Considering Surgery? Six Questions To Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

Making the decision to undergo a cosmetic procedure understandably involves an extensive amount of consideration and mental preparation. With the significant financial, emotional, and physical investments that go with any surgery, it is important that patients feel comfortable with their final decision. One of the best ways to ensure you feel confident about your surgery is to be well informed and educated prior to the procedure. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi, the Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIP Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas, NV, is committed to providing an exceptional level of patient service and care, beginning with education. During your private consultation, Dr. Khorsandi will take time to discuss your options and answer all of your questions.

Some of the key questions frequently asked of Dr. Khorsandi and other plastic surgeons include:

1. Does it matter if a plastic surgeon is board-certified?

It does. If you are considering undergoing cosmetic surgery, one of the first questions you should ask is whether your potential surgeon is board-certified. Board certification is a way of ensuring that your doctor is not only an experienced medical doctor but also has extensive training and experience in the field of cosmetic surgery. While many surgeons can perform cosmetic procedures such as a facelift or rhinoplasty, a designated board-certified plastic surgeon boasts a targeted expertise in their particular field and is more likely to have a deeper understanding of the complexities of the procedure. Board-certified plastic surgeons are also required to complete continuing education and certification renewals at regular intervals.

2. Am I a good candidate for plastic surgery?

One of the most frequently asked questions during a plastic surgery consultation is whether the potential patient is a good candidate for their procedure. Fortunately, the majority of men and women can safely undergo most cosmetic surgeries, but there are certainly individual factors to consider with each case. In general, good candidates for plastic surgery are:

• Relatively healthy

• Non-smokers

• At or near their ideal weight

• Finished having children

During your consultation, Dr. Khorsandi will more thoroughly evaluate your case and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for your intended procedure. If you are not found to be a candidate for cosmetic surgery at this time, there may be a nonsurgical alternative treatment that can be used to address your concerns.

3. Is plastic surgery safe?

Dr. Khorsandi and the highly skilled team at VIP Plastic Surgery take the health and safety of their patients extremely seriously. Dr. Khorsandi is proud to offer treatments and procedures that are FDA approved, and he uses his years of extensive training and experience to carefully and expertly perform surgeries with safety at the forefront. Most Las Vegas-area patients achieve beautiful outcomes with no problems, but it is essential that patients strictly adhere to preoperative and postoperative guidelines in order to reduce the risk of any complications.

4. Am I too old/too young for plastic surgery?

The question of the "perfect age" to undergo plastic surgery is exceedingly common. For the most part, men and women of any age can be considered good candidates for a cosmetic procedure. There are some cases, however, when a patient’s age may be a determining factor in whether a procedure can be performed. For instance, women interested in breast augmentation must legally be over a certain age to receive silicone gel implants. However, saline breast implants may be an option for younger women. Another case where age may come into play is with a facelift. While patients of all ages can successfully undergo a facelift procedure, some patients of an advanced age may not have enough skin elasticity to be considered a good facelift candidate. Your plastic surgeon will be able to determine if and how your age may impact your intended procedure.

5. Are the results of plastic surgery permanent?

The longevity of your results depends on the procedure, your lifestyle, genetics, and a variety of other factors. Many cosmetic surgeries produce long-lasting results that can be considered semi-permanent, but it is important to remember that age, gravity, and other forces will still be at work following the procedure. By following postoperative protocols and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, patients can usually enjoy the results of their surgery for many years to come.

6. Is there a noninvasive alternative to plastic surgery?

With the revolutionary advances in medicine and technology, there are now a variety of noninvasive, nonsurgical treatment options to help address a long list of cosmetic concerns. While these treatments can enhance a patient’s look, the results are generally less dramatic than with traditional surgery. A surgical facelift, for example, is more effective at treating advanced signs of facial aging than a liquid facelift, though the latter can still be useful for patients who may not be ready for surgery.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Khorsandi

The best way to determine how a procedure by a board-certified plastic surgeon can help enhance your look, boost your confidence, and potentially change your life is to schedule a consultation. Call our convenient Las Vegas, NV office to make your appointment with Dr. Christopher Khorsandi today, and learn more about how the team at VIP Plastic Surgery can help you achieve the look of your dreams.