4 Essential Questions for Any Liposuction Consultation Appointment
Even in the case of cosmetic procedures as common and popular as liposuction, the pre-surgery consultation is an essential learning experience for patients. I’m always happy to help my patients prepare for their procedures and get more comfortable with all of their options. And while every consultation is different, because every patient is different, there are some universal factors to consider. That’s why I wanted to present some questions that should be asked at liposuction consultation appointments:
Are you board-certified as a plastic surgeon?
This is where the discussion should begin. In order to feel assured and confident in your plastic surgery and the results, it is essential to find a medical professional who is board-certified in plastic surgery to safely perform your surgery. Anyone you consider should be board-certified as a plastic surgeon (not a “cosmetic surgeon”) by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is important because the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires additional criteria for board-certification, which provides assurance to the patient that they have chosen a surgeon with the requisite skills and experience to provide an outstanding, long-lasting result.
How much experience do you have performing liposuction procedures?
Board-certification is a great start, but it takes more than that to determine the right plastic surgeon to perform your liposuction surgery. It’s also critical that your plastic surgeon has extensive experience performing liposuction, specifically on patients with similar body types and aesthetic needs as you. I recommend asking to see before and after liposuction photos to make sure that your aesthetic sensibilities are a match and your desired results will be possible.
What different liposuction procedure methods are available?
Depending on the needs of each patient, there are different ways that liposuction surgery can be performed. Traditional liposuction involves using a very narrow tube called a cannula to break down fat deposits in the treatment area and then gently suction fat cells out of the body. I also perform a less invasive alternative known as Band Aid Liposuction. Performed using gentle numbing in my office, Band Aid Liposuction uses even smaller incisions to provide more modest, but still meaningful aesthetic results with less downtime at a lower cost than traditional liposuction.
Will I experience any visible scarring following my surgery?
Some amount of scarring is inevitable after any cosmetic surgery, including liposuction. However, it’s often very minimal following this procedure. The incisions made during this surgery are very small and often made in easy to conceal areas, meaning the scars will be tiny and hard to notice. In cases where the patient chooses to undergo Band Aid Liposuction, there will be even less post-surgical scarring.
Preparation is always very important before any cosmetic procedure, and my hope is that reading this will help patients curious about liposuction better prepare for their consultation appointments to come. To learn more about liposuction or to schedule a consultation appointment today, contact me, Dr. John LeRoy. You should also follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more plastic surgery tips and updates from my practice.