All too often patients will come in and ask for a specific procedure. They may have read about this specific procedure or know someone that had the procedure. While it is good to ask about certain procedures and see if they would be beneficial, one must be aware that what benefits one person may not benefit another in the same way. Alternatively, there may be other options that are better, more cost effective, or safer. In short, everyone’s needs are different.
Focus on a result, not a specific procedure
A better approach is to state your concerns and desired result. Then ask what is recommended to achieve your goals. After one has heard what is recommended, one can then ask about specific procedures and why it was or was not recommended.
In the case of facial rejuvenation, one procedure alone may not achieve the desired results. For example, fine lines are often treated with chemical peels, ablative laser peels, non-ablative laser peels, Ultherapy, and fillers. Lines that are exacerbated by movement, such as frown lines, Crow’s feet, or forehead furrows are often treated with toxins. Deeper lines are often treated with fillers, threadlift, or facelift. Age spots and/or telangiectasia are often treated with lasers or IPL.
For many patients one treatment alone will not achieve the desired results. Instead a combination of different treatments can be used.
What does Dr. Bader recommend?
- Do not get fixated on a specific procedure. Instead, know what bothers you and listen on what can be done to achieve your desired result.
- Ask questions. Know why a specific procedure is recommended and why one is not. Know the risks and benefits of each as well as their limitations. If you are “interested” in a specific procedure because a friend had it or you read about it, ask about it. Ask how the result from that procedure differs from what is recommended.
- Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. Cost is always a factor, and sometimes what someone needs to achieve their desired result is out of their price range. It may be best to save up for the most effective procedure(s) and not waste money on procedures that will give disappointing results and then make the best procedure even more unaffordable.
Dr. Bader is a fellowship trained Cosmetic Surgeon Practicing in Deerfield Beach, FL.