What you need to know about Plastic Surgery

At our practice, we understand that the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is both exciting and significant. Our goal is to ensure you are fully informed and comfortable every step of the way. From your initial consultation to post-operative care, we provide comprehensive information to help you understand the process, manage your expectations, and achieve the best possible results. Explore our insights to learn about pre-surgery preparations, the procedure itself, recovery tips, and how to maintain your stunning new look. Your journey to enhanced confidence begins here.

Before your visit

Before your initial cosmetic surgery consultation, it is essential to prepare thoroughly to ensure a productive discussion and a clear understanding of your options. We encourage you to research the specific procedure(s) you are considering, including potential risks, benefits, and recovery times.

Be sure to bring a list of your medical history, including any allergies, prior surgeries, and current medications. This information will help your surgeon tailor recommendations to your needs.

Additionally, prepare a list of questions to ask Dr. Moister and his clinical staff, such as inquiries about their experience, expected outcomes, and details of the recovery process.

Bringing a notebook or device to jot down answers can help you remember important details and make an informed decision.

Consultation

Your consultation is equal parts interview and time to understand what plastic surgery can achieve for you. Every conversation should be open and honest - having surgery is a significant undertaking and both parties involved want the best outcome and experience possible. You can expect to discuss the following at your initial consultation visit -

What you would like to change about your body, and why you want to change it
How you feel about your body now versus how you would like to feel after surgery
What specific changes you would like to see after surgery
Whether you are a good candidate for plastic surgery, and which procedure, if any, can help you achieve your goals
Realistic results you can expect from any proposed procedure
Details of the proposed procedure (anesthesia type, incisions, recovery timeframe, etc)
Potential risks and possible complications from surgery, both generalized and as well as those relevant to any specific medical conditions you may have
A thorough review of your medical and surgical history (please be open and honest for your safety).

A discussion of the recovery process and post-surgical expectations

Here are a few additional questions you should ask at your consultation visit -

Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Any licensed physician can perform cosmetic procedures, and many different cosmetic surgery certifications exist. Only surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have completed the rigorous requirements to obtain ABPS certification, either through a 6 year integrated plastic surgery residency or a 3 year plastic surgery fellowship following a general surgery residency. Learn more about the differences and why board certification matters here.
What is the expected length of the procedure?
Are there any nonsurgical options available? What types of results can I expect from nonsurgical procedures
What results can I expect, and how long do the results typically last?
Where will scars be located, and how noticeable will they be?
Will the scars fade over time? How long will this take?
How long have you been performing plastic surgery?
How many times have you performed the procedure(s) I am having?
How frequently do you perform these procedures?
Where will my surgery be performed, and who will administer anesthesia?
Are there any nonsurgical options available? What types of results can I expect from nonsurgical procedures versus surgery? What are the risks and benefits of each?

Insurance verification process + scheduling

We aim to streamline your experience by carefully managing the insurance verification and scheduling process. Before we proceed with scheduling your surgery, we require a surgery deposit of $500*. This covers the administrative costs our office incurs to obtain authorization from your insurance company as well as to coordinate surgery scheduling, and will be applied to any balance due to our office for your surgery.

For procedures being filed to insurance - Once our office has received your deposit we will contact your insurance provider to start the process of obtaining prior authorization for your surgery. The insurance authorization process can be lengthy, taking up to 4 weeks and in some cases longer. Be assured, we will call you once we have any communication from your insurance company regarding authorization or denial - there is no need to call our office to check on insurance status. Once your surgery has been approved we will contact you to determine a surgery date and schedule your pre-op and post-op appointments. Once your care with us has been completed and insurance payment received, we will review your account and apply your $500 deposit to any applicable copays, coinsurance, or deductible payments due to our office. Should your outstanding balance be less than your $500 deposit we will refund you any remaining amount in the form of a check.

For cosmetic procedures - After your deposit has been received we will work with you to determine a surgery date, as well as schedule pre-op and post-op appointments. For cosmetic surgeries the $500 deposit is nonrefundable.

Should you need to cancel your surgery after it has been scheduled, please note that the full deposit will be retained. This policy helps us ensure that we can efficiently manage our schedule and provide the best care possible. Exceptions may be made if a surgery is cancelled for a medically necessary reason - please contact our office to discuss cases on an individual basis. If you have any questions about the deposit or the insurance verification process, our team is here to assist you.

*If your insurance company denies your surgery your deposit will be refunded

Pre Op Appointment

This appointment is scheduled 1-2 weeks prior to your surgery, and will last approximately 30-50 minutes. Our nurse will do a thorough review of the details regarding your upcoming surgery, including a discussion of the procedure and all steps involved, in order to ensure that you feel fully prepared. This is your opportunity to ask questions, address any concerns, and review the post-operative care plan. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed, comfortable, and confident before your procedure.

Post Op/Recovery

At your initial post op appointment we will remove any surgical dressings applied after surgery, assess your surgical site, discuss any concerns you may have, and provide guidance on ongoing care. Expect to discuss your pain management, any signs of potential complications, and follow-up instructions for a smooth recovery. Please bring any questions you have, your post-operative care instructions, and a list of any medications you are currently taking. Our goal is to support your recovery and ensure you feel confident about your healing journey. Our office is always available to assist you with any questions or concerns you have during time.