Self-Help

What to Expect From a Virtual Plastic Surgery Consultation

Steven Goldberg

22 Dec 2025 — 7 min read

Updated December 2025

Virtual consultations make it easier to explore surgery with top surgeons—without travel, time off, or childcare scrambling. Done well, a virtual visit can clarify candidacy, narrow techniques, outline safety systems, and map your recovery timeline. Done poorly, it’s a quick sales call with vague promises. This guide shows you exactly how a high-quality virtual consult should run: what you’ll do beforehand, how the video visit flows, which photos and measurements matter, the questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and the documents to collect before you commit.

Start With Safety (Virtual Doesn’t Lower the Bar)

Whether you meet on Zoom or in person, basic safety pillars never change:

True board certification. For plastic surgery, look for American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certification—recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Hospital privileges. Your surgeon should hold active privileges for the procedure you’re considering—peer oversight and a transfer pathway for rare emergencies.
Accredited facility. Surgery should occur in an operating site accredited by AAAASF, The Joint Commission (JCAHO), or AAAHC. Ask for the current certificate and the most recent inspection date.
Qualified anesthesia, present the entire case. An MD anesthesiologist or CRNA should be in the room start-to-finish with modern monitoring (ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and capnography for moderate/deep sedation).

If any of these are unclear, pause. A convenient video call doesn’t compensate for weak systems.

Before the Call: Your Virtual-Consult Prep Checklist

1) Technology

Stable internet on a laptop or tablet (bigger screen = better).
Quiet, private, well-lit space; tripod or shelf for steady framing.
Test audio/video and screen-share (you’ll review photos and diagrams).
Confirm the platform is secure (unique link, password, no public recording).

2) Photos and Short VideoMost practices request standardized images in advance. Follow their instructions; if none are provided, use this baseline:

Lighting: Bright, indirect daylight or front-facing soft light.
Background: Plain wall; camera at chest or eye level.
Framing/angles:
- Face: front, right/left ¾, right/left profile; neutral expression; hair pulled back; for eyelids, eyes open and gently closed.
- Breast: front with arms relaxed; front with hands on hips; right/left oblique; side profile.
- Abdomen/flanks: front; ¾; profile both sides; include from just below chest to mid-thigh.
- BBL/lipo: front; back; both ¾; both profiles; include waist through mid-thigh.
Video (10–20 sec): Slow turn showing posture and natural movement when relevant (jawline/neck, waist/hips).

3) Measurements (if requested)

Height/weight; recent bra size and ribcage measurement; waist/hip circumference; for rhinoplasty, note breathing issues.
List prior surgeries, allergies, meds/supplements (GLP-1s, anticoagulants, hormones), nicotine exposure, and medical conditions (sleep apnea, diabetes, thyroid, autoimmune).

4) Your one-page brief

Three goals (one sentence each) and non-negotiables (“preserve identity,” “low, concealable scar,” “shape over size”).
Acceptances (trade-offs you’ll tolerate): thin scar ok, mild asymmetry ok, longer recovery ok for durability.
3–5 “like” + 1–2 “avoid” photos matched to your starting anatomy with a note on why.

Send everything through the practice’s secure portal—not regular email, if possible.

How a High-Quality Virtual Consult Typically Flows

Introductions & privacy check: Confirm who’s present. The surgeon confirms the platform isn’t being recorded without consent.
Goal restatement: You share your brief; the surgeon restates your top goals and boundaries in their own words.
Photo/video review: The surgeon reviews your standardized images, explains anatomical findings (skin elasticity, cartilage support, diastasis, fat distribution), and checks anything unclear that will require in-person confirmation.
Options and trade-offs: You’ll hear technique options, what each achieves, and what each won’t fix—linked to your goals and lifestyle. For combined cases, the surgeon covers time limits and staging criteria.
Proof: You should see comparable, standardized before/after photos of patients like you—with visible scars and timepoints at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months.
Recovery & logistics: Expect realistic windows (work-capable vs. photo-comfortable), restrictions (lifting, garments, positioning/off-loading), and after-hours access.
Safety systems: Accreditation body + inspection date; anesthesia provider presence and monitoring standards; active hospital privileges.
Next steps: If you’re a candidate, you’ll schedule an in-person exam before surgery for measurements, consent, and final planning. You’ll also receive documentation by email.

