Choosing to have cosmetic surgery is a significant decision, and the cosmetic surgery consultation is one of the most important parts of the process. It is your opportunity to understand what a procedure can realistically achieve, what the recovery involves, what the risks are and whether the treatment is right for you.
It is also an opportunity to get to know your surgeon.
A good cosmetic surgery consultation should not feel like a sales appointment. You should have time to explain what you would like to change, ask questions, discuss alternatives and understand the potential benefits and risks before making a decision.
If you are considering cosmetic surgery in London, here are some of the most important questions to take with you to your consultation.
1. Am I a suitable candidate for this procedure?
This is perhaps the most important question to ask.
It is easy to arrive at a consultation having already decided that a particular procedure is what you need. However, the right treatment depends on your individual anatomy, health, expectations and what you are hoping to achieve.
Ask your surgeon:
- Am I suitable for this procedure?
- What factors might affect my results?
- Is there another procedure that may be more appropriate?
- Would you recommend surgery at all in my circumstances?
- What would you consider a realistic outcome for me?
A responsible surgeon should be prepared to explain when a procedure may not be appropriate. Cosmetic surgery is not simply about choosing a treatment from a list. It is about finding out whether a particular operation is suitable for you.
The NHS similarly recommends speaking to the professional who will carry out the procedure and discussing your expectations, what will happen and how the procedure may affect you.
2. What results can I realistically expect?
It is worth being very specific about your expectations in your cosmetic surgery consultation.
Rather than simply asking whether surgery will “make me look better”, explain what you would like to change. Your surgeon can then tell you what is realistically achievable.
You might ask:
- What kind of result could I expect?
- How much improvement is realistic?
- What will my appearance look like immediately after surgery?
- When will I see the final result?
- How long should the results last?
- Could ageing, pregnancy, weight changes or other factors affect the result?
Before-and-after photographs can also be useful when discussing expectations. However, remember that every patient is different. A photograph of another person’s result is not a guarantee of what your own result will look like.
The goal should be a shared understanding between you and your surgeon about what surgery can and cannot achieve.
3. What are the risks and possible complications?
No surgical procedure is completely risk-free.
It is important to ask about the risks specific to the procedure you are considering, rather than relying solely on general information you have found online.
Ask:
- What are the most common risks?
- What are the more serious but less common complications?
- Are there risks that are particularly relevant to me?
- What would happen if I developed a complication?
- Would I need further treatment or another operation?
- Who would look after me if I had a problem after surgery?
The General Medical Council states that patients considering cosmetic interventions should be given enough information and time to make a voluntary and informed decision. Doctors should discuss relevant risks, benefits, limitations and potential physical and psychological consequences.
Don’t be afraid to ask about risks. A good consultation should make you feel more informed, not uncomfortable for raising difficult questions.
4. Who will actually perform my surgery?
This is an important question that is sometimes overlooked.
Ask to meet the surgeon who will carry out your procedure and ask about their qualifications, training and experience with the specific operation you are considering.
You may want to ask:
- Who will perform my surgery?
- What are your qualifications and specialist training?
- How frequently do you perform this procedure?
- Where will my surgery take place?
- Who will be involved in my care?
BAAPS recommends that patients meet the surgeon who will perform their procedure and stresses the importance of checking a surgeon’s training, qualifications and experience.
It is perfectly reasonable to ask these questions. In fact, you should.
5. What does the surgery actually involve?
Even if you have researched your procedure extensively, ask your surgeon to explain what will happen.
Depending on the operation, you may want to discuss:
- How the procedure is performed
- What type of anaesthetic is used
- How long the surgery usually takes
- Whether you will need to stay overnight
- Where the incisions will be made
- Where scars are likely to be located
- Whether drains, dressings or compression garments will be required
Understanding the practical details can make the process feel much less daunting and help you prepare properly.
Your surgeon should also explain what you can expect on the day of surgery and during the immediate recovery period.
6. What will recovery be like?
Recovery can be just as important as the operation itself.
Before booking surgery, ask about the realities of getting back to normal.
Useful questions include:
- How much time should I take off work?
- When can I drive again?
- When can I exercise?
- When can I return to normal activities?
- Will I need someone to stay with me initially?
- How much swelling or bruising should I expect?
- When will I be able to see the result?
- How many follow-up appointments will I need?
Recovery varies considerably between procedures and between individuals. Someone having eyelid surgery, for example, will have a very different recovery experience from someone undergoing abdominoplasty or breast surgery.
BAAPS advises patients to ask about their expected recovery time, postoperative care, who will look after them and what happens if something goes wrong.
7. What aftercare will I receive?
Your relationship with your surgical team should not end when you leave the operating theatre.
Ask what postoperative care is included and who you should contact if you have concerns.
You might ask:
- Who will I contact if I am worried about something?
- Is there an out-of-hours contact?
- How many follow-up appointments are included?
- How long will I be monitored after surgery?
- What symptoms should prompt me to contact the clinic?
- What happens if I need additional treatment?
