Plastic Surgery Consultation and Second Opinion
A consultation is not where it is decided which operation will be performed; it is where the available options are discussed, together with what each does and does not deliver. It includes examination, photo analysis and an explanation of the risks — including the option of not having surgery. Requests for a second opinion on surgery planned at another clinic are welcomed; this is a patient's right and should not be received as an affront.
What happens at the consultation
The first stage is examination: tissue elasticity, volume distribution, symmetry and any functional findings are assessed. Photo analysis follows — this is needed both for planning and for later comparison.
Options are then discussed. A complaint usually has more than one solution, and each carries a different cost, recovery time and risk profile. Not having surgery is one of those options and should be presented as such.
A decision made without the risks being explained is not an informed decision. Every procedure has its own complications, its own likelihood of further surgery and its own reality of scarring.
What you should ask
The following questions deserve to be asked at every consultation. If you cannot get a clear answer to them, that in itself is information.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is your specialty registration number? | Plastic surgery is a distinct specialty; it should be verifiable |
| Where will the operation take place? | It should hold a hospital or surgical centre licence |
| Will an anaesthetist be present? | Mandatory under general anaesthesia |
| How often do you perform this procedure? | Experience affects the result |
| What happens if there is a complication? | Follow-up and responsibility should be clear |
| What happens if I don't have surgery? | Not operating is also an option |
| Where will the scar be and how long? | A permanent outcome; it should be known beforehand |
| Might further surgery be needed? | Likely with some procedures |
Second opinion
If surgery has been planned at another clinic, seeking a second opinion is your right. A second opinion is not sought to overturn the first plan but to put the decision on solid ground.
Bringing your previous examination findings, the name of the proposed operation and any written plan makes the assessment easier.
Two surgeons proposing different techniques is not a contradiction; the same problem can have more than one valid solution. What matters is that the surgeon can explain why the proposed technique suits your anatomy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to decide at the consultation?
Is it rude to seek a second opinion?
Two surgeons are proposing different things — which is right?
What should I bring to the consultation?
What happens to my photographs?
If I'm shown a simulation, will the result look like that?
Related pages
Surgery & AestheticsAll surgical procedures and decision guides.Op. Dr. Selman TaşkınPlastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist · Reg. No 150440Our ClinicNişantaşı, Istanbul · by appointment only.The information on this page is for general guidance and does not replace an examination. Every patient's anatomy, medical history and expectations differ; suitability can only be determined through examination.
KVKK Aydınlatma Metni · Gizlilik Politikası · Çerez Politikası