Consultation 101: How an In-Depth Personal Consultation Helps to Ensure Favorable Surgical Result

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- While technology has changed the scope of cosmetic surgery in recent years by offering more options for treatment, the best way to ensure successful results is still through an in-depth personal consultation, says Dr. Norman Pastorek, a leading New York doctor with over 30 years of experience in facial plastic surgery. Viewing a potential surgeon's website and reading online reviews should not replace the face-to-face conference as a deciding factor in undergoing a procedure or choosing a physician.

"The two things that patients always tell me regardless of the nature of the consultation are 'I do not want to look like I have had an operation' and 'I still want to look like myself,'" says Dr. Pastorek. "Explaining the refined techniques I use in facial plastic surgery to achieve these two important goals is a very important part of the consultation."

According to Dr. Pastorek, the importance of a surgical consultation can't be overstated, as this is when the patient and doctor can communicate with one another, examining the patient's goals for the procedure and developing the appropriate surgical plan. The consultation process also lets the patient judge whether or not they feel completely comfortable having the surgeon perform the procedure in question.

The first step in the consultation is a thorough discussion of the patient's medical history, to be sure that the individual is a suitable candidate for elective aesthetic surgery. While the vast majority of people are healthy enough to undergo surgery, some conditions do preclude elective surgery. During the consultation, the patient also has the opportunity to look at a range of before and after photos of patients who've undergone the same treatment. It is important for patients to see a variety of past results from the surgeon rather than relying on a few select images shown on a website. This crucial step allows patients to see the limits and possibilities of a particular procedure and helps start a conversation about the patient's desired outcomes.

A consultation also affords the patient the opportunity to ask questions. Patients should prepare in advance, says Dr. Pastorek. Researching a surgeon's credentials and years of experience is critical, as qualifications and training vary. Patients should ask if the prospective doctor is board certified and if he or she regularly pursues continuing education. Asking questions of friends and relatives who have had procedures is another good way to prepare for a consult. 

In addition to considering qualifications, though, Pastorek stresses that patients should consider their own feelings and choose a doctor with whom they can communicate easily. If doubts arise during the consultation, Pastorek recommends interviewing other physicians before committing to surgery.

Although his prospective patients receive written information, Pastorek says the face-to-face consultation is key to a patient's understanding of the pre- and post-op instructions. Explaining pre-operative preparations directly to the patient ensures that patients follow protocols that will minimize post-surgical bruising and swelling as well as accelerate their recovery time. Following the instructions gleaned from the consultation is another key factor in surgical success.

By establishing realistic goals for plastic surgery and gaining an in-depth understanding of what's required before and after surgery, a patient will feel confident throughout the entire process. That kind of confidence and clarity can only be achieved through a thorough and detailed consultation, says Dr. Pastorek, and it is a key step toward a successful outcome for the desired procedure.

About Dr. Pastorek: A top facial plastic surgeon in New York City, Norman Pastorek, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S., has been elected by his peers to The Best Doctors in America® and Castle Connolly's America's Top Doctors® every year since the inception of these guides. In 2011, he was also named to U.S. News & World Report's Top Doctors list. His office is at 12 East 88th Street, New York, New York 10128. Reach him at http://www.normanpastorekmd.com or call (212) 987-4700.

Media Contact: Janice Pastorek at http://www.normanpastorekmd.com/ or (212) 987-4700.

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SOURCE Norman Pastorek, M.D.