Cosmetic Surgery: Thinking it Over
Virtually every plastic surgery procedure starts with a first meeting in the office between a new patient and the plastic surgeon. It’s known as the consultation and is a chance for the surgeon to learn about the changes you want in your appearance.
Here, Dr. Body (Stuart Linder, M.D.) and Dr. Face (Robert Kotler, M.D.) explain what patients can expect in a consultation appointment and what things they should look for as the signs of an excellent plastic surgeon.
Most board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeons charge a nominal fee for consultations. Many usually apply the fee to the costs of plastic surgery. But if you’re on your toes, you can have a second consultation for no additional fee. Drs. Body and Face tell how.
(Read more about what to expect in a fitst Los Angeles or Beverly Hills consultation.)
Dr. Linder is an eminent board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation, breast revision surgery, and tummy tucks along with male and female breast reductions.
(A revision is when a botched plastic surgery done elsewhere by another surgeon is repaired by a highly skilled cosmetic plastic surgeon.
Dr. Kotler performs surgery of the head and neck exclusively along with many rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, face lifts and ear pinnings, a procedure technically known as Otoplasty.
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Dr. Face (Dr. Kotler): Whew! What a day. I had eight rhinoplasty consults this afternoon. Was it the same for you with a lot of consultations?
Dr. Body: (Dr. Linder): Actually, I had a string of second consultations. Some patients wanting breast augmentation or breast revisions in Beverly Hills had already spent an hour in my office asking about surgery and, before leaving, said they wanted to think more about it and do a little more research.
Dr. Face: And you said?
Dr. Body: I responded that it was a perfect idea, that the more the patient knows, the better for all and please come back with any additional questions or thoughts. And, there would be no additional fee.
Dr. Face: Good plan! For a plastic surgeon, that is a perfect tack to take. After all, many patients are nervous at first. After they leave, all types of questions pop into their heads.
Dr. Body: Most returning patients say, at the end of the first consultation, say: “Doctor, I would like to mentally digest everything you said and do a little more research before making a decision on the surgery.”
Dr. Face: I often do the same thing and add that no additional charge is involved. If the surgeon does not mention it, it’s perfectly acceptable for the patient to ask before leaving: “Will I have to pay another fee if I come back for a second consultation?”
Dr. Body: Another way patients can get even more information on a first or second consultation is ask, “Doctor are there any patients in your office right now who have had a similar procedure? And if so, may I speak with them?”
Dr. Face: Perfectly acceptable! In fact, I often excuse myself from the room in such meetings, saying: “You two go ahead and chat. Let me know if you need me for anything.”
Dr. Body: I remember one lighting expert who was asked in a consultation how many people were required to change a light bulb.
Dr. Face: And…?
Dr. Body: The consultant said “Three – one to change the bulb, one to document the process and one to coach him on how to conform to the process.”
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Look at some before and after breast revision photos
