There are a few questions that should be asked by a patient in addition to those specifically regarding skills, experience, and credentials of their Philadelphia plastic surgeon. It is good for a patient to know the details that will surround their plastic surgery experience. Aside from the most important questions of board certification and experience in the particular procedure that the patient is interested in, a patient might ask a variety of other questions, to maximize her understanding of what is going to happen and to know more about her plastic surgeon.
A patient might ask where the procedure will be performed. Procedures can be done in the office of the surgeon, in an outpatient center, or in the hospital, depending on what it is. A plastic surgeon may also decide that due to a patient’s other health conditions, that it would be safer to do a surgery in a hospital, so that there is more support and more equipment if something should go wrong.
A patient might ask about the hospital privileges of a Phildelphia plastic surgeon, does he or she have them, and where. This is good information to have, because this information is an indicator of the respectability of the Philadelphia plastic surgeon. Because of the threat of litigation, hospitals usually have requirements regarding the training and safety records of a surgeon before they will grant them the use of the hospital to perform procedures. Having hospital privileges is also important should something unexpected happen during a procedure.
Knowing what type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery is an important piece of information for a patient to know. Local anesthetic, IV sedation, and general anesthesia are all options. Local anesthetic is the least invasive, but this type of anesthesia is not appropriate for all procedures. IV sedation can be good for single procedure surgeries, and is less expensive than general anesthesia. General anesthesia is required for certain procedures. General anesthesia, when administered by a qualified practitioner, is safe. However, it involves making a patient fully unconscious, and relaxing all of their muscles, and so is the most effective method of anesthesia of the three. If multiple procedures are going to occur on various body parts, this is often the type of anesthesia that is necessary. Your surgeon should review your medical history and suggest the safest type of anesthesia for you.
Another important question that any patient should ask about any procedure, whether it be cosmetic surgery or not, is, “What are the risks?” Any Philadelphia plastic surgeon will expect this question from their patients, as it is such an important one. It is so important because all types of surgery, even very minor ones, come with risk. The most serious risks are blood loss, infection, and allergic reaction to anesthesia. However, these risks are relatively rare with plastic surgery, because it is an elective surgery and plastic surgeons can refuse to do procedures on high risk patients. As any Philadelphia plastic surgeon is aware, plastic surgery carries its own set of unique risks because aesthetics are an important part of the equation.
