The Consultation

The goal of the consultation is education and information. This is a chance for you to express your concerns, to learn about the various options to achieve your goals, and to meet and feel comfortable with practitioner and the staff. At the same time they are afforded an opportunity to get to know you as a person and your expectations as a potential patient.

Once you explain to your practitioner the goals for your visit, it will be your turn to ask questions. Below is a list of basic questions that will help you determine if the practitioner is right for you and your procedure.

• How long have they been in practice?
• How much experience do they have with your procedure or type of procedure?
• Do they have a book of "before and after" pictures?
• How do they believe the procedure should be handled?
• What is their time frame for its completion?
• How will you be expected to participate in your procedure?
• Will they provide you with phone numbers of patients who have undergone procedures in which you are interested?
• Will they provide a fee agreement that details fees, expenses, billing and payment?
• Do they have any financing options?

Once you have met with the practitioner, explained your case and had your questions answered, there are some questions you should ask yourself.

• Will I feel comfortable working closely with this person?
• Do I feel confident in the practitioner's experience and skill to handle my procedure?
• Do I understand the practitioner's explanation of what my procedure involves?
• Do I understand the proposed fee agreement?

If you feel comfortable with the practitioner and confident that his/her experience is adequate for your procedure you have probably found a good match. Asking and answering the above questions will go a long way in determining if this is the ideal practitioner for you.