The last thing you want is to find out after your cosmetic surgery procedure that there was one vital fact about it that you did not know. A good plastic surgeon and/or his staff will do their best to make sure you are fully briefed, but you also need to take responsible for getting the crucial information. After all, it's your body, so put invest the effort up front--it's guaranteed to pay dividends later on.

Here's a few questions you must get the answer to before your cosmetic surgery procedure:

• Are there any less-invasive methods that can deliver a similar result?
• What side effects can I expect?
• How many of my procedure have you performed?
• What are the possible complications of my procedure? How often have you seen these complications among your patients?
• What is my healing period going to be? How long will I need someone to take care of me / help around the house?
• How long will it take before the final results are evident?
• How likely is it that my cosmetic results will not be as good as desired?
• Are retreatments necessary? How often?

If you get answers to these questions before your procedure, it is much less likely you will have regrets later.

To talk about your cosmetic procedure and get all your questions answered, please contact Face Beautiful Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery today to set up your consultation.

Before undergoing your cosmetic surgery procedure, you have to sign what is known as an "informed consent" form. But what does informed consent really mean? In general, informed consent includes:

• Discussion of the procedure with a nurse and (if you request it) the doctor who will perform the procedure
• Presentation of reasonable alternatives
• Complete disclosure of the benefits, risks, and recovery period following your procedure
• Assessment, by the nurse and/or doctor of your level of understanding of the procedure

Only after all these steps have been followed are you allowed to accept the procedure. Then, following your acceptance, the doctor should also confirm that:

• You are competent to decide your healthcare decisions
• Your consent is voluntary

Some procedures have extensive lists of risks and complications, and you may be provided with a packet of material to read before agreeing to the procedure.

At Face Beautiful Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we always make sure you are fully informed about all aspects of your procedure before going ahead. We are doctors, not salesmen, and only perform procedures that we believe are in your best interest. If you are considering any cosmetic surgery procedure, please contact us to set up your initial consultation, and we will make sure you get all the information you need to make an informed decision.