advice and is satisfied she received an honest opinion…and appropriately sized breasts.
Which brings us to the second point—trust. More specifically, do you feel like you can trust your surgeon? There are ways to tell.
“If your surgeon offers to do whatever you want, my advice is to walk away,” Dr. Bloch asserts. “You want a surgeon who will tell you the truth, not one who will just tell you what you want to hear.”
To that end, look for a doctor who thoroughly explains your options rather than dictates what you should do or allows you to dictate what’s proper. In a very real sense, your plastic surgeon is a guide who helps you understand your surgical options, as well as the risks and recovery time for each procedure. This, in turn, allows you to make an informed decision about how you’d like to proceed.
Still, in the end, the surgeon must be able to achieve the results you desire.
Dr. Bloch once had a patient come to him saying he wanted the same nose as a movie star he admired. “I had to tell him it wasn’t feasible,” Dr. Bloch says. “And it wasn’t because I didn’t have the skill…it was because the nose he wanted would never look the same on his face. His eyes and chin and forehead were all different than the actor’s face.”
This is why the surgeon’s insight and skill are critical considerations.
With this in mind, Dr. Bloch says it’s perfectly suitable to ask about the doctor’s training, board certification, and experience. “There are many doctors out there who appear reputable, but a sign on the door and a fancy website mean nothing,” Dr. Bloch asserts.
Ask probing questions, like:
Where did you receive your training?
How many years have you been performing plastic surgery?
How many times have you performed the procedure I’m interested in?
Can I reach out to your former patients for their feedback?
Can I see before-and-after photos of your work? (The more photos, the better)
Maybe the most important question, however, involves the surgeon’s board certification. Dr. Bloch explains that a doctor who is board certified has extensive education and training, and has passed all the requisite certification exams. Dr. Bloch, who is certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, recommends only working with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
“When you meet with a plastic surgeon to talk about your procedure, be sure you walk away with a full understanding of the doctor’s skills and experience, details of your operation, potential risks and complications, and a clear explanation of expected results,” Dr. Bloch concludes.
