Award-winning, Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor has been helping patients realize their beauty goals for over 16 years. He serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery for Main Line Health Systems encompassing Bryn Mawr, Lankenau, Paoli, and Riddle Hospitals. He is committed to patient satisfaction and safety, and his knowledge of and continual training in the most advanced surgical techniques provide his patients with up-to-date, cutting-edge care that yields exceptional results. He works closely with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan and is dedicated to helping patients achieve a long-lasting, natural post-surgical look. Haute Beauty expert Dr. Brannon Claytor explains what to consider at a plastic surgery consultation and how to go prepared with questions.

Photo Credit: ShutterstockPerhaps you have been thinking about a plastic surgery procedure for a while now. For some, it takes upwards of two years before they are ready to make the call to a plastic surgery office to schedule a consultation. For others, they may pick up the phone or request a consultation online right away. What is important to remember is that the consultation experience will be unique for each patient. Our personalities often dictate what we are willing to share during a consultation, but as you search for the right board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your surgery, know that whether you are seeking a surgical or a non-surgical or minimally invasive procedure, you should know that plastic surgery will not change who you are. It will enhance, accentuate, and it will rejuvenate, and it will likely increase your confidence.

For your consultation, you will want to come equipped with a list of questions for your surgeon. Often the practice team will supply you with a pen and paper so you can write down the surgeon’s responses but bring your list with you. There is so much information shared during your consultation that it is easy to forget something. Note how comfortable you are with the surgeon and his team. Is the office clean and welcoming? Your instincts will serve you well. Click here or watch below to experience a typical consultation at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery.

Below is a list of questions for your consultation to get you started. We look forward to helping you on your journey to achieve your aesthetic goals!

Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery Consultation Questions*:

Questions About the Procedure

1. Which surgery would you recommend to best give me the result I’m after?
2. Are other options available to me – surgical and/or non-surgical?
3. How will the surgery be performed?
4. How safe is the procedure? How common are complications?
5. How long would I typically be in the operating room?
6. If I request to have multiple operations, can they be safely performed at the same time, or do I need to have them scheduled separately? And if I need to have them separately, how much time do I need to leave between surgeries?
7. What kind of anesthesia will you use during surgery? Do I need to arrange for a ride home?
8. Where will the procedure be performed? Is this in an accredited hospital facility? Accredited by whom?
9. Will I need to stay overnight, or will this be an outpatient procedure?

Questions About Your Surgeon

10. Are you board-certified? If yes, by which Board or Boards?
11. Do you have other professional affiliations? For example, are you a member of ASAPS or ASPS?
12. How long have you been performing this procedure?
13. How many of these procedures do you perform a week? A month?
14. What is the most popular surgical procedure you perform?

Questions About After the Surgery

15. How long will my healing process take?
16. What kind of pain should I expect, and how will this be managed?
17. What will the scarring be like? Will it be visible? How can I help minimize this?
18. Is there any particular clothing that I should (or shouldn’t) wear during this time?
19. How many follow-up visits will I need?
20. What is the recovery period like? What activities can I do during that time?
21. When will I be able to get back to my regular activities such as taking a shower, driving, and exercising?
22. When can I return to work?
23. How long do the results typically last? Will I need “touch-up” treatments in the future?
24. Will I need revision surgery later on? If so, why, and how likely is it?

Questions About Payment will be reviewed with the patient care coordinator

25. What is my total cost?
26. Are there any hidden fees, or does your quote include everything? Does this include my follow-up visits, or are those billed separately?
27. If I’ll be required to wear specific clothing or need special equipment, is that cost included?
28. If I’m having multiple surgeries, will it cost me less to have them in the same session?
29. What credit cards do you accept?
30. Is it possible that my insurance would cover (partially or fully) any of my procedure(s)?
31. If revision surgery is needed, is that covered under your initial quote? Or would that be an extra, separate charge?

* Credit to The International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery