Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right plastic surgeon?
An aesthetic plastic procedure should be performed by an experienced specialist. Make sure that your doctor has received the appropriate training and has a FMH (Swiss Medical Association) diploma in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. It is even more important that you feel comfortable and well looked after by your doctor and his/her colleagues. Make sure that you raise any questions you may have during your initial consultation. Your doctor should take enough time to answer these fully and in detail. You can use this link to check if your doctor has the necessary FMH credentials: www.plastic-surgery.ch
How expensive is the operation?
The cost of an operation depends on the type and difficulty of the procedure, as well as whether it is performed on an outpatient basis or in hospital. Your surgeon’s experience, training and reputation may also influence the cost. This is why prices vary so much from clinic to clinic. To be in a better position to compare prices, ask for the quote to be broken down into the following sections: surgeon’s fee, fee for the surgical assistants and anesthesiologists, any day care clinic or hospital costs, price of the operating room, price for medication and surgical materials, consultation fee and any other additional costs.
Will my health insurance cover all or some of the costs?
Our health insurance system covers the cost of any procedure necessary from a medical point of view (illness, congenital defects, the consequences of an accident). Health insurance does not cover the cost of any cosmetic procedure.
How long is the recovery period and when can I return to work?
The type of plastic surgery performed is the most important factor in calculating recovery time following the operation. Additional factors are the patient’s age and overall health. Most patients require a certain amount of assistance during the first two days following a large procedure. After this point, most daily activities can be resumed independently. Patients with young children are best advised to find somebody to assist them for a few extra days. More specifically, the following empirical information can be taken as a guideline:
Eyelid surgery, face and neck lifts: Patients do not normally require any further assistance after two days. As swelling can occur, many patients prefer not to go out in public for between five and seven days after the procedure. Side effects from the operation generally subside significantly enough for the patient to reappear in public without any problems after ten to fourteen days.
Breast surgery: Patients normally only require help for the first day after the operation and are able to recommence non-strenuous work after one week. Patients return to their full working capacity after two weeks.
Liposuction: Generally patients do not require any assistance. Patients may, however, require support for one to two days following a large operation. The majority of patients are able to return to work between two and seven days after the procedure.
Abdominal reduction: Patients mostly require assistance for between two and four days. Desk work can be resumed after seven days without any problems. Other forms of work are generally able to be carried out again after fourteen days. It is likely to take six weeks until patients are able to lift heavy objects again.
Will I be able to tolerate the postoperative pain?
Each individual patient tolerates pain differently following the operation. Whilst one patient may hardly perceive any pain, another might feel inhibited by pain for a specific period of time. The majority of facial plastic surgery procedures cause minimal pain. Pain following liposuction may be equivalent to a severe muscle strain. Operations making changes to the muscles (e.g. abdominal reduction or breast augmentation) may cause discomfort and pain for up to seven days. We prescribe appropriate medication to reduce pain to a minimum.