Written by David Tauber, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Originally published April 10, 2011. Updated August 28, 2026.
This article originally accompanied a patient forum and presentation about plastic surgery. The format has changed, but the purpose has not: patients deserve practical information that helps them evaluate a surgeon, compare options, and decide whether a consultation feels clear and trustworthy.
Not sure what procedure is right for you?
Get clear, personalized guidance based on your goals, anatomy, recovery timeline, and whether surgery or a nonsurgical treatment makes the most sense.
Start with training and board certification
“Board certified” is not specific enough by itself. Ask which board certified the surgeon and confirm that it is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ member qualifications include appropriate plastic-surgery training, continuing education, and operation in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified facilities.
Review the surgeon’s formal training, hospital affiliations, professional memberships, and experience with the specific procedure you are considering. You can see David Tauber, MD’s training, board certification, areas of focus, and patient results on his profile.
Questions to ask during consultation
ASPS provides a detailed plastic-surgeon question checklist. Useful questions include:
- Am I a reasonable candidate, and what factors could make surgery less safe or less predictable?
- Which procedure do you recommend, and why is it a better fit than the alternatives?
- Where will the procedure be performed, and is the facility appropriately accredited or licensed?
- Who provides anesthesia, and what are that clinician’s qualifications?
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- What are the significant risks, and how are complications handled?
- What does recovery usually involve, including restrictions, follow-up, and when to call?
- What result is realistic for my anatomy, and what cannot be changed safely?
Look for relevant, consistent results
Before-and-after photographs should show patients with concerns and anatomy reasonably similar to yours, at meaningful follow-up intervals, and from consistent views. Photographs are educational examples—not guarantees. Ask how the surgeon approaches asymmetry, scars, revision risk, and the tradeoffs required to obtain the proposed result.
Review the DeLuca Plastic Surgery before-and-after gallery as a starting point, then discuss the most relevant examples during consultation.
Expect individualized recommendations and clear pricing
A good consultation should not feel like a sales script. The recommendation should connect your anatomy and goals to a specific plan, explain limitations, and include alternatives—including doing nothing or delaying treatment.
Ask for a written quote and clarify which surgeon, anesthesia, facility, implant, garment, prescription, and other procedure-specific fees are included. DeLuca Plastic Surgery publishes a current pricing guide for planning; final candidacy and a personalized quote require an appropriate clinical evaluation.
Explore the procedure overview, then request an in-person consultation or start with an Instant Email Consult.
About the author
David Tauber, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Albany and Saratoga Springs, New York. His practice includes natural-looking facial rejuvenation, breast surgery, body contouring, fat grafting, rhinoplasty, and selected wide-awake procedures. View Dr. Tauber’s profile.
