Start With the Questions That Matter
Before choosing plastic surgery, ask about the surgeon’s qualifications and experience with your specific procedure, whether it fits your goals, what alternatives are available, and what risks, recovery, and costs to expect. A consultation is a chance to gather clear information and decide whether the plan feels right, not a commitment to schedule surgery.
Preparing questions in advance can help you make good use of the visit and keep the conversation focused on your priorities. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ consultation checklist recommends researching the procedure and surgeon, then discussing credentials, experience, risks, and postoperative care directly.
This guide covers how to prepare, what to ask about a surgeon’s training and care arrangements, and how to weigh potential benefits against risks, recovery, and cost. At Madison Plastic Surgery, consultation with Dr. Robert M. Tornambe, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and practicing aesthetic surgery in New York City since 1988, is an opportunity to discuss whether a proposed approach suits your anatomy and expectations.
What to Expect at a Consultation
A consultation is a private conversation about your goals, health, and concerns, followed by an assessment of the area you are considering treating when appropriate. It gives you a chance to understand possible options and decide whether you feel comfortable with the proposed next steps, without committing to surgery.
Bring a written list of questions, relevant medical information, and a complete list of medications and supplements, including vitamins and herbal products. A trusted companion can help you take notes and remember details. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons consultation checklist encourages patients to discuss goals, candidacy, the surgical setting, recovery, and how complications would be managed.
The discussion may cover treatment options and their potential benefits and risks, the type of anesthesia involved, where surgery would take place, recovery expectations, and follow-up care. Ask who will be involved in your care and how to reach the practice with questions. You should have time to take notes, consider the information, and follow up later if questions arise.
At Madison Plastic Surgery, Dr. Robert M. Tornambe personally sees patients from consultation through recovery. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has practiced aesthetic surgery in New York City since 1988. A consultation is an opportunity to learn about his recommendations and care arrangements, then decide in your own time whether to proceed.
Verify Training and Procedure Experience
American Board of Plastic Surgery certification is an important credential to verify, but it does not replace questions about a surgeon’s experience with the specific procedure you are considering. It indicates specialty training and examinations, not a guarantee of any individual result.
Ask whether the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, rather than relying on a general title or an unspecified claim of board certification. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ surgeon-selection guidance explains why patients should identify the certifying board and verify the credential.
Certification is only one part of your assessment. Ask how often, and how recently, the surgeon performs the procedure, and whether they have treated patients with concerns or anatomy similar to yours. You can also request relevant before-and-after photographs. These examples may help you understand the surgeon’s approach, but they cannot predict your result, which depends on your individual anatomy and carries procedure-specific risks.
Dr. Robert M. Tornambe is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has practiced aesthetic surgery in New York City since 1988. At Madison Plastic Surgery, patients can ask about his experience with their specific procedure and discuss how the proposed plan, risks, and care arrangements relate to their needs.
Ask About Goals, Options, and Candidacy
A sound treatment plan begins with your goals, anatomy, health, and expectations, not with a procedure chosen in advance. Ask whether you are a suitable candidate, what approach the surgeon recommends and why, and what that approach can and cannot realistically change.
Explain what is bothering you, what you hope to improve, and why you are considering surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons advises discussing goals and expectations openly so you and your surgeon can decide whether a procedure is appropriate and set realistic aims. Your anatomy may also shape the recommendation, and the best option may differ from the one you initially had in mind. ASPS consultation guidance
Ask what alternatives could address your concern, including a less extensive operation or a nonsurgical option, and why one choice may suit you better. At Madison Plastic Surgery, Dr. Robert M. Tornambe's less-is-more philosophy centers on matching treatment to each patient's anatomy and goals. A candid discussion may conclude that a requested procedure is not warranted or that waiting is the more appropriate choice.
If more than one procedure is proposed, ask what each is intended to accomplish and whether combining them is appropriate for your health and circumstances, or whether treatment should be staged. The reasoning should be clear, including how the plan may affect recovery and follow-up. You should be able to raise concerns, ask for clarification, and take time to consider the recommendation without pressure.
