Pros & Cons of Bringing a Significant Other to Your Cosmetic Consult

One of the most commonly repeated tenets of plastic surgery is that you should do it for yourself, not to please anyone else. This leads many patients to wonder whether or not it is okay to bring a friend or spouse to a consultation.

Many plastic surgeons encourage patients to bring a significant other to their consultation to serve as a second set of ears and offer moral support. I leave the decision up to my patients; a consultation can be equally beneficial for the patient attending on her own as for those who choose to bring someone along. For some, having a trusted friend or partner by their side helps them feel safer and thus more comfortable opening up to a surgeon. Others, however, feel more comfortable keeping their concerns between themselves and their doctor.

Before you decide on who to bring to your cosmetic consult, consider the pros and cons of your options:

The pros of bringing your partner to your consultation

First, let’s look at the benefits of having your significant other with you as you meet with a plastic surgeon:

• A partner can help you remember important details about the procedures you discuss and the surgeons you meet. Consultations can feel overwhelming. A large amount of information is covered, and your friend or partner can help you retain additional details that you may have missed. He or she can also remind you of questions that you want to ask a surgeon during the consultation but may forget in the moment.

• Involving a trusted person can help you make a more confident decision about your desired changes. This is particularly true for those considering breast augmentation. Getting feedback from a confidante who knows you well and whose opinion you value can help you feel more sure that you are choosing a size and shape that fits you well.
• Bringing your designated post-op caretaker to the consult can help set you up for a smoother recovery. A face-to-face meeting with your plastic surgeon is the best forum for your spouse or other caretaker to learn what you will need during your recovery. It can also help them prepare and learn what they can expect you to feel in the days following surgery.
• The presence of a spouse or friend can help make the consultation a relaxed experience rather than an overwhelming one. Simply having a trusted confidante by your side can help you feel at ease if you are nervous about what to expect during your cosmetic surgery consultation.

• Meeting the surgeon is the best way for a significant other, close friend or relative to address any hesitations so they can be fully supportive of your decision. Being with you at your consultation can help anyone concerned about your wishes quell any concerns he or she may have about the possible risks and benefits of cosmetic surgery.

The cons of including your significant other in the consultation process

While there are many benefits to having a significant other at your consult, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks as well:

• It may be more difficult to speak openly with a surgeon about your medical history or share personal information with another person listening. A satisfying cosmetic surgery experience relies on honest communication between you and your plastic surgeon. If you might need to censor yourself around your friend, relative, or partner, leave them at home.

• Your friend, partner, or relative may not be able to resist inserting his or her own opinion. While having input from someone whom you trust can be beneficial, it is important that you not let another’s personal preferences get in the way of expressing your own. Thus, if the person you are considering bringing to your consultation is at all controlling or overbearing, it is likely best to have your consult without them.

• Sometimes friends and family can be distracting. As much as you appreciate having a loved one’s support, it may be best to attend your consultation alone if they tend to dominate the conversation when you are together. Likewise, if your chosen friend has a crazy schedule, rushing through a consultation so they can attend will be counterproductive. Your meeting with a plastic surgeon should not be rushed and is, first and foremost, about you.

The decision is yours alone

Ultimately, the decision about whether or not to include another person in your consult is yours. If you do choose to bring a companion, make sure it is someone who will help you get what you need from the experience so you can make a confident decision about surgery.

If you are in the Phoenix area and are ready to schedule your own cosmetic surgery consultation, I welcome you to contact my Scottsdale plastic surgery office. Whether you come along with a friend or prefer to meet one-on-one, we will provide honest, considered advice to help you in making decisions about your appearance.

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