After you’ve decided on the clinic and doctor who you think is the best to perform your tummy tuck procedure, it’s time to book your consultation. To prepare for your consultation, bring the concerns and questions you may have on a piece of paper, so you may refer to them if you forget. After all, in the natural flow of conversation some things may be overlooked, and it’s better to have everything you’d like to know right in front of you, so you can make sure you’ve gotten all the answers you want. You should ask questions such as:

What is the surgical facility like?
What are the credentials and experience of the surgeon?
What should I do to prepare for surgery?
Can I see any before and after photos?
What is the process of this clinic in accepting and treating patients?

The consultation generally takes place in person at the surgical facility, where you’ll be speaking to the actual surgeon at our clinic. They typically take up to an hour, depending on the number of questions and concerns you may have.

During the consultation, you should expect to be frank and straightforward with your responses so that the consultant or surgeon understands exactly what you want. You’ll probably discuss:

your expected outcome of surgery
what you want to achieve
what are things you may be uncomfortable with
your medical history
your appearance now (you’ll probably have to show the concerns you have. Don’t worry, the consultation is performed in a private room in a professional setting).
the surgery
the recovery process
costs

You may be given consent forms and a patient care package if you’re serious about going ahead with the surgery, but this is normally provided to you after payment.

After your consultation, go home, think about what was discussed, and then decide. It’s always better to think about it for a few hours, at least, before you book your surgery with a particular clinic or doctor.

If you’ve decided that the clinic and surgeon are right for you and that the consultant or surgeon has approved surgery, then you’re ready to move on to the next step: booking your surgery.