Getting it Right...the First Time

Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 to PROFILES > Physician Referral Services

Posted by The Original Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Surgery Magazine

Hiring your own surgical consultant is becoming a growing trend among people considering cosmetic surgery. Anita Catalano spoke to four consultants to find out what it's all about.

Making the decision to go ahead with cosmetic surgery is difficult enough. But where do you start? There are literally tens of thousands of doctors across the country who specialize in dozens of different non-surgical and surgical cosmetic procedures. For example, there can be more than six types of doctors who specialize in blepharoplasty - so who do you choose?

A growing band of professionals is surfacing across the country and also in Canada to help people make informed decisions when it comes to choosing a cosmetic or plastic surgeon.

Not only do these professionals offer advice on different doctors and procedures they'll also hold your hand through the whole event, and even be there to soften the blow of bruising and swelling following surgery.

Wendy Lewis, who consults patients in New York and London, says she's more like a therapist.

"Part of my job is similar to that of a best friend," she said. "I'm there for them to talk to and everything that is said remains confidential."

Gail Foster Zanville, a consultant in Los Angeles, agrees. "I go through the whole process with them. I see them before surgery and in recovery," she said. "I'm a support person because a lot of people don't want to tell their friends, so I'm there for them."

Many consultants find that prospective patients are often too afraid to ask the right questions. Zanville said too many patients come away from the surgeon's office without getting the information they need. "Some people see a doctor for 20 minutes then see me for an hour and ask questions they weren't comfortable asking a doctor," she said.

The range of services the consultant offers depends on the patient, but the role also includes providing people with comprehensive advice and information on doctors and various procedures. They will even help compile a list of appropriate questions to ask the surgeon and the right answers to seek.

"My role is sorting out what the options are, how to plan and how to schedule the operation," Lewis said.

"I give them web site information, brochures from doctors - basically I save patients a lot of time and money." One of the most important factors is that surgical consultants will direct patients to surgeons who are not subject to malpractice suits.

Patricia Burgess, who runs a practice in Marietta, Georgia, screens the credentials of doctors before nominating them to patients.

"We look at things such as malpractice history and the national practitioner data bank," she said.

Wendy Levine, who claims to be the only surgical consultant in Canada, said she devises a holistic and educational plan for the patient, considering lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise "There's no point in having a great set of breasts when the rest of you is a total mess," she said.

"If you are smoking and drinking to excess, you are not going to maintain surgical results anyway." Levine said she helps people get it right the first time. "I've had a lot of surgery and I had to go through multiple surgeries to get it right," she said.

"The problem is doctors often don't have time to explain all the options." A consultant is at your disposal to answer all your questions and inquiries and address your fears.

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