April 7, 2026
Beauty and the Beasts | Episode 12 The Plastic Surgery Consultation What Patients Should Expect
Beauty and the Beasts | Episode 12 The Plastic Surgery Consultation What Patients Should Expect
In this episode of Beauty and the Beasts, plastic surgeons Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Salvatore Pacella focus on one of the most important and often overlooked parts of plastic surgery: the patient consultation.
For many patients, the first consultation with a plastic surgeon can be intimidating. Most arrive having spent hours researching procedures online and often come in with specific operations already in mind. Dr. Jejurikar and Dr. Pacella explain why the consultation should not be about asking for a particular procedure, but instead about clearly communicating concerns, goals, and what is bothering the patient physically or emotionally.
The discussion explores how experienced plastic surgeons approach consultations, starting with open ended questions and careful listening. The surgeons emphasize the importance of rapport and trust, explaining that plastic surgery is often a concierge style relationship involving significant interaction before, during, and after surgery. If a patient does not feel comfortable or heard during the consultation, that is a signal not to move forward.
A major portion of the episode focuses on the physical examination and why it remains essential in plastic surgery. Dr. Pacella explains how face to face interaction, hands on examination, and tissue manipulation guide surgical planning in ways that imaging and electronic medical records cannot replace. The surgeons contrast this with trends in other areas of medicine where computer documentation often replaces direct patient engagement.
Common patient questions that should be addressed during consultations are discussed, including safety, recovery, implant related concerns, and long term expectations. The surgeons highlight the importance of proactively discussing breast implant associated conditions, including lymphoma and breast implant associated illness, and being honest about what is known and what remains uncertain in the medical literature.
The episode also addresses the financial side of plastic surgery consultations, including third party financing options and how patients can prepare in advance to understand costs and affordability. The role of three dimensional imaging is explored, with discussion of how modern imaging tools can enhance communication, improve physical assessment, and help patients visualize anatomy and asymmetries rather than serve as exact predictors of surgical outcomes.
Finally, the surgeons stress the importance of board certification and recovery education. They explain why board certification reflects advanced training and voluntary standards, and why patients must fully understand recovery timelines and physical demands before committing to surgery.
This episode is ideal for patients considering plastic surgery, those preparing for their first consultation, and anyone who wants a clearer understanding of how to choose a surgeon and get the most value from the consultation process.
Subscribe for honest, experience driven conversations on plastic surgery, patient education, and evidence based care.
In this episode of Beauty and the Beasts, plastic surgeons Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Salvatore Pacella focus on one of the most important and often overlooked parts of plastic surgery: the patient consultation.
For many patients, the first consultation with a plastic surgeon can be intimidating. Most arrive having spent hours researching procedures online and often come in with specific operations already in mind. Dr. Jejurikar and Dr. Pacella explain why the consultation should not be about asking for a particular procedure, but instead about clearly communicating concerns, goals, and what is bothering the patient physically or emotionally.
The discussion explores how experienced plastic surgeons approach consultations, starting with open ended questions and careful listening. The surgeons emphasize the importance of rapport and trust, explaining that plastic surgery is often a concierge style relationship involving significant interaction before, during, and after surgery. If a patient does not feel comfortable or heard during the consultation, that is a signal not to move forward.
A major portion of the episode focuses on the physical examination and why it remains essential in plastic surgery. Dr. Pacella explains how face to face interaction, hands on examination, and tissue manipulation guide surgical planning in ways that imaging and electronic medical records cannot replace. The surgeons contrast this with trends in other areas of medicine where computer documentation often replaces direct patient engagement.
Common patient questions that should be addressed during consultations are discussed, including safety, recovery, implant related concerns, and long term expectations. The surgeons highlight the importance of proactively discussing breast implant associated conditions, including lymphoma and breast implant associated illness, and being honest about what is known and what remains uncertain in the medical literature.
The episode also addresses the financial side of plastic surgery consultations, including third party financing options and how patients can prepare in advance to understand costs and affordability. The role of three dimensional imaging is explored, with discussion of how modern imaging tools can enhance communication, improve physical assessment, and help patients visualize anatomy and asymmetries rather than serve as exact predictors of surgical outcomes.
Finally, the surgeons stress the importance of board certification and recovery education. They explain why board certification reflects advanced training and voluntary standards, and why patients must fully understand recovery timelines and physical demands before committing to surgery.
This episode is ideal for patients considering plastic surgery, those preparing for their first consultation, and anyone who wants a clearer understanding of how to choose a surgeon and get the most value from the consultation process.
Subscribe for honest, experience driven conversations on plastic surgery, patient education, and evidence based care.