The initial consultation for plastic surgery is not just a step, but a significant milestone in your journey towards enhancing your appearance and boosting your self-confidence. Whether you’re considering facial rejuvenation, body contouring, or breast enhancement, this consultation is pivotal. It sets the tone for your entire experience and is a crucial opportunity to ensure you’re partnering with the right provider and plastic surgery practice.
If you’re considering plastic surgery in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota or beyond, being prepared with the right questions to ask during your consultation is one of the most important things you can do. A well-informed patient is an empowered one. At Edina Plastic Surgery, we encourage all prospective patients to take the time to understand their options and ask thoughtful, detailed questions before moving forward with any procedure. That’s why our consultations are 100% complimentary.
Here are some of the top questions we recommend asking your plastic surgeon during your consultation at Edina Plastic Surgery, and why they matter.
#1 – Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Before scheduling any procedure, confirm that your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. An ABPS certification ensures your surgeon has completed extensive, specialized training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and adheres to the highest patient care and safety standards.
At Edina Plastic Surgery, all of our surgeons are ABPS-certified and have performed thousands of procedures for patients throughout Edina, the greater Twin Cities metro, and beyond. Board certification isn’t just a credential; it’s your assurance of quality, safety, and professionalism.
#2 – What procedure do you recommend based on my concerns, anatomy, goals, and lifestyle?
At Edina Plastic Surgery, we understand that no two patients are exactly alike, and no procedure is one-size-fits-all. While you may have a specific surgery in mind, your plastic surgeon’s recommendation will be based on a detailed analysis of your unique facial features and/or body structure, medical history, lifestyle, and personal aesthetic goals.
When you visit Edina Plastic Surgery for a consultation, our surgeons take the time to listen closely to your goals, explain your options in depth, map out potential approaches, and help you choose the most effective, personalized approach for your desired results.
Depending on the procedure you are interested in, you may even be able to see a preview of your potential results with our VECTRA XT® 3-D Imaging!
#3 – Do you have before and after photos of REAL patients you have performed my surgery on?
Seeing real patient results is one of the most helpful ways to evaluate a plastic surgeon’s experience and aesthetic style. Ask to view before and after photos of patients who’ve undergone the exact procedure you’re considering. It is invaluable to see patients with body types similar to yours so you can envision what your result may look like.
At Edina Plastic Surgery, we proudly share real results from real patients across the Twin Cities area. In fact, many of these are displayed on our website, where visitors can search by procedure and surgeon. Reviewing these images helps you set realistic expectations and feel confident that your surgeon has the skill to deliver natural, beautiful outcomes that match your aesthetic goals.
#4 – What is the cost of my procedure, and what does it include?
Understanding the financial aspects of surgery is essential for planning. During your consultation, ask that a staff member provide a detailed cost estimate tailored to your specific treatment plan. Be cautious of any practice offering flat-fee or “menu-style” pricing, which often oversimplifies what’s involved and may not reflect the true complexity of a surgery or your specific needs.
Immediately after your consultation at Edina Plastic Surgery, your surgical counselor and quote specialist will walk you through your customized quote, which includes surgeon fees, facility costs, anesthesia, post-op care, and follow-up visits. They will also discuss our patient financing options that can spread out payments for your surgery. We believe transparency is key to a positive patient experience, and we want you to feel secure and informed about the cost of your procedure.
#5 – What happens if I’m not satisfied with my results?
While we strive for exceptional outcomes, asking what steps your surgeon will take if the results don’t align with your expectations is essential. What are revision surgery options? Is there a satisfaction policy in place?
At Edina Plastic Surgery, our plastic surgeons are 100% committed to setting clear expectations and supporting you through every phase of your journey. We’ll have an open and honest conversation about the exact measures that will be taken if you are unsatisfied with your results after surgery. Discussing this up front is essential for building trust and defining the partnership you and your surgeon will have throughout your journey.
#6 – What are the risks or complications associated with this procedure?
Even the most common plastic surgery procedures (and ANY surgeries for that matter) carry some degree of risk. During your consultation, ask your surgeon to explain the potential complications, how they’re managed, if your medical history puts you at heightened risk, and what safeguards are in place to protect your health and safety. Know that at Edina Plastic Surgery, one of our surgeons is always on call at night and on the weekends, and our clinic nurses help triage questions during the weekday by phone and text.
Edina Plastic Surgery is accredited by The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), an organization that measures quality in outpatient facilities. AAAASF sets the bar for standards in outpatient surgery and requires surgeons to be board-certified and hold hospital privileges for any procedures performed.
If you’re undergoing plastic surgery in Minnesota, you should know that procedures performed by ABPS-certified surgeons in accredited facilities, like Edina Plastic Surgery, have excellent safety records. We also use board-certified anesthesia providers and advanced monitoring systems to ensure your well-being throughout the stages of your surgery.
#7 – What will my recovery look like?
Recovery from any surgery can vary significantly depending on the type of procedure(s), your health history, and lifestyle factors. Ask your surgeon about your expected downtime, activity restrictions, and how long it will take to see final results. This will give you a better idea of how to plan your life before and after surgery. Also ask about expected follow up schedule. Talk about what you do at work and how that may affect your return to work timetable.
At Edina Plastic Surgery, we provide each patient with a detailed recovery plan and personalized support before, during, and after your surgery. Whether you’re recovering from a tummy tuck, facelift, or breast augmentation, we’ll help you prepare so you can heal safely and achieve optimal results.
Edina Plastic Surgery also offers recommendations for out-of-town patients seeking plastic surgery. We have partnerships with several local hotels and concierge nursing companies that can provide support after your surgery, including rides to and from surgery and monitoring your care in your hotel room.
If you’re undergoing plastic surgery in Minnesota, you should know that procedures performed by ABPS-certified surgeons in accredited facilities, like Edina Plastic Surgery, have excellent safety records. We also use board-certified anesthesia providers and advanced monitoring systems to ensure your well-being throughout the stages of your surgery.
#7 – What will my recovery look like?
Recovery from any surgery can vary significantly depending on the type of procedure(s), your health history, and lifestyle factors. Ask your surgeon about your expected downtime, activity restrictions, and how long it will take to see final results. This will give you a better idea of how to plan your life before and after surgery. Also ask about expected follow up schedule. Talk about what you do at work and how that may affect your return to work timetable.
At Edina Plastic Surgery, we provide each patient with a detailed recovery plan and personalized support before, during, and after your surgery. Whether you’re recovering from a tummy tuck, facelift, or breast augmentation, we’ll help you prepare so you can heal safely and achieve optimal results.
Edina Plastic Surgery also offers recommendations for out-of-town patients seeking plastic surgery. We have partnerships with several local hotels and concierge nursing companies that can provide support after your surgery, including rides to and from surgery and monitoring your care in your hotel room.
