What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
Your risks are personal
Your risks depend on the procedure, the surgeon and your own health. Your own list gets drawn up in the exam room, after a surgeon has looked at you, not from a web page. A short list of questions helps you arrive at the consult ready to hear a real answer.
Naming the chin procedure, scars and the drive
Begin by writing the exact name of the procedure you are considering. "Facial surgery" is too broad to get a useful answer, and a chin implant raises different questions than other operations. A national plastic surgery society has an article on whether a chin implant is right for you, and a facial plastic surgery academy has a page on facial implants. Read the one that matches your plan before you ask your own questions.
If implants are part of your plan, a journal review of facial contouring surgery covering genioplasty and mandible angle correction is a place to find topics to raise with your surgeon. Treat it as a reading list for the consult, not as a forecast for you.
If scarring worries you, ask where the incisions would go and how your skin has healed in the past. A skin specialists' group has a page on scar diagnosis and treatment if you want background on how scars are assessed.
The local side counts too. If you live around Redmond, ask where the procedure would be done, who answers a call after hours, and how far you would have to travel if something looked wrong in the first days.
Five complication questions
Take these questions to your consult and ask for the answers in plain words:
- What are the specific risks of this procedure given my health history?
- How does your practice handle a complication if one happens?
- What does the fee quote cover if I need a revision or extra visits?
- Who do I call at night or on a weekend?
- What should I watch for at home that means I should call right away?
Take notes, and ask for key answers in writing when you can.
When to get a second opinion
If something you were told about your risks is unclear, asking for a second opinion is a normal step.