Questions to ask during a LBL consultation.

I read Chachacha's post about questions to ask during a TL consult. Some I hadn't even thought of, but seem vital now.   I am starting to shop around for my LBL doc, can you guys that have had this work or know about about it help me organized my thoughts and questions for when I go for my consults?  I just feel like a babe in the woods. I know so little (and I have been doing heaps of research) that I don't even know what to ask. I want to make sure that the surgery I get is the surgery I think I am going to get.  Thanks

1.  Pain management - what does he give for pain?  what does he do if that's not controlling the pain?

2.  Incision location - will the incision be where you want it.  Bring in your swimsuit bottoms or panties to let him see where you want the incision to be. 

3.  Scar treatment - what does he do/recommend to flatten and lighten the scars?

4.  Drains - yes or no.  If yes, how many and what's the placement.

5.  Belly button placement - make sure you're not going to lose your belly button and get some idea of how he places it.

6.  if he does his surgeries at a surgical suite versus a hospital (and many plastic surgeons do), make sure it's accredited and has an affiliation with a hospital in the event of emergency.  Tour it if you can.

7.  mons lift - just confirm that it's included in the procedure.

8.  Complications - ask what the most common complication are and how he treats them.

9.  Revisions - if you're unhappy with anything, what's his policy on revisions.

Thanks for the input.  Any advise for how to communicate my expectations clearly. the few doc I have seen seem to brush off my fears and expectations and that sets my spider sense off.

If you're talking about expectations of what your body will look like "after" - pictures work.  If you haven't already, go to realself and check out pics of folks that have had LBLs and see what kind of results are available.  Or pull before/after pics off of the surgeon's website and let him tell you whether you're being realistic in what you expect.  If your spidey senses tingle, walk away!  This is major surgery and you need to be comfortable with your surgeon.

A surgeon can tell you about his complication rate, but he can't tell whether YOU will have a complication, or whether you'll keloid, or spit a stitch.  But he can tell you what he does in the event of a complication.

Good luck on your search!

Heck, if they brush you off now, I imagine they would ignore you after surgery! Choose a surgeon whom you can talk to like a friend and be sure that he is excited about the possibilities of your transformation.

Keep in mind, though, the dichotomy that exists between the patient and the physician. While you may be concerned with every little thing, he has seen it all before and worse. Maybe a little prodding here will help you get the answers you seek.