For some individuals, a new year means new possibilities. One pathway of possibilities may be aesthetics by way of plastic surgery. When one has located a board-certified plastic surgeon, the next step is scheduling a plastic surgery consultation.
It’s completely normal for a patient to feel a blend of excitement and nervousness at this appointment. Nevertheless, there are some things that a patient can do ahead of time to make the most of their consultation.
Karen Martindale is a patient concierge for San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. D. Glynn Bolitho. Dedicating more than 25 years in the cosmetic surgery industry, Ms. Martindale brings a wealth of knowledge to patients preparing for a consultation.
Ms. Martindale’s sage advice is to plan ahead.
“Top plastic surgeons like Dr. Bolitho are going to be booked about four to six weeks in advance. So most of the time, a patient will not be able to walk in and request surgery the very next week,” Ms. Martindale said. “With that said, it’s never too soon to come in for a consultation.”
According to Ms. Martindale, some patients who want to learn more about liposuction or tummy tuck may think that they need to be at their ideal weight before their consultation. Ms. Martindale shared that potential patients do not need to wait.
“It’s always a great idea to come in for your consultation three or four months ahead of time so future plans can be made. Even though you may not be at your ideal weight, coming in and having your consultation is a great start,” Ms. Martindale said. “Many patients have also explained how the consultation served as a great incentive to help them achieve their weight loss goal.”
In other instances, achieving a certain weight loss for a particular procedure may not be necessary. Ms. Martindale shared an example such as for those wanting a neck lift or surgical facial rejuvenation procedure.
“If you’re within 10 to 15 pounds of your ideal weight, having a facelift may not make that much difference,” Ms. Martindale said.
Planning ahead is also needed if one is smoking traditional cigarettes or inhaling e-liquid nicotine while vaping. Ms. Martindale wants potential patients to know that they need to stop smoking four weeks before and after surgery. And on a side note, Ms. Martindale happily reported how many of their patients never returned to their cigarette use.
Writing down questions ahead of time was also mentioned by Ms. Martindale.
“These questions can vary, but generally they range from recovery, when they can resume their exercise routines, and when they can fly,” she said.
For marathon runners readying for a future event, planning ahead on the opportune timeframe for surgery is important to address.
“Busy moms also need to coordinate their surgery time with their children’s schedules and possible childcare assistance,” Ms. Martindale said. “Another thing a patient will want to inquire is if their plastic surgeon will be out of town during the time they are interested in having surgery.”
In many respects, a plastic surgery consultation can help turn a possibility into a reality.
