How to Spot Unrealistic Promises in Plastic Surgery Consultations
Updated November 2025
A great plastic surgery consult is educational, not salesy. It should clarify what’s possible for your anatomy, show honest results and scars, and explain risks along with prevention plans. When a consultant leans on hype “scarless,” “no downtime,” “guaranteed results,” “we can do it all in one go,,” you’re not hearing medicine, you’re hearing marketing. This guide shows you how to separate credible recommendations from unrealistic promises. You’ll learn how to verify board certification, evaluate photos, interrogate anesthesia and facility safety, and ask questions that expose fluff. You’ll also get a checkable list of red flags, a prep plan, FAQs, and a patient-first closing checklist.
Start with Non-Negotiables (So Hype Can’t Distract You)
Board certification (ABPS/ABMS). For plastic surgery, prioritize surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). This is not the same as unrecognized “cosmetic boards.” ABPS status confirms accredited training, rigorous exams, and ongoing ethics/education.
Hospital privileges. Active privileges at a local hospital add independent peer oversight and a transfer pathway for rare emergencies.
Accredited operating facility. Look for accreditation by AAAASF, The Joint Commission (JCAHO), or AAAHC. Accreditation audits anesthesia standards, sterile processing, medication safety, emergency equipment, and transfer agreements.
Qualified anesthesia presents the entire case. Confirm an MD anesthesiologist or CRNA (per state/practice model) is present start-to-finish with modern monitoring (ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and capnography for moderate/deep sedation).
The Hype Decoder: Phrases That Should Make You Pause
“Scarless” procedures for surgeries that require incisions. Scars can be small and well-placed, but moving or removing tissue creates a scar. Honest surgeons discuss location, closure technique, and scar care, and show timeline photos (3/6/12 months).
“No downtime,” “lunchtime facelift,” or “back to work tomorrow” for major operations. Real surgery needs recovery. Desk work may resume fairly soon for some procedures, but “no downtime” is a sales pitch, not a plan.
“Guaranteed results” or “perfect symmetry.” Biology has variability. Ethical surgeons give ranges and revision policies, not guarantees.
“Today-only discount if you book now.” Urgency tactics are for retail, not healthcare. Good practices encourage thoughtful decisions and second opinions.
“We can add more procedures, no problem” (without revisiting time limits and risk). Combining surgeries can be safe, but total time, positioning, blood loss, and your support network must be considered. If those aren’t discussed, that’s a red flag.
Vague anesthesia and facility details. If the team can’t name the anesthesia provider or prove accreditation and inspection dates, the safest answer is “no.”
Spot the Subtle Stuff: How Photos Get Used to Oversell
Mismatched lighting and angles. Before images shot close up with harsh overhead light vs. flattering afters at a distance, this is presentation bias. Ask for standardized views.
No scars in sight. If incisions are never shown, or hair/makeup strategically hides them, request honest images or timepoint photos in the office.
Only early “after” photos. Two to six weeks post-op can look either amazing (swelling volume) or underwhelming (not settled). You need 3–12-month examples for truth.
No diversity. If the gallery shows one body type, one skin tone, or one age range, ask for matched cases like yours. Consistency across varied anatomies beats a single unicorn result.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation (Cuts Through Hype)
Why this works: Specifics replace slogans. If answers stay vague—or sound too good to be true—you’ve found your answer.
Red Flags That Mean “Walk Away”
- No ABPS certification or reluctance to verify.
- Non-accredited facility or unclear anesthesia presence/monitoring.
- Refusal to discuss risks, DVT prevention, or emergency plans.
- “Scarless,” “no downtime,” “perfect symmetry,” or guarantees.
- Pressure to book today; mega-discounts for adding procedures.
- Only early “after” photos; scars never shown; no matched cases.
- No written revision policy, thin follow-up schedule, or no after-hours number.
- Dismissiveness about your health profile (hormones/HRT, thyroid/diabetes, OSA/CPAP, nicotine) or home support limits.
Two or more red flags? Seek a second opinion.
How to Prepare (So You’re Not Swayed by Sales Tactics)
Make a one-page brief.
- One-sentence goal per area (“subtle bridge refinement,” “low, concealable tummy tuck scar,” “upper-pole fullness without dramatic size change”).
- Top 3 priorities + 3 acceptances (e.g., “thin scar,” “mild asymmetry,” “longer recovery for better contour”).
- 3–5 “like” photos + 1–2 “avoid” photos that match your starting anatomy.
- Work/life constraints (return-to-work window, childcare, travel).
- Full list of meds/hormones/supplements; nicotine exposure; prior anesthesia issues.
Set a pace rule. “I don’t make same-day decisions. Please send all the documents so I can review them at home.”
