Your Visit | Carilion Cosmetic

Step One

Get to Know Your Physician

Your surgeon should clearly explain his or her credentials, education, training and experience. Also ask about your surgeon's background.
Step Two

Honest Discussion

A clear understanding of the process, from scheduling the procedure through post-surgery recovery, will help you make a more informed decision. During your initial consultation, your surgeon should ask you about your concerns and motivations for pursuing surgery and explain reasonable expectations for the procedure outcome. The surgeon will use images and diagrams to facilitate communication.
Step Three

Clinical Exam

The surgeon's exam consists of measuring and, depending on the procedure, rules out masses or other pathology. A registered nurse is present throughout the exam and will complete the consultation by taking photos of the intended surgical site. These will be used to track your results and sent home with you after the procedure.
Step Four

Post-Consultation

The surgeon’s exam consistent of a clinical exam of the surgical area of concern. She will review pricing and options, and schedule procedures.

Things to Consider

Cosmetic surgery and aesthetic services can help improve your appearance, but may not be appropriate for everyone. Before any surgical or aesthetic procedure, make sure you are informed about facility safety regulations and staff license and certifications.

Surgical Suite

Safe operating rooms must be accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), like the onsite surgical suite at our Roanoke office.

Anesthesiologist

At our facility, anesthesia is administered by a board-certified or board-eligible anesthesiologist.

Board-Certified

Plastic surgeons who complete 6-8 years of specialized training after medical school and pass written and oral exams are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Hospital Privileges

Our surgeons have privileges to perform the same procedure at a local hospital and have the ability to admit patients to that hospital in the event of an emergency.

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Top Questions to Ask During a Consultation

1
Are your physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?: To become certified in plastic surgery, a physician must be Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and complete additional training as specified by the Member Board.

2
How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?: Properly trained and certified surgeons must have completed at least 6 years of ABPS approved surgical training with a minimum of three years in plastic surgery.

3
Is your surgical suite onsite? Is it accredited?: An accredited facility is one that must meet strict national standards for equipment, operating room safety, personnel and surgeon credentials. Ask for specific accreditation names and verify the accreditation status through aaaasf.org.

4
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?: Regardless of the location of the surgical facility, your surgeon and anesthesiologist should have approved hospital privileges for the procedure and should be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Anesthesiology.

5
What emergency plans and equipment are in place to provide for my needs in the event of an emergency?: Despite thorough training of physicians and staff and accreditation of facilities, emergencies can occur during an office procedure. Carilion Cosmetic Center is accredited and fully equipped with a life-saving AED, crash cart and medication required to treat a patient within the first thirty minutes of a medical emergency. In addition, all of our surgeons have unrestricted hospital privileges in order to transport you and continue your care in a hospital setting.

6
Who administers the anesthesia?: At our facility, anesthesia is administered by a board-certified or board-eligible anesthesiologist or certified nurse anesthetist. The person providing anesthesia should have no responsibilities during the procedure other than to administer aesthesia and monitor the patient. In other words, your surgeon should not administer anesthesia and perform the surgery.

7
What will happen during my procedure, start to finish?: Some surgeons use computer simulation images to project what you might look like after surgery. Note that these images represent an ideal goal and do not guarantee your outcome, skill of the surgeon, or serve as a warranty of your surgery. Images and diagrams facilitate communication between you and your surgeon, helping you understand one another’s opinions and preferences. They also may be used to demonstrate potential incision sites.

8
Where will my family be while I am in surgery?: Approved family names and contact information should be given to your surgical team prior to your procedure. Family members will have a secluded comfortable waiting area for the duration of your surgery.

9
Do you have an Aesthetician on-site for non-surgical cosmetic procedures?: Carilion Cosmetic Center offers aesthetic consultations with a medical aesthetician for any surgical or non-surgical candidate.

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