In one of our previous blog posts, we talked about 7 things you should know before your surgical consultation. When you’re getting ready for your consultation, it’s essential to know what questions you have in mind for Dr. Parkins. Here are a few of the best questions to have ready to ask and why they are important.
Do I qualify as a candidate for plastic surgery?
A person who is in good overall health will, in most cases, qualify for surgery. Patients who are in a healthy BMI range, don’t smoke, and don’t have other underlying conditions almost always qualify for surgery because their risk of complications is lower. This question is important to ask to ensure your safety during surgery and to have the best possible recovery. A surgical health and physical exam by a primary care physician will also help determine eligibility for surgery.
What type of procedures do you specialize in?
While many plastic surgeons have a broad range of expertise in their field, there may be some procedures that they specialize in compared to others. Asking your surgeon what type of plastic surgery they perform (reconstructive, aesthetic, or both) and what areas of the body they commonly operate on is a great way to determine if the surgeon you’re consulting with is right for you. Looking through photo gallery pages on the surgeon’s website or asking to see them during your consultation can give you a better idea as well.
Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?
Asking your surgeon if they are board-certified in plastic surgery is one of the most important questions you can ask. Board-certified surgeons go through advanced training to receive the highest accreditation available in their given specialty. Choosing between a board-certified and non-board-certified plastic surgeon can make a world of difference in a patient’s results and recovery. Dr. Maida Parkins is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 12 years of plastic surgery experience.
Where is the surgery performed?
Depending on the surgeon, you may have plastic surgery in a hospital or private clinic, and this may be a deciding factor for many patients. At Parkins Plastic Surgery, we provide patients with a private operating room and private recovery room at our Madison & Milwaukee area location in the same building where you meet Dr. Parkins and her team for your consultation and all pre- and post-op appointments. Our surgical facility is AAAASF-certified which means patients can have their procedures done at Parkins Plastic Surgery with full confidence that they are enjoying care at the same level—or better—as they would receive at a hospital.
What type of anesthesia will be used for my procedure?
Most surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, meaning the patient is completely asleep during the procedure. Some cases use local anesthesia where the patient will be awake during their surgery, but the treatment area will be numbed before the start of the procedure. The type of anesthesia used will vary based on what procedure you’re interested in. It’s good to know which type of anesthesia will be used during your surgery, especially if you’ve had adverse reactions to anesthesia in the past.
There are a wide range of questions that can be asked during your consultation in addition to these few. Some may be more specific to the procedure you’re interested in or have to do with the surgical recovery timeline. Whatever questions you have, Dr. Parkins and her team are more than happy to answer them for you at any point in your aesthetic journey. Schedule a visit to Parkins Plastic Surgery to start your surgical journey today. Call us at (262) 269-1050 or submit a contact form online.
