When undergoing a cosmetic surgery procedure, you want to be confident in your surgeon’s skill and expertise and comfortable with the care team and office staff. Both the surgeon and the staff should be a resource to help you along your cosmetic surgery journey.

Additionally, you should never feel pressured to move forward with a surgical procedure or cosmetic surgeon you’re not comfortable with or in a timeframe that doesn't meet your needs.

Below are some questions you can ask to help you determine which cosmetic surgery practice is right for you.

Meeting the Practice

The initial phone call to the practice is an excellent opportunity to assess if you want to consider the cosmetic surgeon for your procedure. It’s also the practice's first opportunity to tell you what's important to their team. Consider the following during your first phone call with the office staff:

• Were they friendly and welcoming?
• Were they trying to meet your needs or just make an appointment? (Was the staff interested in you as an individual? Did they ask questions about you, your reasons for surgery and your timeframe for both appointment and surgery?)
• Were they knowledgeable? Could they answer basic questions about your cosmetic procedure?
• Could they answer basic questions about the surgeon, such as training, specialty and board certification?
• Did they provide a price range for the procedure?
• Did they offer to send information to you about the procedure and the practice? Did they encourage you to call back with any questions on the material you will receive?
• Did they spend sufficient time with you on the phone to make you comfortable and answer your questions or did you feel rushed?
• Would you be comfortable calling this practice back with additional questions? Were you encouraged to call back with questions that might arise following your conversation?

This is the staff's only opportunity to make a first impression. How did they do? Do you think you will be able to develop a trusting relationship and have open communication with this practice?

The Consultation

The consultation is your primary opportunity to meet the staff and surgeon in person to collect information about the procedure and expected results.

The way you are treated during the consultation and how the practice handles the interaction is often an indication of how the practice is run and how they treat patients before, during and after surgery.

Here’s some additional details to look for during your consultation:

Staff and Practice

• How were you greeted by the staff? Are they welcoming?
• Did the practice appear to be well-run or hectic? 
• Did the staff act in a professional manner? 
• Were you seen on time or did you have to wait well past your appointment time? If you had to wait, did the staff apologize and explain the reason for the wait? Were you offered the opportunity to reschedule? Were they considerate of your time?
• Was the facility neat, clean and attractive?

Consult with the Surgeon

• Was the surgeon friendly and professional? Did you feel the surgeon had time to meet with you or did you feel rushed?
• Was the surgeon interested in you as an individual? Did the doctor ask why you are considering the procedure and about your goals and expectations for the surgical procedure?
• Did the surgeon discuss alternatives to the procedure you are inquiring about? Did the doctor appear open to alternatives?
• Did the surgeon talk about risks and expected results? Did they set realistic expectations, such as scar and recovery time? Did their expectations meet your expectations? If not, were they open to discussing the differences and how to meet your expectations?
• Did you have an opportunity to see before-and-after photos? How did the results look to you? Did the results look natural? Did the results shown in the photos meet your expectations for what you’re looking for? Were the photos of actual patients of the practice?
• Was the surgeon open to discussing their training and experience with the procedure? Were they open and honest about board certification? How many times have they performed this procedure? Is it a common procedure for them?
• Did the surgeon discuss recovery and what to expect? Did they discuss how complications are handled and their availability after the procedure?
• Did the surgeon ask if you have any questions or concerns? Did they address your questions or concerns to your satisfaction? 
• Did you to establish a good rapport with the surgeon that will endure throughout the procedure and post-op time frame?

Price Quote

• Were you given a written fee estimate for the procedure? Did it include multiple written quotes if you discussed alternatives with the surgeon? Was the estimate explained to you? Were all your questions about the quote answered?
• Did the practice offer to check surgical date availability to meet your time frame?

The consultation is the opportunity for the surgeon and staff to show you why you should allow them to perform your surgical procedure. How did they do? Were they able to establish trust and open communication that make you feel that they are best practice for you? Did they establish a process for followup to ensure that all your questions are answered?

Cosmetic surgeons at PAMF are located throughout the San Francisco Bay area with services in San Jose, Santa Cruz, Alviso, Milpitas, Los Altos and surrounding cities.

Contact a PAMF cosmetic surgery specialist to schedule your consultation for more information.