Knowing exactly what support is available can give you greater confidence before going ahead.
It is also worth asking what happens if you experience a complication outside normal clinic hours. You should understand the arrangements before surgery rather than trying to work them out afterwards.
8. Are there alternatives to surgery?
Sometimes the most useful question is also the simplest:
“What are my alternatives?”
Depending on your circumstances, there may be different surgical approaches, non-surgical treatments or simply the option of not having treatment.
The GMC’s guidance on decision-making specifically highlights the importance of discussing available treatment options, including the option of doing nothing.
That does not mean your surgeon should talk you out of surgery. It means you should understand the choices available to you before deciding.
9. What is the total cost?
Price should never be the only factor when choosing cosmetic surgery, but you should have a clear understanding of the financial commitment.
Ask for a breakdown of the total cost and check whether it includes:
- Your surgeon’s fees
- Anaesthetic fees
- Hospital or theatre fees
- Pre-operative assessments
- Follow-up appointments
- Medication
- Dressings or garments
- Aftercare
- Any potential additional treatment
You should also ask what happens financially if you need further treatment because of a complication or if you require revision surgery.
BAAPS recommends asking about all planned and possible costs, including potential future surgery and complications.
A clear financial conversation is part of a clear medical conversation.
10. Do I need more time to think about it?
There is no prize for making a decision quickly.
If you have questions that have not been answered, ask them. If you want to discuss the procedure with your partner, family or another trusted person, take the time to do so.
The GMC states that patients should be given the time and information they need to reach a voluntary and informed decision and should understand that they can change their mind.
A consultation should leave you feeling informed rather than pressured.
If you finish your appointment thinking, “I need to go away and think about this”, that is perfectly reasonable.
What should I take to my cosmetic surgery consultation?
It can be helpful to prepare a short list of questions before you arrive. It is surprisingly easy to forget what you wanted to ask once you are sitting in a consultation room.
Consider taking:
- A list of your current medications and supplements
- Details of relevant medical conditions or previous operations
- Any questions or concerns you have written down
- Information about previous cosmetic treatments
- Details of your work and lifestyle if they may affect recovery
- A note of any specific dates you need to be fully recovered by
You may also want to bring someone you trust, if the clinic permits this and you would find it helpful.
Most importantly, be honest with your surgeon. Your medical history, expectations and reasons for considering surgery all matter when assessing whether treatment is appropriate.
What are the biggest questions to ask your cosmetic surgeon?
If you only have time to write down a short list before your cosmetic surgery consultation, start with these:
- Am I a suitable candidate for this procedure?
- What result can I realistically expect?
- What are the risks and possible complications?
- Who will perform my surgery, and what is their experience with this procedure?
- Are there alternatives I should consider?
- What will my recovery involve?
- What aftercare and follow-up will I receive?
- What happens if something goes wrong or I am unhappy with the result?
- What is the total cost, including aftercare and potential additional treatment?
- Is there anything about my circumstances that would make you recommend waiting or not having surgery?
These questions will not guarantee a particular outcome, but they can help you have a much more meaningful conversation with your surgeon.
Choosing cosmetic surgery in London
For anyone considering cosmetic surgery in London, the consultation should be about more than deciding whether to book an operation.
It is an opportunity to understand your options, meet your surgeon, discuss your expectations and make sure you are comfortable with the proposed treatment and the care surrounding it.
At Sunion Health on Harley Street, consultations provide an opportunity to discuss your individual concerns and explore the options available to you. The aim should always be an informed decision based on your circumstances, rather than simply choosing a procedure because it is popular or because you have seen a particular result online.
Take your questions with you. Ask the uncomfortable ones. Ask for clarification if you do not understand something. And if you need more time, take it.
A good cosmetic surgery consultation should leave you knowing not only what you could have done, but whether it is the right thing for you to do.
Cosmetic Surgery Consultation FAQs
How long does a cosmetic surgery consultation take?
The length of a consultation depends on the procedure and your individual circumstances. Your appointment should give you enough time to discuss your concerns, medical history, expectations, treatment options, risks and recovery.
Should I meet my cosmetic surgeon before surgery?
Yes. You should have the opportunity to discuss your proposed treatment and its risks, benefits and limitations with the medical professional who will perform the procedure.
What should I ask a cosmetic surgeon?
Start with questions about suitability, realistic results, risks, alternatives, recovery, aftercare, the surgeon’s experience and the total cost of treatment.
Should I get a second cosmetic surgery consultation?
A second opinion can be useful if you are uncertain about your options or simply want to compare different professional opinions. You should never feel that you have to make a decision during your first cosmetic surgery consultation.
What if my surgeon says surgery is not suitable for me?
A surgeon recommending against surgery is not necessarily a negative outcome. It may mean that the expected benefits do not outweigh the risks, that your expectations are unrealistic, that another treatment may be more appropriate, or that waiting would be advisable.
The purpose of a cosmetic surgery consultation is to establish what is appropriate for you, not to guarantee that you will be offered surgery.
