The consultation

Plastic surgery consultation: listening, assessment and individual planning

Before choosing a surgery, it is necessary to understand the patient. The consultation usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

The consultation does not begin with the indication of a technique, the choice of an implant, or the presentation of a quote. It begins with listening.

Patients do not schedule a technique. They schedule an assessment to find out which plan makes sense for their case.

01

The consultation begins with listening

Before examining, Dr. André seeks to understand:

  • what bothers the patient
  • how long this complaint has existed
  • what change the patient wants
  • what her fears are
  • how she imagines the result
  • how the surgery would fit into her routine
  • how much time she has to recover
  • who will be able to help her during the post-operative period

02

A medical consultation is not just a quote

Listening makes it possible to identify not only the physical complaint, but also the expectations, concerns and priorities involved in the decision.

The quote is a consequence of the planning. Before discussing values, it is necessary to understand what problem will be treated, which techniques could be used and what structure will be required to perform the surgery safely.

During the consultation, the goal is to:

  • listen to the patient
  • understand her complaint and her goals
  • assess her anatomy
  • review her health history
  • identify the components of the problem
  • compare alternatives
  • align expectations about the result
  • explain scars, risks, limitations and recovery
  • define whether there is a surgical indication
  • advise when surgery should be postponed, divided into stages, or not performed

03

Why is listening so important?

This assessment cannot be replaced by a single question about price.

Two patients might approach the clinic using exactly the same phrase: “I want to improve my belly.” However, this complaint can represent different situations, such as:

  • localized fat
  • excess skin
  • diastasis
  • sagging
  • abdominal wall alteration
  • visceral fat
  • previous scars
  • changes after pregnancy
  • a combination of several factors

04

Aligning expectations: one of the most important steps

Beyond anatomy, every person has their own motivations, fears and expectations. Some want a discreet change. Others seek a broader transformation. Some fear scars. Others are more concerned about recovery, about their children, or about time away from work. Listening carefully allows planning to consider the person as a whole, not just one body region.

A surgery can be technically well performed and still not match what the patient imagined before the procedure. That is why, during the consultation, it is not enough to ask which surgery she wants. It is necessary to understand what result she believes that surgery will produce.

Aligning expectations involves discussing:

  • desired result
  • achievable result
  • anatomical limitations
  • skin and tissue quality
  • pre-existing asymmetries
  • necessary scars
  • volume that can be removed or added
  • time course of the result
  • swelling
  • sensitivity changes
  • possible differences between sides
  • individual variability in healing
  • situations in which a future refinement might be considered

05

Social media references and photographs

The goal is not to diminish the patient's enthusiasm, but to allow her to make an informed decision.

Photographs can help the patient explain what she considers beautiful, natural, defined, full, or proportional. They can be used as a communication tool, but not as a promise of reproduction.

Every result depends on factors such as:

  • bone structure
  • musculature
  • fat distribution
  • amount and quality of skin
  • shape of the breasts or buttocks
  • previous scars
  • body proportions
  • individual response to surgery

06

What happens during the consultation?

A photograph shows a preference. It does not turn two different anatomies into equivalent cases.

The consultation usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. This period allows for a detailed conversation, physical assessment, discussion of possibilities and clarification of the main questions.

1. Listening to the patient

The first step is understanding:

  • what prompted the search for surgery
  • which regions cause discomfort
  • what she wants to preserve
  • what result she imagines
  • what her biggest fears are
  • what her routine is like
  • what her support network will look like
  • which prior medical or surgical experiences she has had

2. Review of health history

Information such as the following is reviewed:

  • illnesses
  • medications
  • allergies
  • previous surgeries
  • prior complications
  • history of thrombosis
  • anemia
  • hormonal changes
  • pregnancies
  • weight fluctuations
  • smoking and nicotine use
  • use of hormones, anabolic steroids or supplements
  • ongoing medical treatments

3. Assessment of the anatomy

The physical examination allows the components of the complaint to be identified. Depending on the region, Dr. André may assess:

  • skin
  • fat
  • gland tissue
  • musculature
  • abdominal wall
  • volume
  • proportions
  • symmetry
  • scars
  • tissue quality
  • position of structures
  • changes after pregnancy or weight loss
  • previously used procedures or products

