Facial Plastic Surgery Consult: A Can’t-Miss Opportunity

Do you think you’re ready for facial plastic surgery? Congratulations. It can be a wonderful life-changing decision…if you go about it correctly. Increasingly, people call our practice in Edgecliff and tell us they want to book a procedure straight away. “I’ve done my research, my finances are in order, and I’m ready to go,” they tell us.

Sorry, but when it comes to facial plastic surgery, going forward is not a decision you should make on your own. “Even non-invasive procedures should be preceded by an in-person consultation,” says Dr Marcells.

Here’s why…

We Won’t Treat Until We Meet

Surgical and non-surgical procedures stress your body. Anaesthesia may be involved, and you may need to take pre- or post-treatment medication. “Whether or not you will be able to tolerate these stresses successfully is determined in part by your past medical history,” explains Dr Marcells.

During your in-person consult, a trained professional with the experience to identify red flags will ask about:

• Medications and supplements you are taking
• Lifestyle habits (including smoking, drinking, and coping with stress)
• Recent health changes (weight gain or less)
• Past illnesses
• Past surgeries and procedures

It’s Not a Go Until You’re in the Know

A well-informed patient is a patient who is 100% more likely to have a good outcome whether they have chosen a deep plane facelift or dermal fillers. During a consultation, a trained surgeon, is the only person qualified to

• Determine whether the procedure you’ve chosen will yield the benefits you desire

• Assess whether your facial anatomy supports the choice you’ve made

• Explain the risks of the procedure

• Advise you in pre- and post-procedure care

• Discuss downtime and recovery in detail

“Your face-to-face consultation is also your opportunity to meet and to get to know your surgeon,” says Dr Marcells. “It’s important that the person you choose makes you feel comfortable, confident, and relaxed about moving forward.”

The Draw-Back of Same Day Consults

A same-day consultation may sometimes be scheduled just before a non-invasive treatment, but it is not advisable. “You may learn things about your chosen treatment that you didn’t know before,” says Dr Marcells. “Scheduling your consult in advance allows you to think about what you’ve learned, do additional research, and review the information supplied by our office.”

Furthermore, “There are many things patients can do prior to a treatment to improve their results,” says Dr Marcells. He points to microneedling with the dermapen as a prime example. “Three days prior to this treatment, patients need to stop using any of these products:

• Essential fatty acids (Vitamin E, Fish Oil, plant based oils and Omega 3s)
• Ginseng
• Gingko biloba
• St John’s wort
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) (including but not limited to) glycolic, lactic or malic acid
• Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) including salicylic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Retinoids (including but not limited to) tretinoin, retinol and retinaldehyde
• Hydroquinone
• High levels of kojic or azelaic acid

Another problem with just-before-treatment consults has to do with downtime and recovery. “Some patients tolerate procedures extremely well and can return to work almost immediately while others need more time to heal,” explains Dr Marcells. “During a consult, we learn about a patient’s medical background, pain tolerance, and more, so we can advise when it would be best to schedule a treatment at lunchtime, in the evening, before the weekend, etc.”

Book Your Consultation & Get Ready for Gorgeous

Want to learn more about the beautifying treatments and procedures we offer at About Face in Edgecliff? Terrific! We invite you to contact us today and to come see us soon.