What to Expect During Your Plastic Surgery Consultation

If you are interested in exploring plastic surgery, we invite you to schedule a consultation session with Dr. Jackson, WMHS Plastic Surgeon. The consultation session is $50 dollars. This appointment can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as an hour, depending on the complexity of the procedure and how many questions the patient has. All prospective patients are encouraged to spend time researching their desired procedure in order for the consultation to be as efficient as possible.

Physical Exams for Cosmetic Patients

Before a patient can have any type of plastic surgery, Dr. Jackson will complete a thorough physical exam first. The purpose of this exam is to ensure that the patient doesn’t have any underlying health conditions that would make it unsafe to complete the procedure. If any issues are identified, Dr. Jackson will order further testing, such as lab work or an EKG. The results of these tests may indicate the need to undergo other medical treatment before going ahead with plastic surgery.

The Consultation

Dr. Jackson will provide the patient with in-depth knowledge about the procedure in addition to answering his or her questions during this session. Consultations usually begin with an explanation of specific surgical steps and determining where on the body the procedure will take place. From there, Dr. Jackson usually describes the amount and type of anesthesia used, expected recovery time, and the anticipated cost of plastic surgery. Since most insurance companies don’t offer coverage for elective cosmetic surgeries, the last point includes a discussion of payment options.

Getting to know the goals and motivations of each patient is extremely important to Dr. Jackson. It is imperative to have realistic expectations for plastic surgery and a plan to help reach the desired appearance goals.

Another essential part of the consultation is for patients to have a clear understanding of what to expect on surgery day, such as:

  • Whether the patient can drive to and from surgery.
  • Whether to take regular medications on the day of surgery, and if not, when to stop.
  • If the patient needs to complete any personal preparations on the day before surgery and the day of surgery.
  • What time to arrive for the scheduled plastic surgery.
  • What type of results can I reasonably expect?
  • Will there be scars? If so, will they fade with time?
  • How long will my specific procedure last?
  • Is this the best option to meet my goals and objectives?

Meeting Other Staff

Often a patient coordinator is available during this session to answer questions about billing and other types of logistical concerns.

A Word About Smoking

Patients who currently smoke must be willing to quit for at least several weeks before and after their desired plastic surgery. That is because smoking slows healing and can cause post-surgical infections and other complications.

Please note, the information provided throughout this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and video, on or available through this website is for general information purposes only. If you are experiencing relating symptoms, please visit your doctor or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.