A surgical consultation is not just an opportunity for your surgeon to assess you — it is equally an opportunity for you to assess your surgeon. The questions you ask, and the answers you receive, will tell you a great deal about whether this is the right person and the right plan for you.
Here are the questions I think every patient should feel comfortable asking before committing to facial surgery.
About Qualifications and Training
Are you a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery? In New Zealand, the title “cosmetic surgeon” is not legally protected. FRACS (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) is the recognised specialist qualification and requires completion of an accredited surgical training programme. It is a meaningful distinction.
What does your training include beyond general plastic surgery? A background in craniofacial or reconstructive surgery indicates a deeper understanding of facial anatomy at every layer — something that translates directly into safer, more precise cosmetic outcomes.
How long have you been performing this specific procedure? Experience with a particular operation matters. A surgeon who performs a high volume of facelifts or rhinoplasties develops a consistency and judgement that breadth alone does not provide.
About the Procedure Itself
Will you personally perform my surgery, or will a trainee be involved? This is a fair and important question. In a teaching hospital environment, trainees may be involved in parts of a procedure. Understanding the extent of that involvement allows you to make an informed decision.
What technique do you use, and why is it appropriate for me? There are multiple approaches to most facial procedures. A surgeon who can explain their reasoning — why a deep plane facelift rather than a SMAS lift, for example, or why fat grafting would or would not complement your result — demonstrates both knowledge and genuine engagement with your individual anatomy.
What are the realistic risks and limitations of this procedure for me specifically? Every surgical procedure carries risk. A surgeon who gives you a thorough, honest answer to this question — including risks specific to your health history and anatomy — is one you can trust. Be cautious of consultations where risk is minimised or glossed over.
What happens if I am not happy with the result? Understanding how revision or complications are managed, and whether there are additional costs involved, is important before you commit.
About Recovery and Logistics
How long will I need to take off work, and when can I resume exercise and normal activities? Recovery timelines vary by procedure. For a facelift, most patients are comfortable in social settings at around four to six weeks; for eyelid surgery, often sooner. Getting realistic expectations early helps you plan properly.
Where will my surgery take place, and what anaesthetic will be used? Accredited surgical facilities and experienced anaesthetists are part of what makes an operation safe. Understanding the setting — and whether you will need an overnight stay — is worth clarifying upfront.
What are all the costs involved, and what does the surgical fee include? A transparent breakdown should cover the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist, hospital or facility fees, and follow-up care. At this practice, follow-up consultations for up to one year post-operatively are included in the surgeon’s fee.
About the Result
Can I see examples of your results in patients with a similar concern to mine? Before and after photographs of real patients — ideally those with similar anatomy or the same procedure — give you a realistic sense of what outcomes look like in practice. When you come to the consultation with me, I have a number of before and afters that we can look at and I try to find someone who has a similar face to yours. I find that patients are reluctant to share their images on the web as New Zealand is quite small and most value their privacy but often they are happy for me to show their images with people wanting the same as it can really help with the decision making process and give confidence to a new patient.
What would you not do, and why? A surgeon willing to tell you what they would recommend against, and explain why, is one thinking about your best outcome rather than simply confirming what you want to hear. That candour is worth a great deal.
A good consultation leaves you feeling informed, unhurried, and genuinely confident in the plan. If you leave feeling pressured, unclear, or as though your questions were not fully answered, trust that instinct.
I welcome all of these questions. If you would like to discuss your goals and explore whether facial surgery is right for you, book a consultation at the practice.