Before You Book: 10 Questions Every Utah Plastic Surgery Patient Should Ask
Choosing a plastic surgery doctor is personal—really personal. You’re placing your trust in someone to determine how you will see yourself in the mirror each morning.
We’ve been doing this for years at Utah Cosmetic Surgery, and honestly? The patients who end up the happiest are the ones who come in asking tough questions. These aren’t just polite, superficial inquiries, but rather, they are the genuine, meaningful ones.
Here’s what we think you should know before you book anything.
Board Certification (Yes, It Actually Matters)
“Are your surgeons board-certified?” You’d be shocked how many people skip this question. Look for a certification from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or the American Board of Plastic Surgeons to ensure that your surgeons went through years of specialized training—not just a weekend course. You can verify any surgeon through the plastic surgery society’s directory. It only requires two minutes and could potentially prevent years of regret.
Your Surgery Location Matters More Than You Think
Too many patients spend all of their research time focusing on their surgeon when they should also be investigating the cosmetic surgery center where the procedure will take place.
Facility accreditation through AAAASF means the operating room meets hospital-grade safety standards. At our surgery suite, we’re proud to show off our accreditation certificates. Any practice worth considering should do the same.
The Numbers Game Nobody Wants to Talk About
This is where things get awkward, but we’re going there anyway. You should always ask your plastic surgery doctor what their complication rate is. Good practices keep their major outpatient complications, such as hospitalization or major infections, under 1%, while minor complications, such as rashes, can be more common. Revision rates? That depends on what you’re having done—nose jobs need touch-ups about 5-10% of the time.
If your surgeon gets defensive about statistics, that tells you everything you need to know.
Ask to See Their Work
You should ask to see their before and after plastic surgery pictures—not stock photos from some medical website. Not “similar cases.” Your surgeon’s actual work. Real practices maintain galleries of their results—unedited, authentic photos.
Our gallery features cases that may not appear “perfect” because they reflect the realities of life. Cookie-cutter results usually mean cookie-cutter surgery.
Plastic Surgery Cost
When someone asks how much plastic surgery costs, most places quote the surgeon’s fee, but that’s not the whole story. You’re also paying for the facility, anesthesia, pre-op work, post-op care, medications, garments—the list goes on.
We don’t do ballpark numbers here because every case is different. But we do give detailed written estimates so there aren’t any surprises later. Give us a call to schedule a personal consultation.
Recovery: The Reality Check
Another important question to ask your plastic surgeon is what your recovery timeline is and what kind of aftercare you should expect. Most procedures typically follow a pattern: they are rough during the first few days, show gradual improvement over the following weeks, and reveal the final results months later. But ultimately some people heal faster, some slower. Your surgeon should explain what might affect your timeline, not give you generic answers.
Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work
Every consultation starts the same way: “What would you do if this was your family member?” Every individual is unique. Each individual has a unique anatomy, healing process, and set of goals. Your cosmetic surgery center should adapt their approach to you—not the other way around.
Anesthesia: More Important Than You Think
Your options for anesthesia typically range from local numbing for minor things to full general anesthesia. The difference? Your comfort and safety.
Modern pain management uses multiple approaches—not just “take these pills and tough it out.” Your team should explain their specific approach, not brush off your concerns.
Pre-Surgery: Do Your Homework
Understanding what you need to do to prepare for your surgery is important. Basic prep includes medical clearance, medication adjustments, and skin preparation. And if you’re a smoker, you should quit smoking at least a month before surgery; we’ve seen many healing problems from people who didn’t.
Financing for Plastic Surgery: Making It Work
Not everyone has cash sitting around for a procedure that could change their life. That’s why financing for plastic surgery options exists. Most of our patients use some form of financing, and there’s no shame in that. We’d rather see you get the surgery you want done right than watch you cut corners to save money.
You shouldn’t finance a procedure if you can’t realistically make the payments, though. Surgery is elective—your financial stability isn’t. We’ve seen too many people get excited about their results only to stress about payments later.
We accept financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Mountain America. Call us for plan options, or refer to our complete financing information to see what might work for your situation. We’re pretty upfront about costs and options because surprises help nobody.
Are You Ready to Start Asking Questions?
This is more than just finding a plastic surgeon near you. It’s about finding the right surgeon for you. The practices worth your time will welcome these questions. The ones that don’t? Well, that tells you something too.
When you’re ready for honest conversations about your goals, we’re here. Our team believes the best surgical outcomes start with informed patients—and we’re committed to giving you the straight answers you deserve.
