Making Smart Decisions
- Make sure the surgeon is board-certified
- Ask if the surgeon has hospital privileges
- Check the surgeon's record
- Come armed with questions for the doctor
Remember: Breast augmentation is major surgery, you can not ask too many questions. Bring a checklist of questions with you so not to forget your concerns.
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Things You need to know when doing Plastic Surgery in Chicago - FAQ
People evaluating whether or not they want plastic surgery have numerous options available that can help them decide. Reputable Chicago plastic surgeons offer free consultations with no obligation that allow patients to discuss procedures and the results they deliver. Ultimately the decision is a personal one. You should not consider plastic surgery if someone else is telling you to change, if you are not in good general health, or if you have not thoroughly considered what plastic surgery involves.
What exactly is plastic surgery?
Contrary to what some believe, the term plastic surgery does not mean inserting plastic or making someone appear plastic through surgery. Instead, it means using surgical procedures to restore or alter one's appearance. The wide array of options and transformative nature of these procedures led to them being called plastic surgery - as plastic is flexible and can take many forms.
What does it take to become a plastic surgeon?
No one becomes a surgeon overnight. The training and education obtained by Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute surgeons includes specialized post-graduate courses taken over five to seven years, followed by certification with the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The last two years of training must be in an approved plastic surgery training center and board certification only occurs after each physician passes rigorous examinations. Only surgeons who have passed the requirements mandated by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are true certified specialists.
Are perfect results guaranteed from Chicago plastic surgeons?
Plastic surgery patient results can vary depending on the level of care taken during recovery, or the way their body reacts to the procedure. As with all medical procedures there can be no guarantees. Ensuring your physician is board-certified, and taking the time to be as informed as possible about the procedure you are considering greatly contributes towards having a successful and positive experience.
What do I need to know before deciding to get plastic surgery in Chicago?
There are specific questions you can ask about any Illinois cosmetic center you might be evaluating. A credible surgeon will be willing to meet with you to answer your questions, and can provide certificates and supporting documentation to prove their qualifications.
Questions to ask in choosing a plastic surgeon:
Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Specifically ask which board the physician is certified by. Only the American Board of Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialities.
Do you have hospital privileges to perform plastic surgery in Chicago?
Hospital review committees evaluate a surgeon's training to ensure they are competent to perform specific procedures. While your procedure may be performed in the doctor's office it is important to know whether your physician is recognized by an accredited hospital.
Where will my plastic surgery be performed? How many similar procedures to the one I am considering have you performed?
Ensure that any facility (office-based or outpatient) where you might be having plastic surgery is accredited. This is not required by most states, however if your physician has voluntarily applied to an accrediting body such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, or The Joint Commission (TJC Certified) then you know the facility has met strict requirements for quality and standards of care.
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
As with any medical or surgical procedure, there are risks to be aware of. Inquire what the risks associated with your procedure are, and how they are handled if they occur.
What is the expected recovery time?
Qualified and high-quality Chicago plastic surgeons will offer excellent post-operative care that supports their patient's recovery. The time required to recover from plastic surgery varies from procedure to procedure. Your surgeon should be able to provide you with estimated recovery time(s) based on their experience.
What is your policy on surgical revisions, if required?
Some surgeries require additional procedures depending on patient satisfaction and overall results. Inquire about any additional costs that may be associated with needing to return, and how this is handled by the surgeon and the plastic surgery clinic.
How much does this surgery cost?
Plastic surgery costs can include surgeon's fees, pre-operative blood work and physical exams, and medical garments to assist recovery (depends on procedure performed). Payment is typically required in advance, and you will want to be assured when making your decision that all related fees are discussed ahead of time to avoid surprises.
What do plastic surgeons do?
The field of plastic surgery relates to procedures that can involve both a person's ability to function, as well as their general appearance. Procedures performed by plastic surgeons can be grouped into two large categories. Reconstructive surgery covers such things as surgery to correct congenital defects of the hands or face (i.e., cleft palates). Cosmetic surgery relates to aesthetic problems identified by patients and operated on by a surgeon. This includes breast augmentation, liposuction, nose jobs, face lifts, etc.
What is cosmetic surgery?
Cosmetic, or aesthetic surgery specifically pertains to an elective surgical procedure to alter a part of someone's body they are not satisfied with.
Will I have a scar after having plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery as a science has evolved to the point that skilled Chicago plastic surgeons can place incisions where they are virtually invisible. Minor scarring is inevitable however by using natural creases in the body or placing incisions in places like armpits or along patient's hair lines, physicians reduce the appearance of scars.
What options are there for women wanting to improve the appearance of their breasts?
Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute offers numerous options for women seeking to improve the appearance of their breasts. Breast implants, breast lifts, and breast reductions are the most common. Women choosing to have a breast enlargement procedure completed by a skilled board certified plastic surgeon have a variety of incision sites and implant types to choose from. A breast lift can restore patient's breasts to a better position and results are generally excellent. Breast reductions can relieve discomfort for women who's overly large breasts are causing them pain and who want to appear more properly proportioned.