7 QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK YOUR DOCTOR/INJECTOR

These days it seems everyone and his cousin is “doing faces,” injecting people with just about everything that comes down the pike.  If you have ever spoken one-on-one with me you know i’m an old-fashioned kind of doc, that it’s important to me that my patients understand what I do, have an active role in deciding what should be done and value the results.

In the spirit of those goals I hereby offer you a short guide to evaluating your injector—questions to ask before that needle is is put into your face.

First I strongly suggest you check the doctor’s reputation and if possible even speak to one or more existing patients.

The first step in any pre-treatment consultation is to find out what you think needs improvement.  I usually put a mirror in the patient’s hand and ask the million dollar question: “What do you see?” You only have one face.  Take your time.  You’re worth it.

Here are the questions you should ask…

#1. What do you (the doctor) think? This is the time to make sure you and the doctor/injector are on the same wavelength.

#2  What do you recommend?  The doctor should tell you what he will attempt to do and the products and amounts he or she recommends.  The products should be FDA-approved.  The treatment should be individualized for you.  This is no place for a Procrustean bed where the same treatment is done for everyone regardless of the issues.  (Not long ago I actually watched a fellow physician do exactly that.  She did the same treatment on six patients regardless of how they presented.  Scary.)

#3   How many of these treatments have you done?  This is one place where experience counts.  As with any eye-hand activity, the more you do the more facility you develop.  There’s a corollary question here:  Do you enjoy doing this?  Why?

#4  Can you show me some before and after photos?  This is critical.  Looking at the before and after photos will give you an idea of what he or she thinks is beautiful.

#5  How do you keep me comfortable while you’re injecting?  Every successful injector should understand that patient comfort is key.  You want to get an idea of exactly how important it is to your doc.

#6  What are the side effects?  There is nothing we do in medicine that doesn’t have the potential for side effects.  Your doctor/injector should tell you what they are and how they will be prevented and managed.  Corollary question: Who can I call if you have a question at night or over the weekend?

#7  How much will this cost?  This is usually the first question asked at the first phone call.  “What do you charge for???”  But it’s really the last question that should be asked after you’ve gotten all your other questions answered. It’s no fun to sit in the chair while the needles are going in and worry about how you’re going to pay.      

My answers? The most critical part of the visit is the time spent with the patient deciding what should be done.  I’ve literally performed well over 5,000 treatments with Botox, Xeomin, Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse and Belotero.  I’m proud of my before and after pictures and always excited about sharing them. 

Pain prevention is integral to what I do and I go out of my way to make each patient comfortable.  I tell each patient exactly what I will do and how long it will take.

I’m a firm believer in telling each patient what everything will cost before we start.  The priceless ingredient is value.  I want my patients to be confident they will receive the best value for their money.

Who can you call after the treatment if you have a question? Me.  All of my patients have my personal cellphone number.  I insist they call if they have any questions.  Any time.

And yes…I still love doing this.  I loved it when I did my first patient back in 2002.  It felt like magic.  I’ve loved it ever since.  It’s the perfect blend of creativity, art and science.  Almost nothing gives me more professional pleasure than seeing a patient after I’ve completed a treatment look in the mirror and say: “Wow!” 

Gotta go...