Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon Before Booking
The specific questions that distinguish capable, honest surgeons from those who are selling rather than advising.
- →Ask: 'How many of this specific procedure do you perform per year?' — under 50 annually for a complex procedure is a concern.
- →Ask: 'What is your revision rate and how do you handle complications?' — honest surgeons provide real numbers.
- →Ask: 'Will you personally perform the entire operation, or will a resident?' — your named surgeon must confirm they will operate.
- →Ask: 'Can I speak to previous patients with a similar case?' — reputable surgeons with satisfied patients can arrange this.
- →Ask: 'What happens if I need emergency care after I return home?' — the clinic must have a documented cross-border protocol.
Why Questions Matter More Than Reviews
Patient reviews measure satisfaction, not quality. A charismatic surgeon with excellent patient management can generate excellent reviews while producing mediocre outcomes. The questions below are designed to reveal clinical judgment, not personality.
Ask them in your consultation. Pay attention to how the surgeon responds — specifically, whether they engage with the specifics of your anatomy or give generic answers.
Questions About the Procedure
"What technique will you use for my specific case, and why?"
This is the single most revealing question. If the surgeon explains their technique choice in relation to your anatomy — your skin thickness, your bone structure, the specific change you want — that is evidence of clinical engagement. If they describe a standard technique without referencing your specific situation, they may not be assessing you individually.
"What result is realistically achievable in my case?"
The honest answer will be specific and moderately conservative. A surgeon who promises exceptional results without caveats is telling you what you want to hear. A good surgeon will describe the range of likely outcomes and what factors affect where in that range you land.
"What cannot be achieved with this procedure?"
Every procedure has limits. A surgeon who explains these clearly is protecting you and themselves. This also reveals whether they understand the anatomy underlying what you want.
"What are the most common complications with this procedure in your practice?"
Note: "in your practice" — not in the literature generally. You want their personal experience. National averages for infection rates and revision rates are publicly available; what you need is this surgeon's numbers.
Questions About the Surgeon
"How many of this specific procedure have you performed in the last 12 months?"
Volume matters. For common procedures (rhinoplasty, breast augmentation), seek surgeons performing 50+ per year. For complex procedures (facelift, deep plane, BBL), higher volume matters even more. A surgeon who pauses or hedges on this number is telling you something.
"Will you personally perform the entire surgery from incision to close?"
In some high-volume clinics, especially those serving package tourists, surgeons begin procedures and leave residents or trainees to finish. This is standard practice in teaching hospitals but not what you are paying for in private aesthetic surgery. Confirm directly.
"Can I see your before/after photos for patients with similar anatomy to mine?"
Not their best 10 results — photos from patients with similar starting points to you. A surgeon with a genuine portfolio should be able to show you comparable cases.
Questions About Risk
"What would make you advise against performing this procedure on me?"
This question inverts the sales dynamic. A good surgeon will answer it clearly — BMI thresholds, smoking status, anatomical factors, medical contraindications. A surgeon who says there are no scenarios where they would decline is not giving you honest clinical advice.
"What is your revision rate for this procedure?"
Some revision rate is normal and expected — even excellent surgeons revise a small percentage of outcomes. A surgeon claiming zero revisions is either performing very low volume or not being truthful. A surgeon who gives you a realistic number and explains their revision process is trustworthy.
"If I experience a complication after I return home, what is the protocol?"
You need a specific answer: who to call, what documentation to provide your home GP, whether they cover revision costs for documented complications.
Red Flag Answers
- Vague answers about technique ("we use the latest methods")
- Dismissing complication questions ("don't worry, complications are very rare")
- Pressure to decide before you leave the consultation
- An inability to show you comparable before/after cases
- Redirecting to patient testimonials rather than clinical data when you ask for outcome data
The Consultation Is a Two-Way Assessment
You are evaluating the surgeon as much as they are evaluating you. A surgeon who gives clear, specific, sometimes unflattering answers to these questions is more trustworthy than one who tells you everything you want to hear.
If you leave a consultation feeling managed rather than advised, trust that instinct.