4. Medical photographs

Photographs may be taken at the first consultation or during the pre-operative assessment. They can help:

  • with medical documentation
  • with the analysis of proportions
  • with comparing the two sides
  • with organizing the plan
  • with monitoring progress

5. Comparing possibilities

The same complaint may have more than one treatment alternative. During the consultation, the following can be compared:

  • benefits
  • limitations
  • scars
  • recovery
  • risks
  • duration
  • need for technologies
  • possibility of associated procedures
  • advantages of dividing the treatment into stages

6. Aligning the achievable result

After understanding the complaint and examining the anatomy, Dr. André explains:

  • what can be improved
  • what may remain
  • which asymmetries can be reduced, but not completely eliminated
  • how the scars will be planned
  • what degree of definition or volume is compatible with the case
  • how the result may evolve over the months
  • which factors can affect recovery

7. Discussion of risks, scars and recovery

The patient needs to know not only the benefits, but also:

  • risks of the surgery
  • possible complications
  • scars
  • expected discomfort
  • need for help in the first few days
  • approximate time off
  • restrictions on driving, working and exercising
  • the importance of follow-up visits
  • pre- and post-operative care

8. Defining the indication

At the end of the assessment, it may be concluded that:

  • there is an indication for the desired surgery
  • another technique would be more appropriate
  • it will be necessary to combine procedures
  • it is safer to carry out the treatment in stages
  • the patient needs to improve a clinical condition beforehand
  • it is appropriate to wait for weight stability, the end of breastfeeding, or another point in time
  • the surgery is not indicated

07

Shared decision

There is no individual planning without a genuine understanding of the patient. Omitted information can directly affect the indication, the anesthesia, the recovery and the safety. Clinical images are handled with privacy and are not used publicly without specific authorization.

It is this analysis that makes it possible to distinguish, for example, when liposuction may be sufficient and when it will be necessary to remove skin, correct the abdominal wall, or combine other techniques. The technique should not be chosen simply because it is trending or because it was performed on someone else.

Communication should be clear, without alarmism and without minimizing important information. Saying “no,” “not yet,” or “not this way” is also part of a responsible assessment.

The surgery should not be defined solely by the patient's wish nor imposed by the physician. The decision is built through the combination of:

  • complaint
  • goals
  • anatomy
  • technical indication
  • health conditions
  • acceptable scars
  • available recovery time
  • risks
  • achievable result

08

Why don't we provide the final surgery price by message?

Dr. André's role is to present the alternatives and provide clear guidance. The decision to proceed needs to be informed and free of pressure.

The cost of a surgery is not defined only by the name of the procedure. Two patients seeking an abdominoplasty, mastopexy or liposuction may need completely different plans.

The final cost depends on factors such as:

  • indicated surgery
  • associated procedures
  • estimated duration
  • complexity
  • hospital
  • anesthesia
  • team
  • materials
  • technologies
  • specific techniques
  • extent of the treated areas
  • care required before and after the surgery
  • possibility of performing the treatment in one or more stages

09

Every patient and every surgery are unique

That is why providing a price before the assessment could generate an inaccurate estimate and lead the patient to compare proposals that do not represent the same surgery.

Even when the name of the procedure is the same, the surgery can vary in:

  • time
  • difficulty
  • number of areas
  • need for skin removal
  • combination of techniques
  • type of implant or material
  • use of technologies
  • hospital structure
  • specific care
  • recovery planning

10

What is involved in the surgical quote?

One patient may need only one technique. Another may need a more complex combination to properly treat her complaint. The quote needs to correspond to the surgery that is actually indicated, not to a standardized package.

The quote is not just the price of a procedure. It corresponds to a plan that may involve:

  • surgeon
  • team
  • anesthesia
  • hospital
  • materials
  • implants, when indicated
  • technologies
  • specific pre-operative care
  • specific post-operative care

11

Comparing only the lowest price can create a false sense of savings

The cost is also influenced by the time required to safely perform the procedure. That is why the quote is built after the medical assessment and the definition of the surgical plan.

