We understand that having cosmetic surgery is a decision that requires real thought.
Which is why we think the consultation stage is so important in your decision-making.
Here at The Hospital Group, all of our consultations are free and there is no obligation to proceed any further, the opportunity to meet a cosmetic surgeon in person is accessible to everyone who is thinking about cosmetic surgery, so you can gather your research and take as much time as you need to decide whether it is the right decision for you
Having a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon allows you to find out more information about the procedure you are interested in and ask questions so you can make a completely informed and knowledgeable decision without any pressure to move forward.
Here are our top 10 questions you should always ask your surgeon at the consultation stage:
1. What are your cosmetic surgery qualifications?
Are you registered with the General Medical Council?
This is an important question to ask in every consultation but we would particularly emphasise the significance of finding out about your cosmetic surgeon’s qualifications if you are considering surgery abroad.
It is important to remember that there can be differences in the qualifications required to legally operate on someone as well as clinical standards and how these are enforced.
You will need to really do your research and find out about your surgeon’s medical qualifications and what this means in your chosen country as well as making sure that they are fully registered and certified with the relevant regulatory bodies.
You can read more about things to consider if you are thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad in our blog here.
2. What is your experience in performing this cosmetic surgery?
Whether you are considering breast surgery or a brow lift, it is often considered best to choose a cosmetic surgeon which specialises in the procedure you are interested in.
At your consultation, you may wish to ask how often your cosmetic surgeon performs the surgery, so you can ascertain how experienced they are in that particular procedure.
3. Can I see ‘before and after’ examples of your work?
You can never do enough research! Reading patient stories and seeing ‘before and afters’ will all form an important part of your research and can help you to see the surgeon’s operating style (if they have one).
Your surgeon will always listen to what you are hoping to achieve from surgery, but you may prefer to choose a surgeon whose patient testimonials are most closely aligned to the look you want. For instance, if you are thinking about breast surgery, you might prefer either round, high profile implants or more natural, tear drop shaped breasts.
Your relationship with your cosmetic surgeon is one which is built on trust and it is important that the surgeon you choose is the right fit for you.
4. What results can I expect following my surgery?
As part of the conversation you have with your cosmetic surgeon, you will want to find out what aesthetic improvements you can expect from surgery and equally, whether your own expectations are realistic and achievable.
5. What are the risks and possible complications involved with this specific procedure?
All elective surgeries come with their own set of risks. In an consultation it is important that any risks or complications, however minimal or unlikely, should always be communicated to you in an honest and transparent way so you fully understood what is involved before you decide to proceed any further.
6. Are there any other cosmetic surgery procedures which may be more suited to my requirements?
Having the opportunity to meet with an expert cosmetic surgeon will enable you educate yourself on the best cosmetic procedure for you needs and you may find that the procedure you had in mind is not the best suited for what you are hoping to change or improve about your body.
For example, you may be unhappy with the appearance of your breasts and have thought about breast surgery for a while. You could have a breast enlargement in mind but after meeting with a cosmetic surgeon, it may be the case that a breast uplift could be more appropriate for the results you want to achieve.
You may also wish to find out if there are any non-surgical alternatives which are less invasive and involve a shorter recovery period.
7. How long will I need to stay in hospital for?
It is important that all aspects of the cosmetic surgery process are outlined to you in your consultation including whether you will need to stay overnight in hospital or if you can simply leave that very same day. This way there are no surprises and you know exactly what will be involved with your procedure.
8. Where will the procedure itself be performed?
The clinic where you have your consultation may not necessarily be where your cosmetic surgery procedure takes place so you will need to find out whether you will need to travel for your surgery.
Be sure to find out where your procedure will be performed at in advance as you will need someone to look after you and drive you home.
9. What kind of pain can I expect following my operation?
In order to make an informed decision about going ahead with cosmetic surgery it is important to have an open and honest conversation with your surgeon about the kind of pain you can expect and how this can be managed, as this can hugely differ between procedure and procedure.
10. What will the recovery period be like?
Again, the recovery period can differ between procedures so you’ll want to be clued up so you make plans in advance.
The recovery period could be a really important factor in your decision-making especially if you have children or if it is difficult to take extended periods of time off work. Your cosmetic surgery should be at the right time for you.
At a consultation with The Hospital Group, as well as meeting an expert cosmetic surgeon, you will also meet your patient advisor, who will be with you through every step of the journey. You’ll most likely also have questions about costs, aftercare and financing your surgery, all of which can be answered by your patient advisor.
Are you ready to start your cosmetic surgery journey?
Take the first step booking a completely free consultation at your local clinic – with 22 clinics across the UK we are never too far away.
Wherever you visit us, you’ll meet a patient advisor, who’ll be with you throughout your journey. At this stage they’ll talk you through the cosmetic surgery process, from consultation to surgery and aftercare. Following your consultation with the surgeon, your personal advisor will also be able to give you a quotation of costs, so you know exactly what to expect.
We are ready when you are.