Your upcoming liposuction consultation has you excited, but nervous too. How do you prepare? What questions should you be asking?
Here’s what to expect during your liposuction consultation in Washington, DC, so you can walk in feeling confident and at ease!
How Should I Prepare for My Liposuction Consultation?
Planning for your liposuction consultation can feel stressful, but don’t fret. If you’re unsure what if anything you should bring, the information you should have on hand, and whatever else you need to know, you’re definitely not alone. Thankfully, there isn’t a lot of prep work you need to do prior to your appointment.
Firstly, be prepared for your surgeon to ask you questions about your medical history – and a lot of them. Be ready to discuss your current medications and supplements, any previous surgeries you’ve had (cosmetic or not), and your health history. Your plastic surgeon needs this information to assess your risk factor and tailor surgery accordingly.
Secondly, make sure you have necessary documents and payment methods. This includes your ID, insurance card if you have one even if you don’t think your procedure will be covered, and your payment method. Speaking of payments, don’t be afraid to ask about financing, cost of consultation, and other important information you need to make an informed decision.
Thirdly, relax! It’s easier said than done, but all you really have to do is arrive on time and clean, and with this important information fresh on your mind.
What Questions Should I Ask During My Consultation?
If you’ve ever been faced with a doctor asking if you have any questions and unsure where to start, it might help you to write down a list of questions either in your phone or a notebook to keep your mind organized and on track.
Here are some examples of liposuction questions you should consider asking during your consultation:
- Based on my personal assessment, what results should I expect?
- Have you had many experiences with cases like mine? How did it go?
- How do I prepare for the procedure?
- How do you handle complications?
- How much of my unwanted fat can be removed with liposuction?
- What are the costs associated with liposuction, and are there additional fees?
- What are the risks associated with liposuction, and what do you do as a surgeon to reduce risks?
- What can I expect during recovery? How long will it take?
- What is your experience with liposuction? How many surgeries have you performed?
- What kind of scarring should I expect? Will it be visible?
Okay, Now What to Expect During Your Liposuction Consultation in Washington, DC? Here’s the Scoop!
You’re mostly prepared for what lies ahead now, but what exactly does lie ahead? What happens during a consultation?
In a way, it’s similar to a standard doctor’s appointment. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss your concerns, goals, and why you want this surgery. During this discussion, topics relating to your medical history, medications, drug allergies, and more will occur.
After this, your surgeon will perform a physical assessment and evaluate the areas you want to have treated. Typically, they perform a “pinch test” to do this, gently pinching your skin in between their thumb and forefinger.
By doing this, they check to see if there’s enough fat to remove in order to achieve visible results. The width of skin between their fingers should measure at least an inch. The face and neck are exceptions to this test.
The next part of your liposuction consultation includes discussing your options, your personal risk factor, and treatment outcome. If you’re at risk for complications, this doesn’t mean that you’re automatically not a candidate, but that you and your surgeon will need to take extra steps to prevent complications.
Once the course of treatment is decided and you’re booked for surgery, expect to take some exciting before photos to compare with your exceptional after!
Is There Additional Testing I Should Be Aware of Before I Can Get Approved?
For some cases, additional testing and health evaluations may be necessary. This depends on your personal risk as well as treatment area. In many cases, you’ll be asked to undergo laboratory testing such as bloodwork. This is to ensure that you are in good enough health to pursue liposuction.
For neck and facial liposuction, imaging may be required in addition to lab work, although it is typically reserved more for patients with certain health conditions. The same goes for abdominal, thigh, or knee liposuction.
While it can seem discouraging to not receive an immediate yes, it’s worth reminding yourself that certain risk factors or health conditions doesn’t mean that you’ll receive a no either. There are many ways to safely receive liposuction, even with risk of complications.
Candidates who may struggle to receive approval are patients with significant sagging or excess skin. Liposuction is designed to remove fat, not excess skin. Surgeons may not approve you for fat removal if sagging or excess skin will hinder or hide your results.
Ultimately, liposuction is an amazing surgery that aids patients in achieving their ideal body when diet and exercise have not been enough. Instead of approaching your consultation anxiously, it’s time to get excited and see how liposuction can help you!
Book Your Very Own Liposuction Consultation in Washington, DC With Dr. Hopping Today!
Our team at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery is here to help you every step of the way! We do everything in our power to ensure that you feel comfortable and ready for any aesthetic procedure you’re interested in.
Contact us today at 202-785-3175 to book your now that you know what to expect during your liposuction consultation in Washington, DC!
