Undergoing plastic surgery may be one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. It may be your first operative procedure, or perhaps you feel confident about surgery but nervous or unsure where to start.
No two surgeries are the same, and researching your procedure is as important as the surgery itself.
Dr Rohan Page helps patients take their first steps, answer any questions and provides a personalised experience. Here is what to know, ask and do before taking the plunge.
Meet with your surgeon
Your first step towards surgery is a consultation with Dr Page to discuss your goals and a proposed treatment plan. Come armed with your research and speak with him about all aspects of the procedure.
During the initial consultation, ask Dr Page:
- Why am I a good candidate for this procedure?
- Is there a non-surgical treatment that will be better for me?
- Can you share some previous before and after images?
- Will the results be permanent?
- What type of anaesthetic will I need?
- Will I be hospitalised, and if so, for how long?
- What are the possible complications?
- How long will my recovery be?
- What aftercare will be required?
- How much will the procedure cost?
Expect improvement, not perfection
In the age of social media and facial filters, we feel more pressure than ever to portray a ‘perfect’ image. Relying on filtered before and afters on Instagram leads to unrealistic expectations and disappointment, so establishing a realistic picture of what can be achieved is essential. Ask Dr Page for before-and-after photos and discuss with him in detail. With experience comes the very best results.
Expense
Elective cosmetic surgery isn’t inexpensive or covered by most health insurance providers. It is not, however, an area to cut corners. Ask for an estimate of the cost of your surgery, and if it means waiting a few more months to save the money for the right one, it will be well worth it.
Possible risks
Many assume that plastic surgery isn’t as serious as other types of procedures, yet all operations present the possibility of complications, most commonly infection at the surgical site. Ensuring your receive the very best in aftercare allows for proper wound care that minimises or prevents this from occurring. Dr Page will ensure you are fully aware of the possible risks and complications that may develop from surgery and how he will deal with them should they arise.
Multitasking surgery
Dr Page is comfortable combining at least two surgeries as long as you’re in good health. Often, the more surgeries done at the one-time means the less downtime it takes for recovery. The most common plastic surgery procedures that can be done at once include liposuction and tummy tuck and breast augmentation with a breast lift. A popular combination is the Mummy Makeover, which includes a tummy tuck, breast lift, and liposuction.
Recovery
Everyone heals differently, so try not to compare yourself to others. Depending on the type of surgery you have, days, weeks, or even months may be needed to recover fully. The right aftercare is crucial and should be researched and considered seriously to achieve the very best outcome. Ask Dr Page what the physical effects of the surgery are and how it might affect aspects of your personal and professional life.
June 2022
Written by Elizabeth Clarke