Questions to ask at your first consultation

Go in prepared

It's easy to walk out of a consultation feeling reassured but realising you forgot to ask half your questions. A first appointment can feel like a sales meeting, especially if it's friendly and well run. That's why it helps to treat it as an interview. You're deciding whether this surgeon is right for you.

Before you go, check the surgeon's registration so you can spend the time on the things a register can't tell you. Write your questions down, take a notebook or a friend, and ask whether you can record the conversation or receive a written summary afterwards.

It also helps to be clear about what you want. Think about what bothers you when you look in the mirror, and what you'd like to change. You don't need the technical words. “I'd like my jawline to look softer” is a perfectly good starting point, and it gives the surgeon something real to respond to.

About the surgeon

• Which register are you on, and what specialty does it show?
• Will you be the one operating on me, from start to finish?
• How often do you perform this procedure?
• Can I see before and after photos of your own patients, ideally with features similar to mine?
• Which professional societies do you belong to?
• Where will the operation take place, and who registers or inspects that hospital or clinic?

Pay attention to how the answers feel, not just what they say. Clear, specific answers are a good sign. If you've only met a coordinator or salesperson so far, ask when you'll meet the surgeon. And if a question about training or registration is brushed aside, that's worth noting too.

About the procedure

• What do you recommend for me, and why?
• What are the alternatives, including doing nothing for now?
• What result is realistic for someone like me, and how long might it last?
• What kind of anaesthetic will I have, and who gives it?
• Will I stay overnight, and for how long?

If you're considering a facelift, ask the surgeon to explain the approach they'd use in plain language, where the scars will be and how they expect them to settle. If a term goes over your head, ask again. That's what the appointment is for.

About risks and recovery

• What are the most common complications of this procedure, and how would you manage them?
• What happens if I'm unhappy with the result or need further surgery? Who pays?
• How long before I can work, drive, exercise or fly?
• Who do I call if I'm worried at night or at the weekend?
• How many follow-up appointments are included, and with whom?
• Is there anything in my health history that changes the risks for me?

Be honest about your own health, medicines and lifestyle. The surgeon can only answer the last question properly if they have the full picture. Ask them to put the recovery plan in writing, including what's normal, what isn't and when you should call. Having it on paper makes those first days at home much less stressful.

About cost and commitment

• Can I have a written, itemised quote?
• What isn't included?
• How much is the deposit, and when is it refundable?
• Is there a cooling-off period before I commit?

Our guide to what a facelift price should include goes through the quote line by line. If you're travelling for surgery, add the questions in surgery abroad: what to check first.

Finally, notice whether you feel rushed. You shouldn't be offered a discount for booking on the day, and a good surgeon won't mind if you want a second consultation, or a second opinion elsewhere. Taking your time is a sensible choice, not a lack of commitment.

Not sure who to see yet? We can check a surgeon for you before you book, using official registers and professional bodies, with every source labelled.

Sources

• Official medical registers in each country we cover (GMC, Ahpra, Medical Council of New Zealand, BIG-register and others) Official
• Plastic surgery colleges, boards and societies (RACS, ABPS, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, BAPRAS) Independent