The desire to have plastic surgery is usually accompanied by questions, expectations and fears.
Which procedure would be indicated? How does the consultation work? What tests will be needed? When is the quote presented? What will recovery be like?
The patient journey exists to organize these steps with clarity.
At Linhares Plástica, the process does not begin with the choice of a technique. It begins with understanding the complaint, the anatomy, the health conditions, the expectations and the reality of each patient.
Patients do not schedule a ready-made surgery. They schedule an assessment to build an individual plan.
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Every journey is individual
The general steps are similar, but the path is not identical for everyone.
Depending on the assessment, it may be necessary to:
- run additional tests
- control a clinical condition
- stabilize weight
- stop using nicotine
- organize a support network
- adapt the technique
- divide the treatment into stages
- postpone the surgery
- choose a different alternative
- not perform the procedure at that time
02
Step 01. First contact
The start of the conversation with Linhares Plástica. During the first contact, the team seeks to gather the initial information needed to guide the appointment.
You may be asked for:
- name
- city
- main complaint
- area of interest
- surgery or treatment you would like information about
- preference for care in Toledo, Palotina, or via telemedicine
- best time to be contacted
03
Step 02. Scheduling
Choosing the best format for your appointment. Consultations can be carried out in different formats.
Toledo. In-person consultations, assessments, follow-up visits and monitoring.
Palotina. Consultations and assessments on scheduled dates.
Telemedicine. A remote consultation for patients from other cities or who need this option.
A telemedicine consultation can allow for listening, an initial assessment, discussion of possibilities, indication, and presentation of the quote. However, in many cases, an in-person assessment will be necessary to examine the tissues and confirm the plan before surgery.
To confirm the reservation of your time slot, a deposit is requested, which is deducted from the total cost of the consultation. See addresses on the locations page.
04
Step 03. Consultation
The consultation begins with listening and usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.
Before examining or suggesting a technique, Dr. André seeks to understand:
- what bothers you
- when this perception began
- what change you want
- what you would like to preserve
- what your fears are
- how you imagine the result
- how much time you have to recover
- what your routine is like
- who will be able to help you afterward
05
Step 04. Assessment and indication
Understanding the cause before choosing the treatment. After the initial conversation, an assessment of the anatomy and structures related to the complaint is carried out.
Depending on the region, the following may be analyzed:
- skin
- fat
- gland tissue
- musculature
- abdominal wall
- tissue quality
- scars
- volume
- position of structures
- asymmetries
- body proportions
- previously used procedures or materials
Based on this analysis, Dr. André can explain
Medical photographs may be taken at the first consultation or during the pre-operative assessment.
- what really makes up the complaint
- what can be improved
- what limitations exist
- what alternatives can be considered
- where the scars will be located
- what recovery will be like
- what risks need to be discussed
- what result is compatible with the anatomy
At the end of this step, it may be determined that
- there is an indication for the desired surgery
- another technique would be more appropriate
- it will be necessary to combine procedures
- the treatment should be divided into stages
- some condition needs to be corrected beforehand
- the surgery should be postponed
- there is no indication at that time
06
Step 05. Surgical planning and quote
Each surgery needs its own plan. The cost of a surgery is not defined only by the name of the procedure.
Two people seeking an abdominoplasty, mastopexy or liposuction may need different surgeries in terms of:
- duration
- complexity
- extent
- techniques
- materials
- technologies
- combination of procedures
- anesthesia
- hospital stay
- care before and after the operation
Once the indication is defined, the plan may include
- main procedure
- associated techniques
- estimated surgical time
- hospital
- anesthesia
- team
- materials
- implants, when indicated
- technologies
- specific pre-operative care
- specific post-operative care
The quote is generally presented on the same day
After the consultation with Dr. André, the patient speaks with the team's nurse, who explains:
- the breakdown of the values
- the structure involved
- payment methods
- administrative steps
- preparation
- next steps
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Step 06. Decision and organization
Time to understand and decide. Receiving an indication does not obligate the patient to have surgery.
After the consultation, it is possible to:
- reflect on the plan
- talk with family
- review the scars
- organize the time off
- assess the support network
- clarify questions
- reconsider priorities
- use the included follow-up visit within 30 days
08
Step 07. Pre-operative tests and preparation
Preparing the body and the routine. After the decision, the tests and evaluations compatible with the procedure and with the patient's clinical conditions are requested.
Preparation may involve:
- laboratory tests
- imaging tests
- cardiology or other specialist assessment
- nutritional assessment
- medication adjustments
- organizing thrombosis prevention
- controlling anemia or deficiencies
- planning the hospital admission
- preparing the support network
- organizing time off work
- purchasing compression garments or bras, when indicated
- signing the informed consent forms
- signing the service agreement
The consent forms record the main points discussed
The consent forms are part of the information and decision process, covering:
- the proposed procedure
- alternatives
- risks
- limitations
- scars
- recovery
- possible complications
- need for follow-up
- individual variability of results
Documents and instructions
The service agreement organizes the administrative aspects related to the surgical plan.
