Having plastic surgery is a very personal event in your life. Aesthetic plastic surgery not only can change your appearance, but also improve your self-confidence. Your selection of a surgeon is as important as your decision to undergo cosmetic surgery itself.
The selection a cosmetic plastic surgeon can often be an overwhelming task. Through years of experience as a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hoefflin has developed a number of helpful recommendations that can guide you through the consultation easily and comfortably. These suggestions can increase the probability that that you would acquire the greatest amount of beneficial information about your plastic surgery procedure of interest.
To get the most out of your consultation, Dr. Hoefflin suggests doing the following things:
1. Prepare yourself with some fundamental background on your procedure of interest. This will maximize the efficiency of your time being spent, and allow such time to be devoted to your particular questions of interest. Review ahead of time your surgeon’s website and explanation of procedures.
2. Create a list of specific questions or concerns to discuss with Dr. Hoefflin, as it can provide some desired direction for your conversation. For more thorough results, have follow up questions ready. This way, you can leave the consultation with as much information as possible.
3. Do your best to book your consultation on a day where you will be able to set aside 90 minutes to be in our office. We want to be sure to give you a sufficient amount of time to have the doctor answer all of your questions.
4. Bring along photographs of similar results you would like to achieve. This may mean photos of you when you were younger, before you had kids, or of models in magazines or catalogues. This assists Dr. Hoefflin in better understanding your aesthetic goals and facilitating the necessary steps in achieve the look you desire.
5. Patients who seek facial rejuvenation should bring in photos of his or herself from a time when they felt the most radiant to get the most natural result. Dr. Hoefflin further recommends bringing in photographs, if you are a female, of your mother, or if you are a male, of your father, for hereditary comparisons.
6. Breast augmentation patients are recommended to bring in bras or swimsuit tops to assist Dr. Hoefflin in better predicting the desired future size of your breast implant surgery.
7. Come in with a supportive friend or family member if the both of you are able and willing. Not only will their presence make you feel more comfortable, but they also serve as another source for questions. Additionally, your companion will have a better sense of what to expect during your recovery.
8. Although children are always welcome, we advise you not to bring them. We consistently hear from patients who bring their children in that they wished they hadn’t because they made it difficult to focus on the discussion at hand.
9. A week before your appointment, we will send over your patient intake forms. It is advised that they be completed beforehand to save time once you arrive at the office.
10. If you think the procedure you are considering might be covered by your health insurance, i.e. breast reduction or rhinoplasty/septoplasty, it would be beneficial for you to contact your insurance carrier to verify that your procedure of interest is in fact covered, or medically necessary. If you can, bring any forms sent to you by the insurance company. It saves significant time and gives us the opportunity to submit your claim to your insurance company quicker and more efficiently.
11. Understand that there may be needed lab work or tests to proceed with the surgery. All patients over the age of 50 must have an EKG, while all breast surgery patients over 35 must have a mammogram. If you would like to have the surgery soon after your consultation, it is a good idea to schedule those prior to the appointment.
12. Write down your current medications and allergies, if any. Provide Dr. Hoefflin with a copy of your medication list for your medical records.
13. If you are coming in for a corrective surgery, and have medical records from that previous surgery. Be prepared ahead of time with possible surgery dates and a surgical deposit to hold your date.
14. If you are interested or planning on financing your procedure, you can visit our website under ‘Financing’ to complete the online loan applications and obtain any information regarding such loans.
15. For visiting or out-of-state patients, Dr. Hoefflin lists valuable travel and hotel accommodation information on our website.
Dr. Hoefflin is a Los Angeles and Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons. He specializes in all aspects of cosmetic plastic surgery.
To schedule your complimentary consultation contact Southern California board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin.