Tummy tuck with abdominal liposuction 09/2018
As someone who has a fear of doctors, I never thought I would learn to admire a plastic surgeon, and I can tell you Dr. Z is a cut above the rest. Every encounter I have had with Dr. Z has been positive, informing and professional. I've consulted at a few of the major Eastside plastic surgery clinics, and the difference with Dr. Z is that he will be the ONLY person you deal with(aside for the front desk staff, who are also lovely). Now that I am 4 months post-op, I feel like I have learned a lot about this process and want to give you a few thoughts to consider when shopping for your plastic surgery clinic:
1. Who did you consult with? Was it a sales person or the plastic surgeon?Who quoted you the price for the procedure? Again, was it a salesperson or the plastic surgeon? If your answer to any of these questions is NOT the plastic surgeon, you need to reconsider your surgeon.
There is Little worse in this world for me than taking time out of my day to consult with a plastic surgeon, for a procedure that will cost about the same as an inexpensive car, only to consult with someone dressed like a street walker who has no medical background or expertise to recommend procedures. If this happens to you when you go for your consultation - WALK OUT!
2. At your consultation, assuming it was with the plastic surgeon per #1, did they thoroughly explain their recommendations, or better yet - why they DID NOT recommend other procedures?
I have consulted with Dr. Z for a few procedures and he used these consultations as teaching moments, thoroughly explaining what my best options are. I believe my consultation for my tummy tuck was around an hour long, and Dr. Z did a marvelous job of turning his thorough medical background into laymen's terms for me to understand what he was saying - if someone knows what they are talking about, they can break down complex ideas into simple terms anyone can understand.
3. Does your plastic surgeon own their OR? If not, whose OR are you renting from? Who is the anesthesiologist? What assurances do you have that the plastic surgeon you are consulting with is the person who will be performing the procedure?
Dr. Z owns his own OR, he checked me into my surgery(literally his nurses stood there while he did all the work lol) and I met the anesthesiologist in person before the procedure.
4. OF EVERYTHING I TELL YOU TO CONSIDER, THIS MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT - once the procedure is over, who do you call at 3 am when you fear an emergency? Do you have the plastic surgeons cell number or do you speak with a secretary? THIS IS CRITICAL - MAKE SURE YOUR DOC IS THERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED THEM!!! Very common for plastic surgeons to 'filter' emergency calls through secretaries.
Dr. Z was there at all hours if we had a question or concern, he actively corresponded with my partner during my recovery and was ALWAYS professional.
I feel nothing but fortunate that my first serious plastic surgery experience was with such an excellent doctor and am at a place that I look forward to future procedures.