The Plastic Surgery Consultation

Many people who want to undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure are unsure of where to start. Making a plastic surgery choice is a major decision for most people. Whether the procedure you choose is minimally invasive with little downtime or a complex surgery, it is a big decision to make. One of the best ways to ensure that you are ready for any aesthetic procedure of interest is to schedule a consultation.

As you start calling offices, you will find that there are a variety of consultation types. Some offices offer free consultations, others charge for consultations; some offices charge minimally others charge more significant fees – WHY?

The Purpose of a Consultation

Consultations are a starting point. All individuals are not candidates for all procedures. Consultations are helpful to let patients understand the ins and outs of the procedure(s) that they are considering and if they are good candidates for a procedure.

The best type of consultation is with a surgeon that has scheduled quality, one-on-one time with prospective patients. This scheduled time assures that the surgeon truly understands the patient’s desires and concerns for a procedure. It also assures that the patient’s questions are answered thoroughly. When you have this type of consultation, a charge is involved. This fee makes it feasible for the office to schedule the necessary time needed with each patient to ensure all questions are answered and that the consultation is not rushed.

A good analogy to consider is when seeing your primary care physician; co-pay fees range anywhere from $35 and even over $100 for typically, just 10 minutes of time. A plastic surgery consultation can last up to an hour, so the consultation fee is actually quite a bargain price!

Looking for the Right Plastic Surgeon

We recommend having several consultations. Although it may seem tempting to schedule with a plastic surgeon who offers complimentary consultations, this may not always be in your best interest. When you pay for a consultation you can be assured that the surgeon is taking enough time to listen to your concerns about the procedure. When looking for a plastic surgeon, we recommend that you look for some of these key items:

• Training & Credentials: Make sure to ask about board certification and their specific surgery training. This includes schooling, residency, and fellowship training. Board certified plastic surgeons have hospital privileges to perform your chosen procedure. If they do not, this is a red flag.
• Surgery Experience: Ask about their experience in surgery, especially for the specific procedure(s) you are considering.
• Before and After Photos: You should be able to view before and after photos of previous patients who have undergone the procedure you are considering. Photos reflect their surgical results and what results may be possible for you.
• Reviews: Reviews of the practice and the surgeon are a way to judge what others have experienced with their care.

Schedule a Consultation

The doctors at Gawley Plastic Surgery are board-certified plastic surgeons with extensive surgical experience. Dr. Mahabir was the former Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic while Dr. Gawley was the former Chief of Plastic Surgery at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. They take the time to make sure patients get the results they desire. The feedback that we receive from our patients is that this first introduction to the practice is one of the best and most helpful experiences that they’ve had in a physician’s office. If you are considering plastic surgery and would like to know more about it, schedule your private and confidential consultation with us. Contact us by phone or fill out an online form to make your appointment with Gawley Plastic Surgery.