5 Questions to Ask Before Starting Any Aesthetic or Wellness Treatment in Ann Arbor

Question 1: What Are Your Provider's Credentials and Training?

This is the single most important question you can ask, and it is the one patients most often skip. The aesthetic and wellness space has a wide range of providers, from board-certified nurse practitioners and other advanced-practice clinicians to providers with minimal training who may have taken a weekend certification course. The difference in outcomes, safety, and patient experience is substantial.

Here is what to look for:

• Board certification: Your provider should hold active board certification relevant to the services they offer. This demonstrates that they have met rigorous educational, clinical, and examination standards.
• Advanced training: Beyond board certification, ask about specialized training in the specific treatments you are considering. Aesthetic injection, peptide therapy, hormone management, and regenerative medicine each require distinct skill sets.
• Ongoing education: Medicine evolves rapidly. A provider committed to staying current attends conferences, participates in continuing education, and stays engaged with the latest research.

At Arbour Longevity, Gandhi Bhattarai is triple board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), and in Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. This rare combination means she brings both the clinical depth needed for complex health optimization and an understanding of the psychological dimensions of wellness and aesthetics. She is personally involved in every patient's care plan and performs all advanced treatments herself.

Question 2: How Do You Ensure Product Safety and Sourcing?

Not all products are created equal, and in the aesthetic industry, product sourcing matters enormously. Reports of counterfeit Botox, adulterated fillers, and improperly compounded peptides have made headlines for causing serious patient harm. This is not a theoretical risk; it is a documented public health concern.

Ask your provider:

• Where do you source your products? Reputable clinics purchase directly from the manufacturer or authorized distributors. Botox should come from Allergan, Dysport from Galderma, and so on.
• Are your injectables FDA-cleared? For dermal fillers and neuromodulators, FDA clearance ensures the product has met safety and efficacy standards. Be cautious of providers using off-brand or imported products that have not undergone U.S. regulatory review.
• How are compounded medications handled? For treatments like peptide therapy and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), compounding pharmacies should be accredited (look for PCAB accreditation or state board licensing) and follow strict quality control protocols.

According to PubMed, a comprehensive review by Khorasanizadeh et al. (2026) on cosmetic filler complications emphasized that high-frequency ultrasound is now recommended as a first-line modality for identifying filler type, location, and complications, underscoring the importance of working with providers who use authentic, traceable products and have the diagnostic tools to ensure safety (DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2025.110708).

At Arbour Longevity, every product we use is sourced from authorized distributors or accredited compounding pharmacies. We maintain full chain-of-custody documentation and never compromise on product integrity.

Question 3: What Should I Realistically Expect from This Treatment?

Managing expectations is one of the hallmarks of an ethical, patient-centered practice. A provider who promises miraculous results or uses language like "guaranteed" or "permanent" should raise red flags. The best outcomes come from honest conversations about what a treatment can and cannot do.

Here is what a good answer sounds like:

• Specific, measurable outcomes: "You can expect approximately a 50-70% improvement in those nasolabial folds with two syringes of filler" is more helpful than "You will look ten years younger."
• Timeline clarity: How long until you see results? How long do results last? When will you need a touch-up or follow-up?
• Honest limitations: A good provider will tell you when a different treatment might serve you better, or when your expectations may not be achievable with the approach you are considering.
• Before-and-after context: Ask to see before-and-after photos of actual patients (not stock images) treated by your provider.

At Arbour Longevity, every consultation includes a detailed discussion of expected outcomes, realistic timelines, and alternative approaches. Whether you are exploring Botox and fillers, peptide therapy, or medical weight loss, transparency is the foundation of our patient relationships.

Question 4: What Safety Protocols and Emergency Plans Are in Place?

Every medical procedure carries some degree of risk. What separates an excellent clinic from an average one is not the absence of risk but the presence of rigorous safety protocols and emergency preparedness.