Researching prices is part of the patient's financial planning. However, comparing only numbers, without knowing what each proposal includes, can lead to comparing different surgeries.

A lower estimate may reflect:

  • a different technique
  • less time
  • fewer areas
  • the absence of associated procedures
  • different materials
  • a different hospital structure
  • fewer resources
  • different pre- and post-operative care

12

How is the quote presented?

The patient generally receives the quote on the same day as the consultation. After the assessment with Dr. André, she speaks with the team's nurse, who explains in detail:

  • the breakdown of the values
  • hospital
  • anesthesia
  • materials
  • technologies
  • expected care
  • payment methods
  • administrative steps
  • next steps

13

Follow-up visit included

Separating the medical decision from the financial explanation allows each subject to receive the time and attention it needs.

The consultation includes a follow-up visit within 30 days. This visit can be used to:

  • review the plan
  • clarify questions that arose after the consultation
  • talk with the companion
  • reconsider a decision
  • continue organizing the surgery

14

Telemedicine consultation

The follow-up visit does not create an obligation to have surgery. The patient should have room to reflect and decide calmly.

Linhares Plástica offers telemedicine consultations. This option can make it easier to care for patients who:

  • live in other cities
  • have difficulty traveling
  • want an initial assessment before organizing the trip
  • need to involve a companion who is in another location

15

Can I bring a companion?

Yes. The presence of a companion is welcome and encouraged. This can be:

  • a husband, wife or partner
  • a family member
  • a friend
  • someone supporting the decision
  • someone who will help during the post-operative period

16

How to prepare for the consultation?

A companion can help by listening to the guidance, remembering questions, understanding the recovery, organizing the routine, taking part in preparation, and offering emotional and practical support. The decision still belongs to the patient, but a good support network can make the process safer and calmer.

Write down your questions

During the conversation, it is common to forget some questions. It may help to bring a list of questions about:

  • techniques
  • scars
  • anesthesia
  • risks
  • recovery
  • work
  • children
  • exercise
  • results
  • hospital
  • costs

Reflect on what really bothers you

Try to identify:

  • what your main complaint is
  • what you would like to preserve
  • what change you consider important
  • what scars you would accept
  • what your biggest fears are
  • how much time you have to recover

Bring recent test results

We encourage patients to bring all recent test results they have available, even if they were requested by other physicians.

They can help in understanding the health history and guide the need for new evaluations.

Report all medications and substances used

Include:

  • prescribed medications
  • hormones
  • contraceptives
  • anabolic steroids
  • supplements
  • weight-loss products
  • nicotine
  • occasionally used substances

Bring references sensibly

Photographs can help explain preferences, but should not be considered guaranteed models for the result.

They will be used to understand what the patient likes or does not like.

Consider bringing whoever will help you afterward

This person's presence can make it easier to plan the recovery and understand the instructions.

It is not necessary to arrive already knowing the name of the surgery. Do not stop taking medications on your own.

17

Where do consultations take place?

Toledo. In-person consultations, assessments, follow-up visits and post-operative care, at Rua General Rondon, 2367, Jardim La Salle. Surgeries are performed at Hospital Campagnolo, in Toledo.

Palotina. Consultations and assessments on scheduled dates, at Av. Presidente Kennedy, 1280, Centro. When there is a surgical indication, the procedure is planned to take place in Toledo.

Telemedicine. Remote consultation for patients from other cities or who need this option. In many cases, an in-person assessment will be necessary before final confirmation of the plan.

Full addresses, maps and directions are on the locations page.

18

Paying for the consultation and reserving your time slot

Different payment methods are accepted, including:

  • cash
  • PIX
  • card
  • bank transfer

Frequently asked questions

No. You can come to the consultation knowing only what bothers you. The purpose of the assessment is to identify the components of the complaint and compare treatment possibilities.

A good surgery begins with an honest conversation. The consultation is the moment to be heard, to understand your anatomy, to align expectations and to learn the real possibilities for your case.

More than choosing a technique, you will be building an individual, informed and responsible decision.

Before indicating a surgery, it is necessary to listen. Before presenting a quote, it is necessary to plan. Before operating, it is necessary to align expectations with clarity.

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.

Schedule a consultation

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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