No pressure to book same day.

What Can and Can’t Be Decided Virtually

Usually can:

Preliminary candidacy and plan outline
Technique direction and staging vs. combining
Recovery timeline, garment/positioning education
Preliminary pricing and policy review
Ordering pre-op imaging or specialty clearances

Usually can’t (until in person):

Final measurements (skin pinch, soft-tissue quality, implant sizers)
Scar placement markings
Breathing tests for functional rhinoplasty
Hernia evaluation or detailed diastasis mapping
Final consent and medical clearance

Virtual = plan draft; in-person = plan final.

Questions to Ask During Your Virtual Consultation (Copy/Paste This Table)

Topic	Example Question
Goal alignment	“Can you restate my top three goals and the trade-offs I’m accepting?”
What this plan won’t do	“For my anatomy, what will this plan not fix?”
Technique & staging	“Which technique fits my goals and what criteria would make you stage procedures?”
Photo proof	“Please show standardized photos at 6 weeks/3 months/12 months with scars visible on patients like me.”
Recovery reality	“When am I work-capable vs. photo-comfortable, and what restrictions will I have?”
Safety systems	“Which accredited facility will we use, who provides anesthesia (present the entire case), and what monitoring is standard?”
Risk prevention	“What is your DVT and infection protocol, and how do you handle seroma/hematoma the same day?”
After-hours access	“If I’m worried at 10 pm, who do I contact and how quickly do I hear back?”
Policies & pricing	“What is your written revision policy, and may I have an itemized quote by email?”
In-person step	“What remains for the in-person exam before surgery (measurements, markings, testing)?”

Capture answers verbatim. Specifics > slogans.

Virtual-Specific Red Flags

Salesy mini-calls (10–15 minutes) for major surgery with no time for questions.
No request for standardized photos or reluctance to discuss limits until after a deposit.
Photo games: only early “after” pics, no scars, no time labels, no patients like you.
Safety opacity: can’t name accreditation or last inspection; no assurance of continuous anesthesia presence; no mention of capnography for moderate/deep sedation.
Policy fog: no written revision policy, no itemized quote, vague cancellation terms.
Pressure tactics: same-day discounts; pushing add-ons you didn’t request.
Privacy corners cut: public links, no consent language, casual handling of your images.

Two or more? Thank them and schedule another opinion.

Turning a Virtual Consult Into a Clear Plan (Documents to Request)

Ask the practice to email the following so you can review calmly at home:

Goal summary in the surgeon’s words, including your boundaries and accepted trade-offs
Draft technique plan and staging criteria for combined surgeries
Comparable, standardized photos (scars visible; 6 weeks/3 months/12 months)
Scar map examples and a timed scar-care protocol
Recovery roadmap (work/drive windows by job type; garments; positioning/off-loading rules when relevant)
Risk-reduction plan (DVT prevention, infection control, same-day hematoma/seroma response)
Facility accreditation (body + inspection date), anesthesia presence/monitoring, and hospital privileges confirmation
After-hours contact and follow-up schedule
Written revision policy (timing, criteria, typical costs)
Itemized quote (surgeon, anesthesia, facility, garments/meds, likely extras; payment/cancellation terms)
In-person exam checklist (what they must verify before final consent)

If documentation doesn’t arrive—or arrives thin—proceed cautiously.

Procedure-Specific Nuances in Virtual Planning

Facelift/Neck Lift

Virtual review can map goals (jawline, neck bands, hairline/sideburn preservation).
In-person exam confirms skin laxity, neck depth, and blood pressure strategies.
Expect standardized photos with hair pulled back at multiple angles.

