In a way, picking an aesthetic surgeon is a little like choosing a spouse: Chemistry is just as important as shared values. By telling you a little about where I’m coming from, I hope to give you a head start on deciding if we could be a good match as doctor and patient.
First, because aesthetic surgery is strictly voluntary, I believe that the choice to undergo any such procedure places a unique burden upon both the doctor and the patient to be safe—even a little conservative. This conviction guides everything I do, from my lengthy initial consultations and every preoperative contact to the techniques I use and my comprehensive postoperative care.
Because I strive to deliver results that are both superlative and predictable, I do not rush to adopt new techniques until an advantage is shown and potential risks are well-understood; when meticulously executed, proven methods really do serve most patients better than the “technique du jour.” This is not to say that I do not perform the latest techniques, because I certainly do. In fact, I participate in a great number of clinical trials under strict IRB supervision and am a consultant to a number of companies developing new technologies. But I do not allow these procedures to be “hyped” in my presence unless the data demonstrates safety and efficacy. In fact, I give a recurring lecture, “Hot Topics,” to my colleagues at the annual ASAPS plastic surgery meeting, in which I take a tour of the latest techniques and separate the wheat from the chaff.
I also understand that I am not the best surgeon for all patients. If a patient needs an unusual procedure that I am not adept at, I do not hesitate to help them find the right doctor. If I think a patient is not well suited for surgery, either from a physical or emotional point of view, I will tell them. I see patients every week whose health or appearance would be better served by losing weight than by having liposuction, or who would look younger with dental work as opposed to a face-lift.
While I am committed to delivering exactly what each patient wants, it is inevitable that my own personal aesthetic sense will come into play. I am up-front about my belief in classic, natural, soft beauty. For instance, I generally err on the side of pulling a face less rather than more (in order to avoid the unnaturally tight look that can result from a face-lift), and I believe that huge breast implants not only look and feel unnatural, but are also more likely to cause long-term problems. I also understand that not every patient will share my sense of aesthetics, and I will not proceed with any surgery unless we have reached an agreement.
With those principles in mind, here’s what you can expect from me. First, an unparalleled consultation experience. Many plastic surgeons who offer complimentary meetings actually pass you off to a “cosmetic consultant” or “patient coordinator,” or they may spend only a few moments with you. I schedule a large block of time for each prospective patient, and will always take as much time as you need to discuss your desires and your concerns. There is usually an array of surgical options available, each involving different costs, risks, recoveries, scars, and results. I make it a goal to explore these issues as thoroughly as possible, so that you can make a truly informed choice about what you want done. Whether you have the surgery done by me, by someone else, or not at all, you will be sure to leave my office with a dramatically enhanced understanding of your situation.
This dialogue will continue throughout our entire relationship as doctor and patient. Far too often I hear other surgeons’ patients complain that they didn’t get the results they wanted or expected. This is unacceptable to me, which is why I will explain the implications and consequences of each decision we make together, and stay in constant contact to make sure you know exactly what to expect. I also think it is important to stay in close contact with a patient after surgery. No matter how busy our office gets, you can expect regular follow-ups and the kind of top-notch postoperative care I consider necessary to ensure the best possible results. In fact, I offer patients as many follow-up visits as they need or want after their surgery at no additional cost.
Many patients feel scared about having a cosmetic surgery consultation. I remind patients that this surgery is voluntary—and that if they don’t feel 100 percent sure, then they should not move ahead with it. It’s natural to feel apprehensive about aesthetic surgery. But it’s been my experience that when you’ve found the right surgeon for you, everything will just “click.” You’ll like the staff, the doctor—even the reception area will feel right when you walk in the door. I hope you’ll choose to walk through ours to see if I’m the doctor for you.
Steven Teitelbaum, MD FACS
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