Choice is Power

Having the right information is essential for the decision-making process about whether or not to go ahead with a facial plastic surgery procedure.

You know what result you want to achieve. Informed consent shows you understand the steps that will be taken to achieve this; the risks; the downtime. A full consideration.

Making an informed decision takes into account:

• Do you understand the steps involved in the procedure?
• Have all your questions about the procedure been answered?
• Do you feel like you have been listened to?
• Do you have a sense that your surgeon understands what outcomes you want to achieve?
• Have the risks been discussed?
• Do you have a sense of what happens after surgery, including recovery time?

The process for ensuring you’re in a position to make an informed consent in my practice is as follows:

1. Book in for your first consultation. In this first meeting with me, I take the time to listen to you. This is all about communication – firstly hearing from you what it is you wish to address and achieve from a facial plastic surgery procedure. Whether it’s a facelift, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, eyelid or eyebrow procedure the first step is always about sharing your concerns and desires. I then assess and provide feedback about what is possible for you. I also provide an overview of the process involved.
2. Next, my Practice Manager, Jacqui provides you with a quote and we follow this up by sending you a detailed information pack. It is important that you take the time to read through this and consider things fully.
3. Many patients, in their own time, then choose to book in for their procedure. We schedule the surgery and another pre-surgery consultation.
4. In this pre-surgery consultation, we go through more detail about what is involved and ensure you understand the necessary steps to take to optimise your experience. We discuss in detail expectations and possible complications, and their treatment. There will also be considerations, instructions and advice offered to help you best prepare for the surgery and your care afterwards.
5. At every step of the process I encourage you to ask any questions and I address these.
6. Finally, it is a requirement to sign a consent form.

For a valid consent, it is important that it is given voluntarily in response to an understanding of the procedure options and with no sense of coercion, pressure or manipulation. An informed consent factors in decision making capacity, documentation of consent, disclosure and competency.

See NSW Health for more details.

The decision about whether or not to go ahead with a facial plastic surgery procedure is yours.

Ten days post primary rhinoplasty

For more information, contact us.

Main photo: Three weeks post Deep Plane Face and Necklift. Outcomes experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect what another person may experience. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks which we discuss in detail as well as answering any of your questions during consultation.