General FAQs

Don’t hesitate to consult more than just one Plastic Surgeon before you decide to go ahead. The doctor of your choice should be expert in the procedure you are interested in. A Plastic Surgeon who specializes in hand surgery may not be experienced in corrections of the nose or in facelifts.

The success of a medical treatment can never be guaranteed. E.g. unpredicted scar formation leading into tissue traction, the event of any complication, are factors that can have negative influence on the final result of the operation.

However a good Plastic Surgeon should be able to achieve the result discussed prior to the operation. In some few cases a minor correction might be necessary (e.g. a correction of the scar) to improve the result.

Even though major risks and complications are very rare, it is compulsory by state law that the surgeon informs the patient about all potential risks and complications prior to the operation:

Some swelling, bruising always has to be expected. In many cases the skin might feel a little numb for some days where surgery was performed.

Strong pain however, extensive bruising and swelling is very seldom. Bleeding, infection, an obvious scar, thrombosis and embolism, shock, dying of tissue (necrosis), wound healing problems, injury of important anatomic structures (like vessels and nerves) with loss of sensation or motion, is very seldom. The risk of not liking the aesthetic result of the operation can be avoided by thoroughly discussing and understanding the patient`s expectations prior to the operation. In some few cases a minor correction might be necessary (e.g. a correction of the scar) to improve the result.

Before any treatment or operation, the patient has to be fully aware of all potential risks and complications. This has to be documented in a consent form which the patient has to sign some days in advance. Without the patient`s consent, a medical treatment or operation must not be performed.

Plastic Surgery deals with the reconstruction and improvement of the shape and visible dysfunctions of the human body.

Reconstructive procedures have been performed for many hundred years, the first reconstruction of an amputated nose was reported in Egypt already long before Christ. The first aesthetic operations, e.g. facelifts and rhinoplasties are documented in publications more than hundred years ago.

Since 1993 Plastic Surgery has become an independent medical discipline in Germany, before that time it has been part of General Surgery.

The training for Plastic- Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery takes at least 6 years and can be started after having completed medical studies. The training is usually done in a University Hospital and involves reconstructive surgery, hand-surgery, surgery of burns and congenital deformities, surgery of tumors as well as aesthetic surgery.

As a patient, you expect a thorough consultation on your individual requirements and expectations. Usually this will take more than just a few minutes, which is why we charge a 100 € consultation fee. Despite some colleagues offering the first consult without charge, it is prohibited by professional regulations for doctors to offer any service, even a consultation, for free. However, the consultation fee is credited against the costs of a procedure.

Find more information about costs for specific treatments or operations in the various chapters.

Costs of a Labiaplasty/Labia Reduction »

Aesthetic operations are usually not covered by medical insurances. In some cases insurances do grant some contribution, so it might be worth asking.

• Avoid direct sunlight on the scar 6 months after the operation
• Depending on the type of operation, sports, sauna, swimming should be avoided for some time.
• take enough time off work so you can recover completely
• cool the area treated,vitamines, healthy and light food and Arnica help the wound healing.

• avoid drugs that influence the blood clotting system (e.g. Aspirin, Ass) 14 days prior to the operation
• there should be somebody to take care of you at home during the early period of recovery
• if necessary, buy cool- packs, special garments before the operation
• in case of a genital correction, please shave the pubic hair completely one day before
• buy the drugs prescribed by us (e.g. antibiotics, pain killers)
• do not eat or drink 6 hours before and operation that is performed under general anaesthetics. When operations are done under local anaesthetics, fasting is not necessary.