For further reading on how candidacy depends on individual goals and assessment, see tummy tuck candidacy. When you are ready to discuss your own options, book a private consultation with Dr. Tornambe at 815 Park Avenue.
Understand Benefits, Risks, and Recovery
Cosmetic surgery may change a feature that concerns you, such as its shape, size, or symmetry, and some people feel this supports their confidence. The potential benefit depends on the procedure, your anatomy, and realistic expectations. A facelift, for example, cannot guarantee a particular appearance or improve every aspect of self-image; results vary, and photographs show examples rather than promises.
Ask about risks specific to the procedure and your health. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, anesthesia problems, scarring, changes in sensation, and uneven or unsatisfactory results. Mayo Clinic’s overview of cosmetic surgery also emphasizes weighing risks, recovery demands, and expectations before deciding.
Discuss how complications would be managed, what recovery may involve, which activities may be limited, and how follow-up works. Ask whom to contact with concerns and what options may be available if you are dissatisfied. Dr. Robert M. Tornambe, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and practicing aesthetic surgery in New York City since 1988, personally sees patients from consultation through recovery.
Madison Plastic Surgery has an AAAASF-accredited in-office operating room. Ask about the facility’s accreditation, safety arrangements, and how they apply to your particular procedure. Understanding the care plan, including its limits and risks, gives you a clearer basis for deciding whether to proceed.
Book a private consultation with Dr. Tornambe at 815 Park Avenue or call (212) 628-7600.
Prepare Your Health and Recovery Details
Prepare for surgery by discussing your health history and practical recovery needs with your surgeon, then follow the instructions given specifically for you. Bring an accurate account of allergies, previous operations, current or past medical conditions, and every medication and supplement you take.
Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. These details can affect planning for surgery and anesthesia. Do not stop, start, or change a medication on your own; ask your care team what, if anything, should be adjusted.
Preoperative advice depends on your health, the procedure, and the planned anesthesia. Ask whether you need testing, whether any medication changes are appropriate, and what instructions apply to nicotine or smoking. Avoid treating general online advice as a personal medical plan. At Madison Plastic Surgery, Dr. Robert M. Tornambe, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and practicing aesthetic surgery in New York City since 1988, personally sees patients from consultation through recovery.
Recovery planning is part of preparation. Confirm how you will get home, whether someone should stay with or assist you, what activities may be restricted, when follow-up visits are expected, and whom to contact with concerns. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends discussing recovery expectations and needed assistance as part of the consultation checklist: questions to ask your plastic surgeon. Follow the directions your surgeon and care team provide for your individual procedure. To take the next step, book a consultation with Dr. Tornambe to discuss your specific needs.
Common Questions
What factors determine the cost of a plastic surgery procedure? The procedure’s type and complexity, the surgical work and time required, the surgeon’s fees, and the location and facility can all affect an estimate. Ask whether the estimate includes anesthesia, facility charges, and follow-up care. A consultation can provide a personalized estimate based on your needs.
Can I combine this procedure with other cosmetic treatments? Many patients choose to combine procedures to achieve their desired results in a single surgical session. Combining treatments can reduce overall recovery time and may be more cost-effective. Dr. Tornambe will discuss which combinations are safe and appropriate during your consultation.
How long will it take to see the final results? Initial results are visible once swelling subsides, typically within a few weeks. Final results may take several months as the tissues fully heal and settle. Your surgeon will provide a timeline based on your specific procedure and healing progress.
Take the Time to Decide
A sound decision rests on clear answers about a surgeon’s qualifications, your options, the risks, recovery, and the full cost. You should feel informed and comfortable, not pressured, and no one should promise a perfect result. Take time to consider what you have learned and decide whether the plan fits your goals.
Book a private consultation with Dr. Tornambe at 815 Park Avenue, or call (212) 628-7600.