Ask about:

• Emergency protocols: For injectable treatments, vascular occlusion (when filler blocks a blood vessel) is a rare but serious complication. Your provider should have hyaluronidase immediately available and be trained in emergency management protocols.
• Complication management: What happens if you experience an adverse reaction? Does your provider have a clear process for after-hours concerns?
• Sterile technique: Treatment rooms should meet medical-grade cleanliness standards. Products should be opened in front of you. Single-use needles and cannulas should be standard.
• Informed consent: You should receive a thorough informed consent process that covers risks, benefits, alternatives, and recovery expectations before any treatment.

Research published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery by Su et al. (2026) analyzed patient complaints following aesthetic procedures and found that treatment quality and safety issues were the primary drivers of patient dissatisfaction, accounting for the vast majority of clinical complaints. The study reinforced the importance of thorough pre-treatment communication and robust safety protocols (DOI: 10.1007/s00266-026-06044-2).

At Arbour Longevity, we maintain comprehensive emergency protocols, carry all necessary reversal agents, and ensure every patient completes a thorough informed consent process. Our clinic meets medical-grade safety standards, not spa-level ones.

Question 5: What Does Follow-Up Care Look Like?

The quality of your results is not determined solely by what happens during your treatment. Follow-up care, monitoring, and the ability to make adjustments are equally important, yet these are the elements most frequently overlooked by patients and, unfortunately, by some providers.

Here is what to ask:

• Scheduled follow-ups: Does the clinic schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your results? For treatments like BHRT and peptide therapy, ongoing lab monitoring is essential.
• Touch-up policies: For aesthetic treatments, is there a touch-up appointment included? How are adjustments handled?
• Accessibility: Can you reach your provider if you have questions or concerns after treatment? Is there a direct line of communication, or will you be directed to a call center?
• Long-term planning: A good provider thinks beyond the current appointment. They should discuss a long-term treatment plan that accounts for maintenance, future goals, and evolving needs.

According to PubMed, the systematic review and meta-analysis by Mosteirin et al. (2026) on injectable hyaluronic acid treatments emphasized that standardized follow-up assessment using both physical and biometric evaluation methods was critical for tracking treatment outcomes and identifying complications early (DOI: 10.1111/jocd.70741).

At Arbour Longevity, follow-up is built into every treatment protocol. For aesthetic treatments, we schedule two-week follow-up appointments to assess results and make any needed adjustments. For wellness services like hormone therapy and peptide protocols, regular lab work and check-ins ensure your program is optimized over time. Gandhi Bhattarai is directly accessible to her patients for questions and concerns.

The Arbour Longevity Standard: Meeting Every Criterion

We designed these five questions to empower you as a patient, but we also believe they describe the standard of care that every clinic should meet. At Arbour Longevity, we are proud that our practice answers every one of these questions with confidence:

Whether you are exploring Botox and fillers, a non-surgical facelift, bioidentical hormone therapy, peptide therapy, sexual wellness treatments, or medical weight loss, these five questions will help you identify providers who meet the standard of care you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my current provider cannot answer these questions satisfactorily?

If a provider is unable or unwilling to clearly address these five questions, it may be worth seeking a second opinion. Your health and safety should never be compromised for convenience or cost savings.

Are these questions relevant for non-invasive treatments too?

Yes. Even treatments marketed as "non-invasive" carry considerations around product quality, provider training, expected results, safety, and follow-up. The questions apply whether you are getting a facial peel or a comprehensive regenerative medicine protocol.

How do I verify a provider's board certification?

Board certification for nurse practitioners can be verified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These databases are publicly accessible online.

What red flags should I watch for when choosing an aesthetic provider?

Be cautious of providers who pressure you into treatments, offer prices significantly below market rate (which may indicate counterfeit products), refuse to discuss credentials or complications, or guarantee specific results. Also watch for clinics where your treating provider is not the same person who consulted with you.

Can I schedule a consultation at Arbour Longevity without committing to treatment?

Absolutely. We welcome consultation-only visits where you can meet Gandhi Bhattarai, discuss your goals, ask questions, and determine whether our approach is the right fit for you, with no obligation to proceed with treatment. Book your $35 consultation or call (734) 436-3357.