How Many Plastic Surgery Consultations Should You Get?

Getting plastic surgery is a big decision, so it’s perfectly normal to want to get several opinions from different plastic surgeons before finalizing your surgical plan. While there is no magic number to how many plastic surgery consultations you should get, it is possible to get too few and also too many. 

Here, Dr. Davis explains how to determine the right number of consultations to get before your tummy tuck, breast augmentation or other plastic surgery procedure.

Why Getting More than One Opinion Is Helpful

Getting 2 or 3 plastic surgery consultations is helpful for several reasons. First, meeting with more than one plastic surgeon will help you decide if the procedure you’re considering is the right choice for your body and your specific goals. 

Secondly, going to a few consultations will give you the chance to compare plastic surgeons in terms of their personalities, communication styles and facilities. You should feel comfortable with your surgeon, their staff and the overall office environment. By visiting a few different plastic surgery practices, you can find the one that aligns best with your preferences and makes you feel the most confident moving forward.

It is also worth noting that the purpose of scheduling multiple plastic surgery consultations isn’t to merely find the best price. While there may be differences in prices between practices, making your decision based solely on price may leave you feeling dissatisfied with your overall experience and final results. 

How Many Consultations Are Too Many?

On the flip side, scheduling too many consultations can be confusing, leaving you overwhelmed with options and second-guessing your decision. It can feel a lot like having too many cooks in the kitchen, so to speak.

For most people, three consultations is a good rule of thumb. This number gives you a solid range of professional opinions without overwhelming you with too many choices. 

However, if you’ve met with three plastic surgeons and still feel unsure, it may be time to step back and reassess your goals and expectations. Ask yourself if the procedure you’re considering is truly right for you. Sometimes, uncertainty may stem from deeper doubts about the procedure itself, rather than the surgeons you’ve consulted.

What to Look for at Your Plastic Surgery Consultation

To make the most of your time during each of your plastic surgery consultations, be on the lookout for these key green flags:

• Board certification and experience. Always check that the plastic surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and has extensive experience performing the specific procedure you’re interested in. Many doctors will claim to be “board certified” but you need to ensure that the certification is from the ABPS, not another board that is not focused on plastic surgery.

• • Society membership. Membership in The Aesthetic Society demonstrates further commitment and respect within the plastic surgery community. All members are plastic surgeons who were nominated by their peers, and have completed a vetting process where cases are submitted, licensure is reviewed and quality outcomes are documented. 

• Communication and comfort. Pay attention to how well the surgeon listens to your concerns and answers your questions. Do they make you feel comfortable, or do they rush through the consultation? Dr. Davis stresses that the right plastic surgeon should take the time to ensure you feel fully informed and at ease.

• A welcoming environment. Are the front desk, nurses and other staff members friendly, inviting and willing to answer any questions you might have? A welcoming environment like this can make a huge difference in the quality of your overall experience from start to finish.

• A clean, modern facility. Look around the office and note your first impressions. Is it clean and well-organized? Ask if your procedure will take place at this location or somewhere else so that you know exactly what to expect. 

Whether you are looking for a first or second (or third) opinion, Dr. Davis would be happy to meet with you to discuss your plastic surgery goals. To schedule your consultation, please call our Nashville office at 615-327-7407 or contact us online.