Cosmetic surgery can do wonders to repair, rejuvenate or enhance your body – and, with that, your self-confidence. But it can be a big decision, depending on what sort of procedure you’re considering. What’s best for you will be different than what’s best for someone else, and there are many things to think about. Ultimately, you’ll want to schedule a personal consultation with the cosmetic surgeon(s) you are considering, because choosing your surgeon is the biggest decision of all.

Here are 5 things you will certainly want to consider before your consultation with Dr. Brady Harris, here at Image Surgical Arts.

1. Before & After Photos

We always recommend that you review photos of patients similar to you who have undergone the procedure you are considering, so you can get a realistic idea about your own potential results. Most importantly, review patient photos of procedures performed by the surgeon you’re considering, because this is the person who will determine your own results.

But pictures don’t always tell the whole story, so be prepared to ask more questions during your consultation. After all, results are the bottom line — the whole point of getting surgery in the first place – and your body and desires are what matters most.

2. Comparing Apples to Apples

This can be harder than you might think. Yes, you talked with more than one cosmetic surgeon, explaining your aesthetic concerns and goals. But treatment proposals will likely vary from one surgical practice to another because approaches and technical capabilities differ.

For example, you may have asked about Tummy Tuck. Here at Image Surgical Arts, we might recommend liposuction and Renuvion for sculpting your body and skin tightening instead of traditional surgery. Or one surgeon may plan on performing liposuction in just one area, such as the flanks, rather than multiple areas. These differences can affect your overall surgical experience as well as the ultimate cost.

3. And Speaking of Cost…

Everyone cares about this, it’s perfectly normal. Some types of surgery can be quite expensive, especially if you’ll need multiple procedures to achieve final results, such as after massive weight loss. Comparing costs is part of comparing surgeons and making a smart decision that makes you feel comfortable.

You definitely want to get a cost estimate before making your final decision, but do not simply compare the bottom line of each proposal. This is a common mistake, and it can result in unexpected costs later on. The key is to find out everything that you could be charged for, then to ask if the estimate is all-inclusive or not.

To illustrate, many surgeons use an outside surgical center or a hospital to perform procedures, so they will charge for facility fees and possibly additional personnel such as anesthesiologists or surgical nurses. Here at Image Surgical Arts, we have our own surgical center, so you won’t receive separate bills from outside entities. The price you are quoted includes surgical fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, post-operative visits, surgical garments and more.

Some types of surgery require special post-procedure garments, medications, etc. And every surgery requires post-procedure office visits to ensure your recovery is on track. If you can’t clearly see whether these things are included, ask. Again, the cost estimate you receive from Image Surgical Arts will be all-inclusive, so you won’t have to wonder or worry about additional fees later on.

4. How You Plan to Pay

Understanding the charges you can expect from each surgeon is vital, but once you have a number, how will you pay the bill? All patients at Image Surgical Arts have some type of financing available to them. That might be a standard credit card. However, a popular option is Care Credit — a credit card designed specifically for healthcare expenses that allows no-interest repayment options when approved by your provider.

We also have some patients who choose to get bank financing for more extensive surgeries. They can get a cash discount, then make payments as agreed with their bank.

We are happy to sit down with you and discuss your personal situation. Then, we can make financing suggestions that make the most sense for you.

5. When You Have to Pay

Be clear about this as well. Will you have to pay all or part up front?

The more questions you ask prior to and during your consultation with Dr. Harris, the more comfortable and confident that you are making a great decision for your body and your future. When you feel comfortable and confident going into surgery, your recovery will be far less stressful. And that’s the pathway to best results.

If you have more questions and don’t want to wait until your consultation call or text 615-499-4224. We’re happy to help.