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A first plastic surgery consultation is a planning appointment, not a commitment. You bring your medical history, a list of your medicines and a clear idea of what bothers you. The surgeon examines you, explains which options suit your anatomy, what each involves and what the risks are. You leave with information and, usually, a proposed plan. You do not have to decide anything on the day.
A consultation usually lasts thirty minutes to an hour: listening to you, examining and measuring, then discussing options, recovery and risks. If you live abroad, the first conversation often starts with photographs and a video call, and the full examination takes place in person before surgery is confirmed. Patients who arrive with their history written down and their questions on paper tend to get more out of the time.
What to bring
- A list of your medicines and supplements, with doses. Blood thinners, hormone treatments, some antidepressants and many herbal supplements (fish oil, ginkgo, garlic tablets, high-dose vitamin E) affect bleeding or anaesthesia.
- Your medical history: previous operations, problems with anaesthesia, chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease or bleeding disorders, and any history of blood clots.
- Records of earlier procedures in the same area, especially surgery, fillers or implants. Operation notes and implant cards are particularly useful.
- Recent test results if you have them, such as blood tests, or a breast ultrasound or mammogram where relevant.
- Reference photographs, if they help you explain what you mean. Treat them as a direction rather than a target. Your own face or body sets the limits.
- Your questions, written down. They are easy to forget once the examination starts.
Be open about smoking, vaping, alcohol and recent weight changes. These details change both the plan and the risk, and nobody is there to judge them.
What happens during the consultation
Your goals
You will be asked what you would like to change and why now. A precise answer helps: “my nose looks wide from the front” gives the surgeon more to work with than “I want a nicer nose”. The surgeon is also listening for expectations that surgery cannot meet, and should tell you if they hear one.
Examination
For a rhinoplasty the examination includes skin thickness, the cartilage framework, the airway and how the nose relates to the rest of the face. For breast augmentation it means measuring the chest wall and breast width, assessing skin quality and noting the position of the nipple. For a facelift the surgeon looks at where the tissues have descended, the skin, the neck and any loss of volume. Standardised photographs are usually taken for your medical record.
Options and a plan
Where more than one option exists, you should hear about each, including a smaller procedure or no procedure at all. A clear plan explains what would be done, through which incisions, under which anaesthesia, and what result is realistic for your anatomy.
Risks and recovery
Every operation carries general risks, such as bleeding, infection, wound healing problems, visible scarring, reactions to anaesthesia and blood clots, as well as risks specific to the procedure. These should be explained plainly, with how they are prevented and what would be done if one occurred. Recovery should be described in practical terms: when you can shower, work, drive, exercise and fly.
Questions worth asking
| Topic | Question |
|---|---|
| The surgeon | What is your specialist qualification, and is this operation within your field? |
| The plan | Why this technique for me, and what are the alternatives? |
| The result | What is realistic for my anatomy, and what is not? |
| Risks | Which complications matter most in my case, and how are they managed? |
| The facility | Where will the operation take place, and who gives the anaesthetic? |
| Recovery | How long will I be off work, and when can I exercise and fly? |
| Follow-up | Who do I contact after surgery, and how are check-ups arranged once I am home? |
What makes a good candidate
Being a good candidate has less to do with appearance than with health and timing. Surgeons usually look for:
- good general health, with any chronic condition well controlled
- a stable weight for several months, particularly before breast or body surgery
- no nicotine, or a willingness to stop for at least four weeks before and after surgery
- realistic expectations, and a reason for surgery that is your own
- time to recover, without major events planned in the weeks that follow
If you are not a candidate at the moment, you should be told why and what would change that. Sometimes the right advice is to wait, to reach a stable weight, to stop smoking or to treat a medical problem first.
Second opinions and time to think
A pause between the consultation and the decision is sensible. Many patients go home, reread their notes and come back with more questions. A second opinion from another qualified plastic surgeon is reasonable for any elective operation.
Be cautious if you feel pressed to book on the day, if the conversation centres on discounts or deadlines, or if risks are brushed aside. A planned operation can wait a few weeks.
If you are travelling to Istanbul
International patients usually begin with photographs and a video consultation. This allows a first assessment and a provisional plan, but it cannot replace an examination. The in-person consultation takes place before the operation, and the plan may change once you have been examined.
Plan the trip around the whole recovery period, not only the day of surgery. Ask how long you need to stay in Istanbul, when the stitches come out and how follow-up works once you are home. Bring copies of your medical records, and mention any health concerns before you book flights.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to decide on the day of the consultation?
No. The consultation is for information and planning. Most patients take days or weeks to decide, and that is normal.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. A partner, friend or relative can help you remember details and may ask questions you had not thought of. Part of the examination can take place in private if you prefer.
What if I have had surgery in the same area before?
Bring every record you can find. Previous operations change the anatomy, the scar tissue and the blood supply, and the plan has to take them into account.
Booking a consultation
If you are considering surgery and would like to understand your options, you are welcome to book a consultation with Dr. Mehmet Özdemir at his practice in Ataköy Towers, Bakırköy, Istanbul. Consultations are held in Turkish, English or German, and the aim is a clear, honest plan based on your examination, whatever you decide afterwards.