Rhinoplasty

Virtual can assess aesthetic direction; function (breathing) needs in-person evaluation.
Thick skin requires clear expectation setting about timeline to definition.
Ask about tip support, alar base, and frontal and profile photo proof.

Breast Lift/Augmentation/Reduction

Virtual can clarify shape goals, lift vs. implant trade-offs, and scar patterns.
In-person confirms measurements, tissue quality, and sizes if implants are planned.
Ask for long-term photos showing scar evolution.

Abdominoplasty

Virtual can identify diastasis concerns and low-scar strategy.
In-person confirms hernia, exact skin excess, and drain vs. drainless plan.
DVT prevention and garment choreography are key topics.

Liposuction/BBL

Virtual can outline zones and philosophy (conservative volume, smooth transitions).
In-person confirms pinch thickness, skin quality, and strict off-loading rules.
Discuss operative time limits and staging 360° cases when indicated.

Blepharoplasty

Virtual can map “rested, not different” goals and crease preferences.
In-person checks dry-eye risk, lid laxity, and precise measurements.
Confirm lubrication and screen-time guidance early.

How to Compare Two Virtual Consults Objectively

Create a one-page matrix with columns for each surgeon and score (1–5) on:

Goal alignment (did they restate accurately?)
Technique rationale tied to your anatomy/lifestyle
Clarity about limits and staging criteria
Quality of standardized photo proof (scars visible, time-labeled, patients like you)
Recovery roadmap (work-capable vs. photo-comfortable)
Safety transparency (accreditation, anesthesia presence/monitoring, hospital privileges)
Policy strength (revision, after-hours, itemized quote)
Your comfort level (respectful, unrushed, privacy-aware)

Totals aren’t everything, but patterns make decisions clearer.

Virtual Etiquette and Privacy Best Practices

Clothing: Wear fitted, plain clothing that reveals the area appropriately; avoid patterns that hide contours.
Lighting and framing: If the surgeon can’t see clearly, you can’t get a reliable plan—adjust as asked.
Consent: Confirm how your photos are stored and whether they’ll be used for teaching (default to “no public use”).
Support person: You can invite someone to listen; let the team know in advance.
No recording without mutual permission; request a written summary instead.

FAQs

Can a surgeon schedule surgery after a virtual consultation only?
Ethical practices require an in-person exam before surgery for measurements, markings, and final consent. Virtual sets direction; in person finalizes.

Are virtual consults good for second opinions?
Yes. They’re excellent for comparing philosophies, staging criteria, and recovery expectations—just send standardized photos first.

What if my photos aren’t perfect?
Do your best; the surgeon will tell you if they need retakes. Clear, standardized images improve accuracy.

Is pricing from a virtual consult accurate?
Expect a range until your in-person exam. Itemized quotes should clarify what could change (e.g., added time, garment needs).

How long should a real virtual consultation be?
Typically 20–40 minutes for focused cases; complex plans may need longer or a follow-up call. Anything too short to cover safety, options, and recovery is a red flag.

Your Virtual-Consultation Checklist (Print and Use)

I confirmed ABPS certification, hospital privileges, accredited facility, and qualified anesthesia with continuous presence and modern monitoring.
I prepared standardized photos/video, key measurements, a medication list, and a one-page goals/acceptances brief with “like/avoid” images.
The surgeon restated my goals, explained limits, and mapped techniques to my anatomy and lifestyle.
I reviewed standardized, time-labeled photos with scars visible on patients like me.
I received a recovery roadmap, risk-reduction plan, after-hours contacts, and an itemized quote—all in writing.
I know exactly what the in-person exam will finalize before surgery.
There was no pressure to book; a follow-up Q&A was welcomed.

Find Your Match

Ready to make your virtual consultation productive—and pressure-free? AestheticMatch connects you with board-certified, pre-vetted plastic surgeons who operate in accredited facilities and deliver clear documentation, so you can plan with confidence from your living room.