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About the Consultation in Santa Barbara
Because aesthetic surgery is discretionary and highly outcome sensitive, the doctors at Aesthetic Surgical Partners believe that a unique responsibility is placed upon the physician - and the patient - to be safe, prudent, and conservative. The relationship between cosmetic surgeon and patient is almost sacred, based on trust, integrity, mutual respect, and understanding. That truth guides our practice philosophy from our lengthy initial consultations, to successive pre-operative contacts, to the techniques we employ, as well as post-operative care. Whether you are a local Santa Barbara patient or you travel a great distance to see us, we strive to build long term relationships with our patients, beginning with the initial consultation.
Before you arrive at our Santa Barbara office, you will have received a complete information packet introducing you to our physicians, our services, and our experience. Our consultations are particularly lengthy, which is why we charge ($150.) for them. The investment of time in the physician-patient provides the critical foundation of knowledge and expectations for achieving the optimal surgical results you desire. This stands in sharp contrast to many plastic surgeons that offer complimentary consultations, often performed by a "cosmetic consultant" or "patient coordinator." In these scenarios, only a few moments are shared between patient and surgeon. In addition to meeting with your surgeon, you will have an opportunity to meet with your Anesthesiologist (we use only Physicians rather than Nurse Anesthetists) to discuss your options and concerns. You will also meet our Surgical Assistant/Consultant and our O.R. Nurse. Hence, should you choose to book surgery with Aesthetic Surgical Partners, you will never meet anyone for the very first time on the day of surgery. Rather, you will feel as though you are being cared for by your new found friends.
Patients sometimes will ask us which operation is right for them. Frequently, there is an array of surgical options available to a patient, involving different costs, risks, recoveries, scars, and results. I make it a goal to explore these issues as thoroughly as possible with a patient at their consultation, so that they can make a truly informed choice about what they want done. Whether you have the surgery performed by us, someone else, or not at all, you will gain from your consultation a deeply enhanced understanding of your cosmetic surgical possibilities. Finally, we will always discuss all of your options in a very understandable way and answer all of your questions completely (there are no silly questions, by the way!)
The clinical judgment of a surgeon is the product of his/her experience and aesthetic sensibilities. We think it is important for patients selecting an aesthetic surgeon to appreciate this fact. At Aesthetic Surgical Partners, we advocate approaches that result in classic, natural, soft beauty. For instance, I would err on pulling a face less rather than more, in order to avoid an unnatural swept or pulled look. I believe that huge breast implants look and feel unnatural, and cause long-term problems. Outer thigh liposuction is desirable to achieve a smoother, more svelte contour, but oftentimes some plastic surgeons remove too much fat, leaving a harsh, even masculine appearance. Sometimes, the visual cues of hastily performed surgery are worse than the deformity being corrected. It is truly important that you and your surgeon share similar aesthetic sensibilities.
Safety and predictability is of paramount importance. New surgical techniques come and go like designer jeans; we never rush to adopt them unless a clear advantage is proven. Precisely executed, time-honored techniques serve most patients better in most situations than the "technique du jour." At the same time, the physicians of Aesthetic Surgical Partners are lifelong students, in addition to being teachers, and are constantly evaluating new methods to improve our results, the pursuit of which constantly challenges us.
If sometime after your consultation you choose to schedule a plastic surgery procedure with us, you will next need to schedule a preoperative visit at our Santa Barbara office . At this meeting, all surgical consent forms, pre operative and post operative instructions will be explained and signed, a pre-surgical history and physical (including EKG and labs) will be performed, and fees will be collected. If you are seeking breast augmentation, you will likely have your implant sizing performed during the pre operative visit.
Aesthetic Surgical Partners, located in Santa Barbara, performs all cosmetic and reconstructive procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, facelift, tummy tuck, brow lift, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. We combine the best surgical talents of Beverly Hills with the serenity of Santa Barbara. Please call (805) 682-7222.