Do all Plastic Surgeons have a pre-op appointment to go over Breast Augmentation - size, etc?

I generally see my patients in their first consultation to determine the suitability of the surgery. Implant size can be determined at this time, and the patient is free to change their mind before their surgery. It is unusual that you won't be seeing your PS until the day of surgery in my opinion. Who verified that the surgery is medically sound for you?  How do you know if you're comfortable with your PS if you've never met them before? To be honest, I would seek another PS.

Thanks for your question.In our office we see patients pre-operatively to go over the size.We have the patients try different sized recommended based on their breast chest width.Hope this was helpful.Dr sajjadian

Thank you for your question. Making sure that you have the right size implants ready to go for the patient is critically important to a happy patient.  I generally spend 30 minutes to an hour with the patient reviewing breast implant sizes during the initial consult or pre-op visit.  I believe this creates a foundation for excellent doctor-patient relationship  extraordinarily happy patients with thier final breast size.  If you're doubting that your surgeon knows what size you would like to be than I would make them aware of it. A good doctor-patient relationship is critical and if you don't feel comfortable I would seek another physician

Certainly, every surgeon will have their own particular way of handling the peri-operative details. It is hard to know what most surgeons do and if your experience is the norm or not. I personally would think it best to see your surgeon in a pre op appointment and would think that most surgeons do this. In my practice, I think that it is the most important visit and gives me a chance to make for certain that all questions are answered, the informed consent is completely understood, that the plan for surgery is clear, and that there there have not been any changes in the physical exam. I don't think that you are as "stuck" as you might think. I don't think that it would be problematic to just courteously insist on a pre-op appointment with the surgeon that you have chosen. But if you do not feel comfortable with your choice, $500 in the big scope of things is a small price to pay for the potential for regret. 

I can't speak for what constitutes common practice in other offices but I can tell you that in my practice, patients typically have a pre-operative appointment several days prior to their surgery. Sometimes a patient undergoing breast augmentation will see me the day prior to their surgery if for some reason their schedule will not accommodate any other appointment time, however, these patients are cautioned before hand that they may not be able to change their implant size at that late date. Most patients who elect to wait until the day before surgery are completely sure of which implant size they want. If a patient is unsure, we will have them come in for pre op in time to order another implant if they change their mind. I do not do pre-operative appointments the day of surgery unless I am performing some sort of emergency surgery.

Each plastic surgeon handles consultations differently. In my practice, I like to see patients twice prior to the day of surgery. Once for a consultation and once for a pre-operative appt. For patients who travel from out of state or out of the U.S., I will have a phone consultation if they do not have an in person consult, but there will still be an appointment prior to the day of surgery to finalize discussions about size, placement, etc. If you feel uneasy about anything, share it with your plastic surgeon's office. If they do not respond to your concerns in a way that makes you feel comfortable, perhaps you should consider putting your surgery on hold or finding another plastic surgeon.  

You should meet with the Plastic Surgery a couple of times before surgery- once in consultation and at least once more which is frequetly in the pre- op appointment when everything is finalized including the implant size and type . Do not put off the final decision on implant size until the day of surgery as there is too much else going on that day.. Our feeling has always been to get the patient very involved with implant size decisions so they feel that they have participated. There are surgeons who want to pick the " appropriate " size for you so make sure you are comfortable with how that decision is made..I would be concerned if you are unable to get in to see the Plastic Surgeon before the day of surgery... Good Luck!

From what you have said I too would be concerned.  In my office it is standard to see patients 2 weeks prior to surgery to again go over sizing and the risks etc. of the procedure.  Obviously many patients need this extra time to decide on implant size, type and incision site.  For out of town patients multiple telephone conferences are held.  I might add we do a lot of patients from Canada that frequently recover at my house as my wife is CanadianDr Corbin

Pre op appointments are routine before any plastic surgery. This gives you necessary information to prepare for surgery, your post op care and a chance to discuss your goals and make final decisions about size and other issues.I would be very concerned and would seek a consultation with a different board certified plastic surgeon and ask for your deposit back

That is absolutely inexcusable behavior on your surgeon's part. First, check to see if he is board certified and if he is you would be wise to call the American Board of Plastic Surgery about your treatment. You should insist on a full refund and then go find a surgeon who actually cares about his patients, not just their wallets. Your surgeon should have spent enough personal time with you on your first visit to first determine if you are a candidate for the surgery and done a thorough exam as well as patiently answered all your questions. That is not a job for a nurse. That resoponsibility falls on the surgeon's shoulders.