- Consultation Questions
Doctor Consultation Questionnaire
Why can a psychiatrist offer Botox, an oral surgeon market breast reductions, or an ER doctor provide liposuction surgery? Any medical doctor in the United States can call him/herself a "cosmetic surgeon" and offer cosmetic procedure services regardless of training or experience.So how do you pick? We consulted the RealSelf Editorial Advisory Panel to create a list of questions to ask your doctor or clinic before allowing them to work on you.
Name of Practice ___________________________
Name of Doctor ____________________________
Phone ___________________________________
Date(s) I Called ______________________________
1) Are you board-certified?
Does this board represent the type of procedure I want?
(Examples: ABPS, ABFPRS, ABD, ABOto, ABO)
YES
NO
(Examples: ABPS, ABFPRS, ABD, ABOto, ABO)
YES
NO
2) Did you do a residency and/or fellowship for this type of procedure?
YES
NO (What training to do you have for this procedure?) __________________________________________________________
NO (What training to do you have for this procedure?) __________________________________________________________
3) Do you perform this procedure on a regular basis?
4) Can I see before and after photos of your patients?
5) Are your state and board records free from disciplinary events?
YES
NO (Please explain) __________________________________________
NO (Please explain) __________________________________________
6) Will you (the doctor) be performing this procedure?
YES
NO (Why not and who will?) ______________________________________________
If you circled “No” to two or more of these questions, your doctor may not be a specialist for the cosmetic procedure you desire. Consider moving on with your search.
NO (Why not and who will?) ______________________________________________
If you circled “No” to two or more of these questions, your doctor may not be a specialist for the cosmetic procedure you desire. Consider moving on with your search.
For surgical procedures, also ask:
7) Do you have hospital privileges for this procedure?
8) Is this procedure performed in:
One of the below?
- Hospital?
- Outpatient surgery center?
- Office?
- Office-based surgery center?
NO: none of the above
If office or surgery center, is it:
Circle one or more:
- Licensed by the state?
- Certified by Medicare?
- And/or accredited by: JCAHO / AAAASF / AAAHC?
NO: none of the above
9) Can I speak with a previous patient who had this procedure?
10) Is the anesthesiologist board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology?
YES
NO (What is his/her qualifications?) _____________________________________
If you circled “No” for any of these questions, you may be incurring additional risks. Make sure that you are comfortable with your surgeon, his/her staff, and the facility before proceeding.
Other Helpful Questions
- Do you think my goals are realistic? If no, why not?
- How often do patients having this surgery require revision? What is your revision policy?
- In case of an emergency during surgery in outpatient center/office, what procedures do you have in place?
Check out tips and information from other medical authorities:
