What Questions Should I Ask in Chin/jowl Liposuction Consultation?

Congratulations on taking the first steps to improve the appearance of your chin/jowl area with cosmetic surgery! This procedure yields a fantastic result, and it will greatly enhance your profile. It's great that you are doing a little bit of homework ahead of time to ensure you are prepared for your pre-op appointment. For starters, you will want to ensure you are in good hands for the procedure. I would recommend that you confirm your surgeon:

1) Is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
2) Has a good amount of before and after photos so you may get an idea of their results
3) Has fantastic patient testimonials
4) Has a great amount of experience performing your particular procedure

It is also good to get an idea of what to expect after surgery, what activities to avoid, and how to care for the area in the days/weeks following your procedure. In addition, I would recommend you request a computer morphed photo from your surgeon, which will usually be generated during your pre-op appointment. This will help you get an idea of how your profile may appear following surgery. A morphed photo will also serve as a fantastic communication tool between you and your surgeon. Thanks and best of luck!

You want to ensure that your plastic surgeon is board-certified. You also want to make sure that your procedure is performed in a safe and certified surgical facility. Find a plastic surgeon that you trust and develops rapport with you. Lastly, look at their pre- and post-procedure photos and make sure that they have the skill to provide the results you desire. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

First and foremost, is the procedure you are planning to have the optimal operation for your situation?  We perform such laser-assisted liposuction in our office facility and find it very helpful for many patients.  However, when there is significant excess skin and and banding, it may not provide much improvement.  Regardless, in experienced hands, there is little downside to the procedure and, at a minimum, you will likely see improvement.  You want to ask your physician a few questions:

* how many of these have you done and can you show me some before and after photos?

* what should I expect after surgery (anesthesia needs, dressings, swelling, pain, how long away from exercise and normal activities, etc.)?

* what can I expect as a realistic result?

* should I be considering additional procedures (e.g. skin tightening via radiofrequecy or ultrasonic devices, or neck surgery)?

Finally, when choosing a physician, the key is that your physician is experienced and can show you their favorable results for your type of situation, not just "Board" certification.

Best of luck!