These documents do not replace the conversation held during the consultation and the pre-operative visits. They complement and formalize the information discussed with the team.
The use of cigarettes, vapes, hookahs and other nicotine products must be stopped at least 30 days before surgery and remain suspended for at least 30 days afterward.
Medications should not be stopped on your own. Any change must be guided by the responsible team.
09
Step 08. Pre-operative confirmation
Final review of the plan. Before surgery, the plan is reviewed.
This step may include:
- checking the test results
- confirming clinical conditions
- reviewing the technique
- final alignment of expectations
- taking pre-operative photographs
- pre-operative marking
- fasting instructions
- arrival time
- hospital admission
- medications
- companion
- appropriate clothing
- care for the operated area
- expected recovery
- warning signs
- organizing follow-up visits
The pre-operative photographs help
- with medical documentation
- with the analysis of proportions
- with recording existing asymmetries
- with planning
- with monitoring progress
The pre-operative marking allows a direct review on the body
Marking can be done before entering the operating room, according to the proposed surgery.
- the areas that will be treated
- the anatomical landmarks
- the asymmetries
- the limits of the procedure
- important points of the plan
- the expected position of the scars, when applicable
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Step 09. Surgery
Procedure performed in Toledo. Surgeries are performed at Hospital Campagnolo, in Toledo.
The hospital has a full structure for surgical care, including:
- operating room
- post-anesthesia recovery
- possibility of hospital stay
- Intensive Care Unit, if needed
Involved in the care
- Dr. André Linhares
- surgical team
- instrumentation
- anesthesiologist
- nursing staff
- hospital professionals
During the procedure
Monitoring and prevention measures compatible with the surgery and with individual risk are adopted.
Surgical time and hospital stay depend on the complexity and extent of the procedure and on the clinical course.
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Step 10. Post-operative period
The surgery ends, but the care continues. Post-operative care is an active part of the treatment.
Dr. André encourages every patient to walk early, including on the same day as surgery, when their clinical conditions allow it.
Recovery may involve:
- pain control
- thrombosis prevention
- bleeding observation
- assessment of healing and the surgical wound
- supervision and changing of dressings
- swelling control
- use of compression garments or bras
- physical therapy and drainage, when indicated
- hyperbaric oxygen therapy in selected surgeries
- gradual return to activities
- scheduled visits
- reporting any changes
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Step 11. Follow-up visits and monitoring
The result evolves over time. Follow-up visits allow monitoring of:
- healing
- the surgical wound
- dressings
- swelling
- temporary asymmetries
- sensitivity
- scars
- tissue adaptation
- use of compression garments
- return to work
- driving
- exercise
- evolution of the result
In the first few weeks
Follow-up can occur over the short, medium and long term, according to the procedure and each patient's needs. The result does not appear completely on the day of surgery. In the first few weeks, there is a progressive evolution. The patient generally begins to:
- reduce swelling
- regain more independence
- gradually increase activities
- return to some everyday tasks
Over time, the tissues continue to
Feeling well does not mean that all tissues are already completely healed. Activities should be resumed according to individual clearance.
- heal
- adapt to the new contour
- regain sensitivity
- mature the scars
- stabilize the result
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A journey built by a team
Safety is built through communication, transparency and cooperation among everyone involved.
Front-desk team
Guides the first contact, identifies the city and the initial need, and organizes the scheduling.
Dr. André Linhares
Conducts the listening, the assessment, the indication, the planning, the surgery and the medical follow-up.
Linhares Plástica nurse
Explains the financial aspects, takes part in organizing the preparation, and stays in direct contact during the post-operative period.
Hospital team
Takes part in the anesthesia, assistance during surgery, recovery and hospital stay.
Patient and support network
Take part in the decision, the preparation, following the instructions and organizing recovery.
Frequently asked questions
No. You can reach out to the team knowing only what bothers you.
The final cost depends on the plan, the duration, the techniques, the structure, the materials and the required care. That is why it is defined after the assessment.
Yes. However, in many cases, an in-person assessment will be necessary before final confirmation of the plan.
No. The consultation exists to assess, inform and guide.
Yes. The surgery may be postponed, modified, divided into stages, or not indicated.
At Hospital Campagnolo, in Toledo.
Yes. The patient receives direct contact from the nurse for guidance and to organize follow-up.
The result evolves progressively. The time depends on the surgery, the tissues, the swelling, the healing and the individual response.
Your journey begins with a conversation. The first step is not choosing a technique.
It is understanding your complaint, assessing your anatomy, and finding out which plan is compatible with your goals, your health and your capacity for recovery.
The result begins long before the surgery: it begins with listening, diagnosis, planning, preparation and an informed decision.
Next step
Have your case assessed by Dr. André Linhares.
Indication depends on an individual medical assessment. Book a consultation to understand what is possible in your case.
Content reviewed by Dr. André Linhares - Physician, Plastic Surgeon | CRM-PR 31.110 | RQE-PR 29.720. Membro da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica.
Last review: agosto de 2026.
This content is educational and does not replace a medical consultation. Indication depends on an individual assessment. Plastic surgery involves risks, limits, scars and recovery time.
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