Medical Negligence

5 Tips to Consider Before Having Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery has grown into a billion dollar industry, with thousands of Australians electing to go under the knife every year. However, the decision to undergo plastic surgery should not be made lightly as it can be very costly, painful and risky to the patient. Read on to find out more about the 5 tips you should consider before having plastic surgery.

Find the right plastic surgeon

Before having plastic surgery, it is critical to find the right plastic surgeon for you. This means the plastic surgeon should be reputable, qualified and safe.

To find a plastic surgeon, a good place to start can be to ask family and friends who have undergone similar procedures for their recommendations. You can also ask your family doctor to give you a referral to plastic surgeons they believe are reputable. When being referred by your family, friends or doctor, be sure to ask for any positive or negative feedback about the plastic surgeon.

Once you have found a plastic surgeon, you should ensure that they are qualified to perform plastic surgery. In Australia, all plastic surgeons must have successfully completed training at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) before they are approved by the Government to perform plastic surgery. You should also ensure they are experienced in the type of procedure you wish to undertake, as some procedures may be new or may require more expertise.

Lastly, you should ask the plastic surgeon if they have a history of botched plastic surgery or medical negligence claims made against them. If they do have a bad history, it is best to find a plastic surgeon with a better track record.

Understand the surgical procedure and outcomes

Once you have selected your plastic surgeon, you should book a consultation with them so they can explain the procedure they will be performing on you. The plastic surgeon should clearly explain the procedure in detail and also inform you of the expected outcomes, recovery times and potential risks and complications. You should feel free to ask any questions you may have about the procedure or outcomes and discuss any worries or concerns.

The plastic surgeon should also provide you with an information pack to take home, so that you can take your time to read through the literature and understand what it is involved. You can then make an informed decision as to whether you wish to proceed.

surgeon

Be prepared for the surgical risks

There is always a chance that things may not go well with the surgery. The plastic surgeon is required to explain and provide information on all the possible outcomes and risks of a plastic surgery before you decide to proceed. It is important that you understand the possible complications associated with the procedure and consider whether you are willing to bear the risks of such complications arising. Such complications can include the risk of infection, scarring, nerve damage, blood loss or the need for further surgeries.

Be aware of the surgical fees

After your consultation, your plastic surgeon should provide you with a printed quotation of the estimated fees for the surgery. This is known as an Informed Financial Consent (IFC) and outlines the estimated fees and potential rebates for your procedure. It should also include the plastic surgeon’s billing policies, such as when payment is required and the acceptable forms of payment.

Remember that having plastic surgery is an elective procedure, not an emergency procedure, and you should only elect to undergo the surgery if you can afford all the relevant fees and costs. This may include taking time off work for recovery, medical fees if the procedure does not go according to plan and the cost of further consultations.

Consider the alternatives to plastic surgery

Plastic surgery can be expensive, painful, risky and time-consuming for the patient. If you are unsure about whether to proceed with surgery, you should always consider the less invasive alternatives – including options such as creams, supplements, exercise or changing your diet. These alternatives can often work just as well, if not better, than surgery itself.
For more information on cosmetic surgery compensation, get in touch with Schreuders today.

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