Liposuction: Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

How much experience do you have with liposuction?

Cosmetic surgery is a large field, and different surgeons may have more experience with some procedures than others. Don’t be afraid to ask how many years a potential surgeon has been performing liposuction treatments.

You should also ask specifically how much experience he or she has with performing liposuction surgery on the areas of your body that you plan to have treated.

What kind of results can I expect?

You can read about the types of results that are most common for liposuction procedures, but it can be difficult to truly know what to expect until you ask a surgeon about your body specifically. He or she will be able to assess your trouble areas and give you a more personalized answer about what liposuction can do for you.

Usually, the surgeon will be able to demonstrate what your shape will look like or tell you how many inches you can expect to lose with liposuction.

Do you have before and after photos of other liposuction procedures?

All cosmetic surgery procedures require a certain level of artistry in addition to medical expertise. Plastic surgeons often have their own preferred styles and aesthetic tendencies, so it’s important to find one that is a good fit for your own goals and body type.

Look through as many photo galleries as you can, and pay special attention to the patients whose “before” bodies are similar to yours. This will help you to gain a better understanding of whether or not the surgeon’s methods are a good match for you.

Are you a Board Certified Surgeon?  And is your Board Certification specifically for Plastic Surgery?

Some surgeons will claim Board Certification but be sure he or she is Board Certified for Plastic Surgery, through the American Board of Plastic Surgery, or ABPS.  In the realm of Cosmetic Surgery, it is the only Board Certification or certifying organization that truly counts.

What other Professional accreditations have you earned?

Look for additional accreditations, like membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which require member surgeons to meet the highest standards of safety, quality and ethics, which means that you can feel safe and confident in your choice.

Is your facility licensed?

Ensure your surgeon operates out of a facility that meets the most stringent health and safety standards.  Accreditation by the independent AAAASF (the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) for example, is one such gold standard of health and safety.

How long will I have to wait before getting liposuction?

Not all surgical practices will have the same wait times regarding treatments. Some surgeons may not have an open slot for weeks or months, and others may be able to schedule your liposuction treatment within the week.

If you have a big event that you are hoping to attend with your new body, you should take this into consideration when choosing a surgeon. You will need plenty of time to rest, heal and fully recover, so scheduling is an important factor.

What are my financing options?

Cost and financing options are not the same from one practice to the next. Cost can depend on a host of factors, and it is normal to shop around to find a surgeon that suits your standards, aesthetic tastes as well as your budget.

Many plastic surgery offices have multiple financing options, so be sure to ask about them in detail when you go in for a consultation.

How long will the surgery take?

Generally speaking, liposuction is not a long, intensive surgery. However, the length of your procedure will depend on many factors, including the areas to be treated, your overall health and whether or not you will be receiving any additional treatments.

The surgeon should be able to accurately estimate how long your specific surgery will take.

What will my recovery timeline look like?

Recovery is another aspect of liposuction that is largely dependent on a number of factors. It may be helpful to read about general recovery timelines, but only a plastic surgeon can tell you accurately what kind of recovery schedule you can expect.

Are there complementary procedures to help me get better results?

For some people, liposuction alone is enough to achieve the results they are looking for. However, this is not true for everyone. When you meet with a plastic surgeon, you should be completely honest about exactly what you hope to achieve. Telling the surgeon about your aesthetic goals in detail will help him or her to more accurately judge whether or not you would benefit from other treatments alongside liposuction.

Are you willing to treat larger areas of fat?

Not all surgeons are willing to perform liposuction on large areas of fat. If you’re hoping to have a large area treated, be sure to be very clear about this so that the surgeon can tell you right away if he or she believes it is feasible.

What level of post-surgical care will I need?

A major factor that will determine how your recovery progresses is the area that you have treated. For example, liposuction in the buttocks requires a different level of care than if you were to have love handles or upper arms treated. It’s important to ask beforehand so that you know what to expect.

If complications arise, how will they be handled?

Complications can be rare in liposuction procedures, but it is still helpful to understand any potential risks and know how they will be handled. Your surgeon will outline the possible complications during the consultation, and you should ask for as much detail or clarification as you need to feel comfortable and confident about the procedure.

Which liposuction technique do you recommend for me?

There are many different types of liposuction techniques available now, and it can be confusing to understand how one is better than another. it’s important to ask the surgeon which method he or she would recommend for you and why it can yield the best results.

Boost Your Confidence With Liposuction

Liposuction can be the most effective way to overcome those last few fat reduction hurdles that stand in the way of your ideal body.  Asking the right questions and understanding what to expect can help make your liposuction and body contouring journey all the more successful.

Please contact us today to schedule a Liposuction Consultation in our Seattle office!

Click here to see Before and After Photos of Liposuction

Click here to read frequently asked questions about Liposuction