Can you explain the difference between the consultation and the pre-op appointment and what is accomplished during both visits?

Thank you for your question, Dan8595! At your consultation the doctor will hear all of your concerns and discuss with you your best options. Once a surgery or surgeries are decided upon you will pick a surgery date. Prior to that surgery date you’ll be required to have a preop clearance as well as bloodwork from your primary care physician. Once those are obtained and you are cleared for surgery you will come in for a preop appointment which will go over all of the clearance information, bloodwork, any medical history, and any medications you currently take. This is important to ensure your safety for the procedure. At this preop appointment you will also be informed on what you should do up until your procedure and how to take care of yourself after your procedure. They will go over any postop medications you’ll be taking and discuss what you will be expecting as your healing. They will also use this time to answer any questions that you might have. Preop appointments are very important to ensure that patients are fully aware of what to expect and have everything that they need to be prepared for their surgery, and for after their surgery. We do provide E- consultations through our website, if this is something that you’re interested in! Best of luck to you.

Thank you for your question.  Different offices may do things a little differently when it comes to your consultation & pre op. Primarily, at your consultation you will meet the doctor, see if the doctor is a good fit for you, go over your goals, how to obtain said goals, cost and scheduling your surgery.  This process may take more than one consultation.  Pre OP is done before your surgery to finalize paperwork, payment and go over pre & post op instructions.  We break it up so the processing isn't overwhelming and you feel confident in your decisions.  First objective is to identify what procedure(s) will give you the end result you desire that fits into your budget and lifestyle. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals.  Best of luck!
Dr Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon
Chicago
Hoffman Estates 
Oakbrook 
Orland Park

The answer to this question will depend not only upon the protocols of the board certified PS, but also on his/her experience, education, training and staff.  A consultation in my PS practice includes the following:  upon arrival, spend a few minutes filling out forms documenting the procedures in which you are interested, what you want to change about your body and why, and your past and current medical history. One of my nurses reviews the responses, escorts you to an exam room and asks if you have any questions to ask her.  The nurse leaves to summarizes your paperwork to the PS who will meet you in a few minutes. A "Q and A" period begins to determine how you want to change your body and the recommended procedures for you to reach your goals.  The PS will determine if you are a good candidate for the recommended procedures based on the exam and your medical history. Type of anesthesia, safety of the accredited surgery center, typical recovery, risks and complications, and any other concerns you may have maybe discussed.  The PS will then walk you to the patient coordinator's office where she will explain the costs, financing, scheduling, cancellation policy, etc.  If you book that day, pre-op instructions will be provided along with prescriptions, and lab test requirements.  If you do not book that day, the patient coordinator will follow up with you in a few days to determine if you have additional questions or concerns.During the pre-op visit, which usually occurs a day or two before surgery, lab test reports are reviewed, the type of anesthesia is explained, any remaining questions you have about the surgery or recovery will be answered, instructions for the person responsible for picking you up after surgery, follow-up appointments, traveling, consent forms, exercise during recovery, diet, etc. will be discussed. You want to make sure you and your PS concur with the procedures to be performed.  If you want to add any procedures to those already scheduled, payment and consent forms will be updated.