Written by David Tauber, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Originally published January 5, 2011. Updated August 28, 2026.
When this post was first written in 2011, online plastic-surgery question-and-answer forums were becoming a common place for patients to seek reassurance. The central lesson remains important: clear communication with your own surgeon is essential before surgery, during recovery, and at follow-up.
Online information can help you prepare questions, but it cannot replace advice from the clinician who knows your health history, examined you, and understands the treatment plan.
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What clear communication should cover
A useful consultation is a two-way conversation. Your surgeon should explain what a procedure can reasonably address, what it cannot change, the alternatives, the important risks, and the expected recovery. You should feel comfortable discussing:
- Your goals and priorities: Describe the changes you hope to see and the tradeoffs you would accept.
- Realistic expectations: Before-and-after photographs can illustrate possibilities, but they do not promise an identical result.
- Procedure choices: Ask why one option is recommended and whether a less invasive or nonsurgical approach would meaningfully help.
- Recovery: Review activity restrictions, time away from work, follow-up visits, and which symptoms are expected versus reasons to call.
- Risks and alternatives: Understand the significant risks, how complications are handled, and what may happen without treatment.
- Total cost: Ask what the quoted price includes, such as surgeon, anesthesia, facility, implant, garment, and other procedure-specific fees.
Questions to ask a plastic surgeon
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons patient-safety checklist encourages patients to ask about board certification, training, facility accreditation, procedure experience, candidacy, recovery, risks, complication management, and expected results.
It is also reasonable to ask who will answer routine questions, how to reach the surgical team after hours, and what instructions apply if symptoms change. Follow the contact and emergency instructions provided by your own practice rather than relying on general online advice.
Online advice has important limits
A photo-based or online review can be a helpful starting point, but it is preliminary. Photographs do not fully show skin quality, tissue thickness, muscle function, scars, or health factors that may affect the safest plan. Final candidacy, operative recommendations, and individualized pricing require an appropriate clinical evaluation.
If you are already recovering from surgery and have increasing pain, swelling, redness, drainage, fever, breathing difficulty, chest pain, or another concerning change, contact your surgical team promptly and follow the emergency instructions you were given.
How DeLuca Plastic Surgery approaches consultation
Our goal is physician-guided, individualized planning with natural-looking expectations and a clear recovery plan. You can start by reviewing the procedure overview and current pricing guide. When you are ready, request an in-person consultation or begin 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.
