BEAUTY & GLAM
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR
COSMETIC SURGERY CONSULTATION
By RHONDA SHRUM
Before their first consultations with our plastic surgeons
in St. Louis, patients often wonder how they can prepare.
We make sure never to rush these initial appointments
so there is time to cover all questions and concerns,
but there are definitely some things patients can do in
advance to get the most out of their time with us.
Get your questions ready
It is a great idea to educate yourself on procedures of
interest before you come in. When doing your own
research, we suggest you write down any questions
that pop into your mind. It’s easy to forget something
once we start talking, and most patients find that having
notes really helps. Typical questions cover topics such as
surgery vs. non-surgical alternatives, what to do before
the procedure, and how we help facilitate your recovery,
as well as questions about our team’s experience and
credentials. This is your opportunity to ask anything you
want. A great resource for coming up with questions is
the Q&A section for each procedure on realself.com, a
hugely popular online plastic surgery forum.
Bring pictures
Bringing images to your consultation is a great way to
help surgeons visualize your ideal outcome after the
procedure. You can choose from the before-and-after
pictures in our photo gallery or from any other source.
Try to choose images of people who have a similar body
type or facial structure to yours, as well as the results
you’d love to have. Using these visual aids, we can
discuss which procedures could bring those results to
fruition for you.
Have an open attitude
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We want to encourage you to come into these
consultations with an open mind and an understanding
that you can speak freely. For all our patients, we want
to emphasize that our office is a safe environment, and
your privacy is legally protected by Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws. The
more information you can give your surgeon about your
medical history, goals, and yes, insecurities, the better
we are able to help you. Our objective is to give you
the look you want while still considering your safety
and quality of life. It’s also good to have an open mind
about which procedures might work best for you. Using
our decades of experience, we will be honest and open
with you to help you achieve the best outcome possible.
That may mean considering an option you didn’t expect
before coming in. When both our hearts and minds are
open, we find the best solutions.
GAZELLE STL
Rhonda is the marketing director
at St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery.
You can read her blog at
stlcosmeticsurgery.com.
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