Bring verification links. Keep your verification links handy to check ABPS status and facility accreditation.
Plan note-taking. With permission, record or bring a checklist. Request written policies (scar care, revision, DVT prevention, after-hours contacts).
How Ethical Surgeons Talk (So You Can Recognize the Right Fit)
- They define limits (“This won’t erase stretch marks,” “Your skin quality means a lift, not lipo alone”).
- They offer ranges (“Work-capable at 10–14 days; photo-comfortable ~3–6 weeks; final at 6–12 months”).
- They disclose risks with prevention plans (DVT scoring, compression, early ambulation, antibiotics when indicated, strict sterile protocols).
- They show standardized photos across timepoints and body types, with scars visible and explained.
- They suggest staging if time, safety, or support is borderline.
- They invite second opinions and provide documents without pressure.
What Makes a Facility Safe (Beyond the Lobby Look)
Accreditation bodies
- AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities)
- The Joint Commission (JCAHO)
- AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care)
Expect to see (and hear):
- A qualified anesthesia professional presents the entire case
- Continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, and capnography (for moderate/deep sedation)
- Emergency equipment (defibrillator/crash cart), temperature management, medication safety, and transfer agreements
- Staff trained in BLS/ACLS and documented drills
- Your surgeon holds hospital privileges
If a practice cannot show accreditation and inspection dates or can’t name the anesthesia provider, decline.
Common Scenarios Where Unrealistic Promises Show Up
“We can do everything in one day.” Combination surgery can be safe, but only within a defined time window, blood-loss and positioning limits, and with robust DVT prevention. Ask for the max elective time and staging triggers.
“You’ll be back at work in three days” (for major procedures). Ask for job-specific ranges and restrictions (lifting, sitting, garments). Desk ≠ public-facing ≠ manual labor.
“We never need revisions.” Revision rates that are zero either mean the practice never reviews outcomes, or they’re not being transparent. Ethical teams discuss how and when touch-ups are considered.
“We don’t really get into risks, it scares patients.” Skipping risks is the biggest red flag of all. Informed consent is not optional.
Turning the Consult Into Documentation (Receipts, Not Promises)
Before you leave (or by email soon after), request:
- Goal summary in the surgeon’s words
- Scar map (location, visibility strategies) and scar-care protocol with timepoints
- Recovery roadmap (work-capable vs. photo-comfortable, lifting/sitting limits, garment timelines, positioning rules)
- Anesthesia details (provider credentials, monitoring, PONV prevention, multimodal pain plan)
- DVT prevention (compression devices, early ambulation, medication if indicated)
- Revision policy (timing, criteria, costs)
- After-hours contacts and follow-up schedule
- Itemized quote (surgeon, anesthesia, facility, garments/meds, potential extras)
No documents? No booking.
FAQs (use FAQPage schema in your CMS)
Are “scarless” surgical results ever real? Small, strategically placed scars can be hard to see over time, but surgery that moves or removes tissue creates a scar. Honest teams show where, how it evolves, and how to care for it.
What’s a realistic claim about downtime? It depends on the procedure and your job. Many patients are work-capable earlier than they’re photo-comfortable. Your surgeon should provide ranges and restrictions.
Is a guarantee ever appropriate? No. Medicine deals in risk and biology, not guarantees. Reputable practices share revision policies and outcome ranges.
How do I know if a discount is a red flag? Limited-time pressure for major surgery is suspect. Transparent pricing, not urgency, should drive decisions.
What if I already paid a deposit but feel uneasy now? Ask for documents you’re missing (accreditation, anesthesia plan, revision policy). If you don’t receive them, or trust is broken, consider pausing and seeking a second opinion per your agreement terms.
Your “No Hype” Consultation & Safety Checklist
- I verified ABPS certification and hospital privileges.
- I confirmed facility accreditation (AAAASF/JCAHO/AAAHC) and inspection date.
- I met (or will meet) the anesthesia provider; I understand monitoring standards.
- I saw comparable, standardized photos with time labels and visible scars.
- I received a recovery roadmap, scar-care plan, and after-hours contacts.
- I obtained a written revision policy (timing, criteria, costs).
- I have an itemized quote (surgeon, anesthesia, facility, garments/meds, potential extras).
- I understand DVT prevention, staging triggers, and max elective time if combining procedures.
- I set a review date aligned with healing windows (not week-2 emotions).
- I committed to no same-day booking; I’ll review calmly and seek a second opinion if needed.
Find Your Match
Ready for straight talk and zero hype? AestheticMatch connects you with ABPS-certified, pre-vetted plastic surgeons who operate in accredited facilities and deliver transparent, realistic guidance.
