Clear up the hype about cosmetic surgery

Dear Dr. McCollough: What could I learn from a consultation with a facial or plastic surgeon?

Dear Reader: Before you decide on any cosmetic procedure, you should consider taking with a plastic surgeon. You may learn that some of the socalled "minimally invasive" or "non-invasive" procedures actually cost more than surgery that lasts.

When you call for an appointment, ask for the staff to send printed materials or go on line and review the information about the doctor, his/her staff, facilities, training, experience, and the procedures and products offered. Study the patient information material before you see the doctor. If you do, you will be better informed and be in a position to ask better questions. Making hurried decisions and allowing convenience to overshadow the issue of surgical competence can be costly in both dollars and results.

Surgeons with more experience and expertise is generally in great demand, and therefore it may take longer to get an appointment with such a surgeon, so think of that as a compliment to the surgeon.

The surgeon you want to perform your procedures will take enough time to explain the options available to you, the limitations, and risks of surgery as well as the benefits of surgery. He or she will discuss post-operative instructions and explain when you may resume normal activities.

At the McCollough Plastic Surgery Clinic, we strive to develop a long term professional relationship with our patients. And we believe that honesty is the best policy. Misunderstandings and misconceptions can often be avoided when the involved parties enter into a venture with mutual trust and realistic expectations.

The McCollough Plastic Surgery Consumer Information Network allows patients to gather important information and submit photographs for a no-cost, no-obligation surgical analysis before seeing the surgeon.

The McCollough Plastic Surgery Consumer Information Centers have offices in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida and provide consumers with FREE information about cosmetic surgery procedures.